Vehicle Identification Numbers

"Vehicle Identification Numbers" or "Chassis numbers"
Until 1980 the vehicle identification was expressed in chassis numbers. When the 17-digit numbers were introduced these numbers were called "Vehicle Identification Numbers" (VIN). On this site no distinction is made between these two expressions. When I use "chassis number" I mean the 17 digit VIN.

17 Digits from 1980/1981 on
At the end of the seventies the VIN of 17 digits was introduced all over the world for all makes of cars. Rolls-Royce didn't replace the system of chassis numbers on the Silver Shadow models, but started with the new numbers on the Silver Spirit models (1980). From model year 1981 on the new VIN was carried through on the Corniche, Continental, Camargue and Phantom VI models too.
On this page the 17-digit VIN system is explained that was implemented on the Rolls-Royce and Bentley models from 1980/1981 on.

The picture on the right shows a 17 digit identification plate of a car for the American market. These plates were fitted on the A-post in the left side door opening. This plate is photographed in the 1989 Silver Spirit SCAZS02A8KCX26429.

Interpretation
In the table below the 17 digits are explained. That is done by using the position in the VIN, read from left to right. As an example I use the VIN of the Silver Spirit SCAZS02A8KCX26429 mentioned above.

Abbreviation
The VIN is mostly abbreviated. There are two ways to do that.
1. In the English oriented registration system (RREC), the last three letters and the serial number behind these letters are taken for abbreviation. The Silver Spirit in this example is abbreviated to KCX26429. In this abbreviation the model year and the position of steering can be read.
2. In the American oriented registration system (RROC), the fifth, the third and the tenth letter (or digit) are taken, followed by the serial number are taken for abbreviation. The Silver Spirit of the example is abbreviated to SAK26429. In this abbreviation the body type, the mark and the model year can be read.

Position	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17
Value	S	C	A	Z	S	0	2	A	8	K	C	X	2	6	4	2	9

