Most Jaguar S-Type VINs open with SAJ (the United Kingdom, 2000–2008). Position 11, the plant, shows 7 codes, most often F (58%); a 2008 S-Type carries 8 in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 10 recall campaigns and 389 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Jaguar S-Type VIN
Here is a real 2007 Jaguar S-Type VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN SAJWA01A07FN74542 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Jaguar S-Type VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
Every Jaguar S-Type we have on record, from 2000 to 2008, opens with the same three characters, SAJ:
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAJ | 2000–2008 | United Kingdom | Passenger Car |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Jaguar S-Type it is not one number either — assembly moved between 7 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 2000–2008 | 221 | |
| G | 2000–2004 | 82 | |
| H | 2003–2008 | 48 | |
| 1 | 2001–2006 | 22 | |
| L | 2000–2001 | 3 | |
| W | 2006–2007 | 3 | |
| X | 2002–2003 | 3 |
Counted from 385 dated Jaguar S-Type VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Jaguar S-Type
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Jaguar S-Type has not yet outlived: its 9 years still map one-to-one. All 9 model years of the Jaguar S-Type, 2000 to 2008, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
| 2005 | 5 | — |
| 2004 | 4 | — |
| 2003 | 3 | — |
| 2002 | 2 | — |
| 2001 | 1 | — |
| 2000 | Y | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Jaguar S-Type VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 13 VINs the Jaguar S-Type uses 13 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | W (54%) · E (15%) · A (15%) · D (8%) · 0 (8%) | 5 distinct |
| 5 — series | A (92%) · 0 (8%) | 2 distinct |
| 8 — engine | A (31%) · M (23%) · T (15%) · B (15%) · D (8%) · U (8%) | 6 distinct |
What a decoded Jaguar S-Type VIN gets you
Behind a Jaguar S-Type VIN: 389 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 10 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 389 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 19 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 9 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Jaguar S-Type
A Jaguar S-Type VIN normally opens with SAJ; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Jaguar S-Type VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 10 recall campaigns and 389 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Jaguar S-Type.
What year is my S-Type by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2008 S-Type carries 8, a 2007 S-Type carries 7, a 2006 S-Type carries 6.
Where was my S-Type built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 384 dated Jaguar S-Type VINs it reads F 58%, G 21%, H 13%, 1 6% and 3 rarer codes.
What does position 4 mean on a Jaguar S-Type VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 13 Jaguar S-Type VINs here, W is the most common character in position 4, on 54% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Jaguar S-Type check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with SAJ. A plate that starts with anything else, or disagrees with the other copies of the number, needs documents checked before any money changes hands.
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