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OEM Number vs. VIN Number
Oct
The OEM number and VIN number have become two indispensable concepts in the automotive industry. These two codes may seem shrouded in mystery, yet they contain detailed information that is crucial for vehicle identification and maintenance. Whether you are a car owner or a technician, if you're curious about how the automotive industry operates, we will delve into the meanings of OEM numbers and VIN numbers, as well as how they can help you better understand your vehicle and its parts.
- What is OEM Number?
- Structure of the OEM Number
- How to Find the Required OEM Part Number
- OEM Parts, EM Parts, Aftermarket Parts
- What is VIN?
What is OEM Number?
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) is an internationally recognized designation for automotive parts that serves to identify vehicle components, the country of origin of the vehicle manufacturer, the product identification series, and the manufacturer of the parts themselves. When a vehicle requires a part replacement, consumers can accurately find the necessary parts for replacement or repair. However, it’s important to note that these parts may not necessarily come from the vehicle manufacturer; some are produced by subcontracting factories.
OEM Manufacturing
OEM manufacturing refers to manufacturers that produce parts under a contractual agreement, where the subcontracted factory’s components are considered original parts as long as they have the approval of the original manufacturer. In the process of automotive parts production, we can find that the same factories used by manufacturers to produce vehicles also produce parts, and through outsourcing, other companies that have signed commercial agreements with that brand may also manufacture these parts.
Benefits of Purchasing OEM Parts
- Advanced Technology Manufacturing
- Precise Specifications
- High Quality
- Market Value Retention
- Reduced Installation Time and Increased Vehicle Longevity
- Enhanced Vehicle Safety Factor
The OEM number provides detailed information, such as the manufacturer, dimensions, model, and other specifications. These specifications determine the accuracy of the appearance of the original parts.
Structure of the OEM Number
The OEM number consists of 13 digits, each with its own meaning and corresponding search function. Before explaining the structure of the OEM number, it’s important to note that the first 9 digits are mandatory, while the remaining 4 digits are optional. We can break it down into four parts:
- First Part (1-3): The first three digits of the OEM number represent the vehicle or engine in which the part is installed. The arrangement of these numbers varies depending on the vehicle model. For example, 1H0 represents the Volkswagen Golf III, while 1U0 represents the Skoda Octavia.
- Second Part (4-6): The fourth to sixth digits refer to the component or part group to which the spare part belongs.
- Third Part (7-9): The next three digits represent a specific identifier for the part itself.
- Fourth Part (10-13): The remaining four digits are optional. For instance, the "color code" can consist of three digits that represent a specific color for the part, such as B41 for black or Q70 for light beige.
How to Find the Required OEM Part Number
There are several methods to find the OEM part number or other related numbers for the parts you need for your vehicle. For example, you can directly contact the original manufacturer and specifically inform them of the OEM part number you are looking for, or you can check the parts inside the vehicle, as they are usually stamped with numbers. Additionally, you can search online through various automotive parts apps or simply input the OEM number, and relevant companies will provide you with the parts you need.
Visit CARICO to search for the OEM part number you need.
OEM Parts, EM Parts, Aftermarket Parts
Do you know the differences between OEM, EM, and aftermarket parts (often referred to as aftermarket components)? Let’s take a look!
- OEM Parts: These parts are different because they are directly installed on the cars coming off the production line. Therefore, they undergo stringent quality control between the parts manufacturer and the automaker.
- EM Parts: For this type of part, the manufacturer selects the original manufacturing factory based on the price, quality, technology, and manufacturing capabilities provided by the suppliers. (This means that the manufacturer outsources the production of OEM parts to other factories.)
- Aftermarket Parts: Lastly, it's important not to overlook the significance of aftermarket parts. These factories produce any car parts for any model or brand based on the OEM parts provided by dealers, offering discontinued parts for many older vehicles in the market. Since aftermarket parts are usually cheaper, many people choose them for cost considerations.
What is VIN?
The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique identifier composed of 17 characters. From this code, you can determine information about the owner, fines, whether the vehicle has been in an accident, or if it has been involved in any legal issues.
VIN Number Structure
First Character: Geographical Location
The first character represents the geographical region where the vehicle was manufactured. For example:
| Region | Number |
|---|---|
| North America | 1,2,3,4,5 |
| Oceania | 6,7 |
| South America | 8,9,0 |
| Africa | A – H |
| Asia | J -R |
| Europe | S – Z |
Second Character: Country of Manufacture
The second character is used to identify the country where the vehicle was manufactured, corresponding to the first character. Here are some examples:
| Number | Country |
|---|---|
| 1A-10 | United States (USA) |
| 2A-20 | Canada |
| 3A-37 | Mexico |
| 8A-8E | Argentina |
| 9A-9E | Brazil |
| JA-J0 | Japan |
| VF-VR | France |
| ZA-ZR | Italy |
Third Character: Vehicle Manufacturer
The third character indicates the manufacturer of the vehicle, relating to the country of manufacture. To identify where the vehicle was made, refer to the first three characters. Examples include:
| Number | Region | Country | Vehicle Manufacturer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3VW | North America | Mexico | Volkswagen |
| WVW | Europe | Germany | Volkswagen |
| JHM | Asia | Japan | Honda |
| 1FD | North America | United States (USA) | Ford |
| 8AP | South America | Argentina | Fiat |
Fourth to Eighth Characters: Vehicle Description
Characters four through eight provide details about the vehicle, such as body type, engine, wheelbase, and other specifications. This information is not globally standardized but follows specific rules or formats established by each country or manufacturer.
Tenth to Seventeenth Characters: Unique Vehicle Identification
Characters ten through seventeen serve as a unique identifier for each vehicle, with no fixed format; they are established by the manufacturer. The tenth character typically indicates the vehicle's model year, while the eleventh character identifies the manufacturing plant.
| Year | Code |
|---|---|
| 1980 | A |
| 1981 | B |
| 1982 | C |
| 1983 | D |
| 1984 | E |
| 1985 | F |
| 1986 | G |
| 1987 | H |