Position	Meaning	The possible values and the explanation
1 and 2	Manufacturer	These characters are the "World Manufacturer Identifier - country", which indicates the country of manufacturing. These letters are for every Rolls-Royce/Bentley to 2010 inclusive "SC": S Europe (position 1) C England (position 2).
3	The mark	This is the "World Manufacturer Identifier - marque". A Rolls-Royce B Bentley
4	The line of manufacture based on the chassis- or underframe type	C Bentley Brooklands 2009 D Bentley Azure from 2006 L RR Silver Seraph and Bentley Arnage P RR Phantom VI T Bentley special commission of Brunei (1994, 1996) V Bentley special commission of Brunei (1994, 1996) Y Camargue (till end of production) and Corniche in 1981 and 1982 till number 5036 inclusive, fitted with the SY "half-way house" underframe. Z All other types of Rolls-Royce and Bentley from 1980 (not the Silver Shadow models). Including the Corniche (convertible/II/III/IV) from 1982 (number 5037) onwards and Bentley Continental (from 1984).
5 4 and 5	The body type The model	Below listed in conjunction with digit 4.   B Brooklands 2009-2010: CC B Brooklands   B Azure from 2006: DA B Azure 2006 DC B Azure from 2006, Azure T   RR Silver Seraph and B Arnage 1998-2009: AX B Arnage Armoured (2x based on Arnage RL in 2007) LA RR Silver Seraph LB B Arnage, Arnage Green Label, Arnage 4.4L Birkin LC B Arnage Red Label, Arnage Blue Train, Arnage Diamond Series, Arnage Le Mans, Arnage R, Arnage R Mulliner LD RR Park Ward (2000-2002), B Arnage Red Label Park Ward (2000) LE B Arnage LWB, Arnage RL LF B Arnage Final Series, Arnage T, Arnage T-24 Mulliner LN B Arnage Armoured (2x based on Arnage RL, 1x in 2008, 1x in 2009)   RR Phantom VI (1980-1990): PA RR Phantom VI Protected Limousine PM RR Phantom VI Limousine PT RR Phantom VI Landaulette and Phantom VI Armoured (gepantserd)   Corniche, Continental, Camargue (1981-1982/1987): YD RR and B Corniche convertible (until in 1982, until number 5036) YJ RR and B Camargue (until 1987)   RR Silver Spirit and B Mulsanne (1980-2003): ZA RR Silver Dawn ZB B Continental R (incl R Mulliner, R Le Mans, R Millennium) and Continental S ZC RR Corniche S (1995) and B Continental Turbo (1995) ZD RR Corniche convertible, II, III, IV and B Corniche convertible, both from number 5037 onwards (1982), and B Continental ZE B Eight (from 1987), B Brooklands, B Brooklands R ZF B Brooklands LWB, B Brooklands R LWB ZG RR Flying Spur ZH Special editions, most of them for Brunei like: RR Touring Limousine (1997), Royale, Majestic, Cloudesque, Phantom V (1995); Bentley Spectre, Phoenix, Sports Estate, Silverstone, Monte Carlo, Imperial, Grand Prix, Camelot, Rapier, Buccaneer, Pegasus. TH = B Dominator. VH = B Java. ZK B Azure, Azure Mulliner, Azure Le Mans and RR Corniche (from 2000) ZL RR Silver Spur with division ZN RR and B LWB without division: RR Silver Spur, Spur II, Spur III, Mulliner Spur, Spur Limousine (1982), Spur Centenary; B Mulsanne LWB, Mulsanne S LWB, Mulsanne Turbo LWB; B Turbo L and Turbo RL (until 1989) ZP B Turbo RL (from 1989), Turbo RT, Turbo RT Mulliner ZR B Turbo R (from 1989), Turbo RT SWB, Turbo RT Mulliner SWB ZS RR and B saloon: RR Silver Spirit, Spirit II, Spirit III; B Mulsanne, Mulsanne S, Mulsanne Turbo, Eight (until 1987), Turbo R (until 1989) ZT B Turbo S ZU B Continental T (incl T Mulliner, T Le Mans) ZV RR Silver Spur Park Ward Limousine (from 1996) and B Mulliner Limousine (1999) ZW RR Silver Spur Touring Limousine (from 1992) ZX RR Silver Spur Limousine and B Mulsanne Limousine (1982-1988) ZY RR Silver Spur Division (1997), Spur Non-Division (1998) and B Brooklands Extended wheelbase with division (1997) ZZ B Continental SC, Continental SC Mulliner
6, 7 and 8	US specifications	Specifications in accordance with the American law for the engine type (6), naturally aspirated or turbocharged (7) and the occupant-restraint system (8).
