Most Volvo S40 VINs open with YV1 (Sweden, 2000–2011). Position 11, the plant, shows 2 codes, most often F (53%); a 2011 S40 carries B in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 12 recall campaigns and 377 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Volvo S40 VIN
Here is a real 2011 Volvo S40 VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN YV1672MS0B2543315 — 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. |
Volvo S40 VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
Every Volvo S40 we have on record, from 2000 to 2011, opens with the same three characters, YV1:
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YV1 | 2000–2011 | Sweden | Passenger Car |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Volvo S40 it is not one number either — assembly moved between 2 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | 2000–2004 | 200 | |
| 2 | 2002–2011 | 175 |
Counted from 375 dated Volvo S40 VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Volvo S40
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Volvo S40 has not yet outlived: its 13 years still map one-to-one. All 13 model years of the Volvo S40, 1999 to 2011, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
| 2005 | 5 | — |
| 2004 | 4 | — |
| 2003 | 3 | — |
| 2002 | 2 | — |
| 2001 | 1 | — |
| 2000 | Y | — |
| 1999 | X | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Volvo S40 VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 10 VINs the Volvo S40 uses 13 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | M (40%) · 3 (40%) · V (10%) · 6 (10%) | 4 distinct |
| 5 — series | S (40%) · 8 (40%) · W (10%) · 7 (10%) | 4 distinct |
| 8 — engine | S (50%) · 4 (20%) · K (10%) · 3 (10%) · 2 (10%) | 5 distinct |
What a decoded Volvo S40 VIN gets you
Behind a Volvo S40 VIN: 377 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 12 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 377 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 23 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 13 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Volvo S40
A Volvo S40 VIN normally opens with YV1; 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 Volvo S40 VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 12 recall campaigns and 377 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Volvo S40.
What year is my S40 by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2011 S40 carries B, a 2010 S40 carries A, a 2009 S40 carries 9.
Where was my S40 built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 377 dated Volvo S40 VINs it reads F 53%, 2 46%.
What does position 4 mean on a Volvo S40 VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 10 Volvo S40 VINs here, M is the most common character in position 4, on 40% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Volvo S40 check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with YV1. 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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