Chevrolet C6 VIN Decoder

Decode any Chevrolet C6 VIN free: model year, plant, body and engine codes, read from 1 real C6 VINs.

NHTSA · ISO 3779 · 1999–1999 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

A Chevrolet C6 VIN opens with 1GB (the United States). A 2009 C6 carries 9 in position 10.

How to read a Chevrolet C6 VIN

Here is a real 1999 Chevrolet C6 VIN from our database, split into its parts:

1–3 · WMI1GB
4–8 · VDSJ6H1C
9 · Check8
10 · YearX
11 · PlantJ
12–17 · Serial100026

VIN 1GBJ6H1C8XJ100026 — decoded free on its own report page.

FIG.01·Chevrolet C6 VIN structure
PositionSectionWhat it tells you
1–3WMIWorld Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type.
4–8VDSVehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series.
9Check digitA calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN.
10Model yearOne character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z.
11PlantThe assembly plant that built the car.
12–17SerialSequential production number of this exact vehicle.
ROWS 6·SOURCE ISO 3779 / NHTSA vPIC

Where Chevrolet C6 VINs say the car was built

The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 1 Chevrolet C6 VINs we have on file, these are the codes that actually show up — and the plants behind them:

FIG.02·Chevrolet C6 assembly by VIN prefix
WMIBuilt inVehicle typeVINs on fileShare
1GBUnited States—1100%
ROWS 1·SOURCE NHTSA vPIC · ForCar decoded VINs

Country and vehicle type come from the NHTSA manufacturer registry. Share is measured across VINs decoded on ForCar, not production volume.

Model-year codes for the Chevrolet C6

Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Chevrolet C6 has not yet outlived: its 29 years still map one-to-one. All 29 model years of the Chevrolet C6, 1981 to 2009, with the character each one carries:

FIG.03·Chevrolet C6 VIN model-year codes
Model yearVIN character (position 10)Same character as
20099—
20088—
20077—
20066—
20055—
20044—
20033—
20022—
20011—
2000Y—
1999X—
1998W—
1997V—
1996T—
1995S—
1994R—
1993P—
1992N—
1991M—
1990L—
1989K—
1988J—
1987H—
1986G—
1985F—
1984E—
1983D—
1982C—
1981B—
ROWS 29·SOURCE ISO 3779

Body and engine characters we see on Chevrolet C6 VINs

Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 1 VINs the Chevrolet C6 uses 3 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:

FIG.04·Chevrolet C6 VIN body and engine characters
PositionCharacters seen on real VINsVariety
4 — bodyJ (100%)1 distinct
5 — series6 (100%)1 distinct
8 — engineC (100%)1 distinct
ROWS 3·SOURCE ForCar decoded VINs

What a decoded Chevrolet C6 VIN gets you

What a decoded VIN opens up:

FIG.05·Chevrolet C6 data available by VIN
DataFor this modelSource
Recall campaigns6 campaignsNHTSA
Model years covered29 yearsForCar catalog
ROWS 2·SOURCE NHTSA · EPA · ForCar

Where to find the VIN on a Chevrolet C6

A Chevrolet C6 VIN normally opens with 1GB; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.

FIG.06·Chevrolet C6 VIN locations
WhereHow to see itWhy it matters
Dashboard, driver sideThrough the windshield, bottom cornerEasiest to check before you touch anything
Driver door jambOpen the door, sticker on the pillarAlso lists tire pressures and build date
Under the hoodFirewall or strut tower plateSurvives a windshield replacement
Title and insurancePaper documentsMust match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel
ROWS 4·SOURCE ForCar
Upgrade to Pro

You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.

  • Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
  • The original window sticker and factory options
  • Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
  • Decode a whole list of VINs at once
  • No ads, no tracking — and much more
Free plan available — no credit card needed

Frequently asked questions

Is this Chevrolet C6 VIN decoder free?

Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 6 recall campaigns NHTSA holds on the Chevrolet C6.

What year is my C6 by its VIN?

Read position 10: a 2009 C6 carries 9, a 2008 C6 carries 8, a 2007 C6 carries 7.

What does position 4 mean on a Chevrolet C6 VIN?

It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 1 Chevrolet C6 VINs here, J is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.

VIN structure per ISO 3779 and NHTSA vPIC. Plant, body and engine characters observed across 1 decoded VINs on ForCar; recalls and complaints from NHTSA. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
Found this useful?

Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.

Prefer ForCar →