6 and 7	Motor type	(OBD = On-Board Diagnostic system; OBDI until about 1997, OBDII from about 1995, EOBD = Enhanced OBD; L410 etc are motor types)   Model years 1980 - 1995 00 L410I, without turbo (naturally aspirated), without catalyst (until in 1995), with carburetters. From number 20001 (1987) with fuel injection. (L410I is the motor type.) 01 Without turbo (Phantom VI). 02 L410I, without turbo, with catalyst, with fuel injection (from chassis number 20001, 1987). 03 L410MTKR, turbo, with catalyst (from 1988). 04 L410MTER, turbo, without catalyst (from 1988). 05 L410MTKS, turbo, with catalyst (Turbo S). 06 L410MTKS, turbo without catalyst (Turbo S). 0T Turbo, with catalyst (until 1998) 42 Without turbo, with catalyst, with fuel injection (until chassis number 16968, 1987) 80 Without turbo, without catalyst (Bentley Eight) 98 Specification unknown (Dominator, Brunei, 1996) 99 Twin-turbocharged 3.5 liter 32-valve V8 BMW-engine (Java, Brunei, 1994/1996)   From model year 1996 11 L410MN2T, without turbo, with catalyst, Zytek control with OBDII 12 L410MN1T, without turbo, with catalyst, Bosch control with OBDI 13 L410MNLT, without turbo, without catalyst, Zytek control (tolerates lead) 14 L410MT2T, turbo, with catalyst, Zytek control with OBDII 15 L410MT1T, turbo, with catalyst, Zytek control with OBDI 16 L410MTLT, turbo, without catalyst, Zytek control (tolerates lead) 17 L410MN1T/Z, without turbo, with catalyst, Zytek control, traction control 18 L410MN1T/Z, without turbo, without catalyst, Zytek control, traction control   From model year 1997 19 L410MT2V, low pressure turbo, with catalyst, Zytek control with OBDII, without intercooler 20 L410MT1T, low pressure turbo, with catalyst, Zytek control with OBDI, without intercooler 21 L410MTLV, low pressure turbo, without catalyst, Zytek control (tolerates lead), without intercooler 22 L410MT2T/S, turbo, with catalyst, Zytek control with OBDII, intercooler, 400 bhp 23 L410MT1T/S, turbo, with catalyst, Zytek control with OBDI, intercooler, 400 bhp 24 L410MTLT/S, turbo, without catalyst, Zytek control (tolerates lead), intercooler, 400 bhp   From model year 1998 25 L410 MT2W, turbo, with catalyst, Zytek control with OBDII, intercooler, 420 bhp 26 L410 MT1W, turbo, with catalyst, Zytek control with OBDI, intercooler, 420 bhp 27 L410 MTLW, turbo, without catalyst, Zytek control (tolerates lead), intercooler, 420 bhp 28 L410 MT1T/R, low pressure turbo, with catalyst, Zytek control with OBDI, intercooler, 325 bhp   From model year 2000 29 L420 MT2T/R, low pressure turbo with catalyst, OBDII and intercooler, 325 bhp 30 L410 MTLT/R, low pressure turbo without catalyst, with intercooler, 325 bhp 40 Turbo, with catalyst, for the Japanese market only (2003)   Silver Seraph and Bentley Arnage From model year 1998 50 4.4 Liter V8, turbo, without catalyst, intercooler (Arnage from 1999) Twin turbo 6.75 V8, EU4, 450 bhp (Arnage Armoured) 51 4.4 Liter V8, turbo, with catalyst, intercooler (Arnage from 1998) 60 5.4 Liter V-12, without turbo, without catalyst (Silver Seraph from 1999) 61 5.4 Liter V-12, without turbo, with catalyst, OBDII (Silver Seraph from 1998, Park Ward from 2001) 62 5.4 Liter V-12, without turbo, with catalyst, EOBD (Silver Seraph and Park Ward from 2001)   From model year 2000 (Bentley) 31 L410 MT2Y, twin turbo, with catalyst, Zytek control with OBDII, intercooler, 400 bhp 32 L410 MT1Y, twin turbo, with catalyst, Zytek control with OBDI, intercooler, 400 bhp 33 L410 MTLY, twin turbo, without catalyst, Zytek control (tolerates lead), intercooler, 400 bhp   From model year 2002 (Bentley) 34 Twin turbo with catalyst, OBDII, 450 bhp (Arnage T) 35 - 36 Twin turbo without catalyst, 450 bhp (Arnage T) 37 Twin turbo with catalyst, OBDII, 400 bhp (Arnage R, RL) 38 Twin turbo without catalyst, OBDII, 400 bhp (Arnage R, RL) 39 -   From model year 2004 (Bentley) 41 Twin turbo, EU2, 450 bhp, Arnage T from 2004 Twin turbo, LEV II, 530 bhp, Brooklands from 2009 42 Twin turbo, EU2, 400 bhp, Arnage R(L) from 2004 Twin turbo, EU4, 530 bhp, Brooklands from 2009 43 Twin turbo, LEV I/Euro IV, 450 bhp, Arnage R(L) from 2005, Azure from 2006 Twin turbo, EU4, non-OBD, 530 bhp, Brooklands from 2009   From model year 2007 (Bentley) 44 Twin turbo, LEV II, 500 bhp, Arnage R/T from 2007, Azure from 2009 45 Twin turbo, EU4, 500 bhp, Arnage R/T from 2007, Azure from 2009, Azure T from 2010 46 Twin turbo, EU4, non-OBD, 500 bhp, Arnage R/T from 2007 47 Twin turbo, LEV II, 450 bhp, Arnage R(L) and Azure from 2007 48 Twin turbo, EU4, 450 bhp, Arnage R(L) and Azure from 2007 49 Twin turbo, EU4, non-OBD, 450 bhp, Arnage R(L) and Azure from 2007 70 (Arnage RL, 1x in 2005) 92 Twin turbo, EU4, 450 bhp, Arnage RL road speed limited, 1x in 2009   From model year 2010 4A (Brooklands in 2010) 4B (Brooklands and Azure T in 2010)
