How to Decode a Land Rover Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

The Land Rover VIN is 17 digits long and it looks like this:
SALLDHMB7EA123456
If you break the number down it will decode like this:
Digits #1-3

Identifies the World Manufacturer of the Vehicle.

Digits #4-8

Identifies the vehicle specifications such as body style, model, and

engine type

Digit #9

Identifies vehicles type of steering and transmission

(Note*- In later model vehicles this digit is used to verify the
VIN is actually valid. It is referred to as the "check digit".)

Digit #10

Identifies the year of manufacture for the vehicle

Digit #11

Identifies the assembly plant at which the vehicle was

manufactured/assembled

Digits #12-17

These are the specific vehicle serial or identification number. They

identify this particular vehicle as apart from other vehicles from those
produced in the same model year.

The Key for Decoding a Land Rover VIN:

(Please follow the example for decoding your vehicles VIN below.)

Digit #1 (Geographic Region):

S = Europe

S
Digit #2 (Country):

A = United Kingdom

SA
Digit #3 (Manufacturer):

L = British Leyland/Land Rover

SAL
Digits #4 & 5 (Model):

LB = Series III, Stage I, Lightweight

LD = Defender
LH = Range Rover (mk I) (Classic)
LJ = Discovery
LN = Freelander
LP = Range Rover (mk II)
LT = Discovery, Series II

SALLD
Digit #6 (Wheelbase):

SALLDH

A = 88" & Freelander, & 100" for RR mk I

C = 109" and 1 ton
G = 100"
H = 110" & 147"
K = 127"
M = Special
R = 110"
S = Military 110"
V = 92.3" (i.e., 90")

Digit #7 (Body Type):

A = Truck Cab, Soft Top or Hard Top (Utility body)

B = 3 dr Station Wagon or Freelander 5 dr hardtop
E = 2 door Crew Cab
F = 4 door Crew Cab
H = High Capacity pick-up (Some had A instead of H)
M = 5 door Station Wagon & 7 Door SW
R = Monteverdi Range Rover

SALLDHM
Digit # 8 (Engine):

SALLDHMB

B = 2.5l, 4 cylinder, Turbo diesel

C = 2.5l, 4 cylinder, diesel
D = 2.5l, 4 cylinder, petrol
F = 200 Tdi & 300 Tdi (2.5 Liter, 4 cyl., Turbo Diesels)
G = 2.25l diesel & Freelander V6
H = 2.25l petrol
M = 3.9 liter V8 (injection)
P = 2.6l 6 cylinder, petrol
V = 3.5l V8 petrol (carburetor)
Y = 2 liter T16 petrol
Z = 3.9 liter Isuzu diesel
3= 4.2 V8 petrol (injection)
8 = Td5

Digit # 9 (Steering/Transmission):
1 = RHD, 4 speed
2 = LHD, 4 speed
3 = RHD, automatic
4 = LHD, automatic
5 = RHD, 4 speed & overdrive
6 = LHD, 4 speed & overdrive
7 = RHD, 5 speed
8 = LHD, 5 speed
SALLDHMB7

Digit #10 (Model Variant/Model Year)

Letter

Calendar Period

Model Yr.

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
J
K
L
M
T
V
W
X
Y
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

1979-84*
1984-86*
1985-86
1986-87
1987-88
1988-89
1989-90
1990-91
1991-92
1992-93
1993-94
1994-95
1995-96
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
1999-00
2000-01
2001-02
2002-03
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09

N/A
N/A
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009

(*The numbering scheme for 'A' and 'B' model year codes is not
the same on all vehicles. Land Rover Series III vehicles with 'A'
codes were manufactured from 1979-1984. Production of the
Series III ceased in 1984. Range Rover Classic vehicles with 'A'
codes were manufactured from 1979-1984, followed by
vehicles with 'B' codes from 1984-86. )

SALLDHMB7E

Digit #11 (Assembly Location)

SALLDHMB7EA

A = Solihull
F = CKD (Completely Knocked Down Kit (3rd Party
assembly Worldwide))
V = South Africa

Digits #12-17 (serial number (i.e., chassis number or ID# *))

SALLDHMB7EA123456
(*The serial numbers is the identifier for a particular vehicle from a particular year. It should be known
that serial numbers are recycled from year to year. So, it is possible for 2 or more different Defenders
from 2 or more different model years to have the same serial number.)

Example of a deciphered Vehicle Identification Number SALLDHMB7EA123456

Based on the above Vehicle Identification Number it is relatively easy to determine that
this vehicle is a European built vehicle assembled in the United Kingdom by British
Leyland/Land Rover. Furthermore, it is a Defender with a 110" wheelbase configured as a
5/7 door station wagon variant with a 2.5l, 4 cylinder, Turbo diesel engine. It is right hand
drive with a 5-speed transmission and it was built between 1987 & 1988 at Land Rover's
plant in Solihull, UK. Its chassis serial number is 123456.

Document prepared by William M. Hedrick, Attorney-at-Law, Wake Forest, North Carolina (7/18/14)