Key points
- A VIN must be marked on each vehicle and attributed uniquely to that vehicle.
- It is marked on the chassis or vehicle when the vehicle leaves the production line.
- Chassis VIN characters must be at least 7 mm high.
- The manufacturer must ensure VIN-based vehicle traceability for 30 years.
Complete the digital check before marking
Annex II to Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/535 requires a unique VIN for each vehicle. Before marking, confirm the 17-character structure, prohibited characters, numerical final VIS positions and calculated position 9.
The production record should identify which VIN is approved for the physical vehicle at the marking station.
Apply the physical marking requirements
The VIN is marked on the chassis or vehicle when it leaves the production line. Characters marked on the chassis must be at least 7 mm high, there are no spaces between characters, and I, O and Q are not permitted.
The approved location and marking method remain part of the manufacturer’s type-approval and production arrangements.
Close the record after marking
After the marking event, move the VIN from reserved to used only through a controlled production action. Record the relevant vehicle or customer reference and prevent the VIN from returning to the available serial pool.
This creates a clear operational bridge between calculation, physical marking and the 30-year traceability requirement.
A marking technique is not a separate VIN rule
Annex II sets the VIN structure, uniqueness, timing, minimum character height and other formal requirements. It does not prescribe one specific technique such as scribing, dot-peen or laser marking in these VIN provisions.
Before series production, document the approved location, sample appearance, legibility, character height and conformity with the approved arrangement. ManageVIN checks the digital value; physical marking remains within the manufacturer’s controlled process.
ManageVIN is a calculation and record-management aid. It does not assign WMI codes and does not replace an approval authority or professional compliance review.
