Most Volvo S60 VINs open with YV1 (Sweden, 2001–2018). Position 11, the plant, shows 3 codes, most often 2 (92%); a 2026 S60 carries T in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 41 recall campaigns and 1,044 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Volvo S60 VIN
Here is a real 2024 Volvo S60 VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 7JRH60FJ7RG296335 — 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 S60 VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
The Volvo S60 VINs on record carry 2 different prefixes. The main one is YV1 (Sweden, 2001–2018), then LYV (China, 2016–2018):
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YV1 | 2001–2018 | Sweden | Passenger Car | |
| LYV | 2016–2018 | China | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Volvo S60 it is not one number either — assembly moved between 3 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2001–2018 | 959 | |
| 1 | 2003–2016 | 62 | |
| B | 2016–2018 | 20 |
Counted from 1,040 dated Volvo S60 VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Volvo S60
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Volvo S60 has not yet outlived: its 25 years still map one-to-one. All 25 model years of the Volvo S60, 2001 to 2026, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | T | — |
| 2025 | S | — |
| 2024 | R | — |
| 2023 | P | — |
| 2022 | N | — |
| 2021 | M | — |
| 2020 | L | — |
| 2019 | K | — |
| 2018 | J | — |
| 2017 | H | — |
| 2016 | G | — |
| 2015 | F | — |
| 2014 | E | — |
| 2013 | D | — |
| 2012 | C | — |
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
| 2005 | 5 | — |
| 2004 | 4 | — |
| 2003 | 3 | — |
| 2002 | 2 | — |
| 2001 | 1 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Volvo S60 VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 115 VINs the Volvo S60 uses 18 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | 6 (18%) · R (17%) · H (12%) · A (12%) · L (10%) · 4 (9%) | 6 distinct |
| 5 — series | 1 (25%) · 0 (20%) · 2 (15%) · 6 (15%) · S (12%) · H (5%) | 6 distinct |
| 8 — engine | K (23%) · L (14%) · M (13%) · H (12%) · S (8%) · 2 (6%) | 6 distinct |
What a decoded Volvo S60 VIN gets you
Behind a Volvo S60 VIN: 1,044 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 41 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 1,044 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 26 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Crash-test ratings | 13 rated model years | NHTSA |
| Model years covered | 25 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Volvo S60
A Volvo S60 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 S60 VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 41 recall campaigns and 1,044 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Volvo S60.
Why does my S60 VIN start differently from another S60?
Because the Volvo S60 was built under several maker codes, by plant and period. Across the Volvo S60 VINs on record we see 2 of them: YV1 (2001–2018), LYV (2016–2018). Each is genuine for its years.
What year is my S60 by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2026 S60 carries T, a 2025 S60 carries S, a 2024 S60 carries R.
Where was my S60 built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 1,044 dated Volvo S60 VINs it reads 2 92%, 1 6%, B 2%.
What does position 4 mean on a Volvo S60 VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 115 Volvo S60 VINs here, 6 is the most common character in position 4, on 18% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Volvo S60 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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