8	Restraint system code (U.S. requirement)	From 1981 until circa 1990 especially the value A occurs, from 1990 especially the value D but also still the A, from 1994 only the character C occurs. The character B is very rare and doesn't occur after 1989. The character C doesn't occur before 1994. The F occurs for the first time in 2000, the G in 2003, the H in 2006, the J, K and L in 2007 and the M and N in 2009. 0 Until 1987 code for non-American markets. A Active seat belts B Passive front seat belts (only US) C Two airbags D Driver only airbag, active seat belts for the passengers E Two airbags with seatbelt pretensioners F In the front two airbags, two side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners; in the rear side airbags and side curtains G In the front two airbags, two side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners; in the rear side airbags H In the front two airbags, two side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners; in the rear seatbelt pretensioners; a Roll over protection system J In the front two smart airbags, two side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners; in the rear side airbags and side curtains K In the front two smart airbags, two side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners; in the rear side airbags L In the front two smart airbags, two side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners; in the rear seatbelt pretensioners; a Roll over protection system M In the front two airbags, two side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners N In the front two smart airbags, two side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners
9	Check digit	A value from 0 to 9 or an X, an arithmetic result from the rest of the chassis number.
10	Model year	A B C D E F G H J K 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 L M N P R S T V W X 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 Y 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 A B C D E F G H J K 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
11	Plant of manufacture	C Crewe W Willesden, only used for the Phantom VI
12	Position of steering	H Right-hand drive (Homemarket) X Left-hand drive (eXport)
13 to 17	Sequential Serial Number	Sequential identification number, starting with 01001 in 1980 (Spirit) and 01001 in 1998 (Seraph). The chassis numbers that were assigned to the separate models are mentioned in the section about the models. The numbers of a new model or a successor of a model often started on a hundred or a thousand. Series of numbers in the Silver Spirit model range that were not used: 10427 - 12000   (1984) 16971 - 20000   (1987) 27799 - 29000   (1989) 29291 - 30000   (1989) 30639 - 31000   (1990) 36324 - 40000   (1991) 40123 - 40500   (1993) 40534 - 42000   (1994) 42205 - 42500   (1993) 42729 - 44000   (1993) 44589 - 46000   (1992) 46784 - 50000   (1993) 50171 - 50800   (1995) 50811 - 52000   (1995) 52452 - 53000   (1995) 53194 - 53300   (1996) 53515 - 53600   (1997) 53852 - 54000   (1996) 55762 - 56800   (1995) 56861 - 57000   (1995) 58294 - 58500   (1996) 58505 - 59000   (1996) 60323 - 61001   (1997) 61183 - 61500   (1997) 61862 - 61999   (1999) 62666 - 63000   (2001) 63186 - 63300   (1999) 63366 - 63500   (2000) 63578 - 64999   (2001) 65075 - 65100   (1999) 65107 - 66000   (2000) 66434 - 66471   (1998) 66473 - 66496   (1998) 66588 - 67000   (1999) 66751 - 66801   (1998) 66902 - 67000   (1998) 67114 - 67147   (1999) 67149 - 67200   (1999) 67228 - 67500   (2000) 67539 - 80000   (2001) 68174 - 68500   (2000) 68622 - 80000   (2001) 80057 - 80100   (1993) 80138 - 80200   (1995) 80260 - 80400   (1998) 80404 - 80500   (1997) 80542 - 80700   (1998) 80721 - 80800   (1998) 80802 - 00999   (1999) 01119 - 01149   (2002) 01239 - 01499   (2003) 01526 - 01549   (2002) 01560 - 01749   (2003) 01796 - 01850   (2002) 01877 - 01999   (2003) 02080 -             (2002) Series of numbers in the Seraph/Arnage model range that were not used: 03052 - 04000   (1999) 06787 - 07500   (2001) 07516 - 07550   (2000) 07652 - 07909   (2001) 07911 - 07999   (2001) 08855 - 08899   (2002) 09662 - 09700   (2003) 10060 - 10099   (2004) 10979 - 11099   (2005) 11687 - 11999   (2006) 12571 - 12599   (2007) 12951 - 13499   (2008) ?        - 18999   (2010) 19121 - 19149   (2002) 19195 - 19202   (2003) 19256 - 19300   (2004) 19366 - 19399   (2005) 19450 - 19499   (2006) 19531 - 19549   (2007) 19592 - 19599   (2008) 19680 -             (2009)

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