1. Locate the VIN plate.
- On most ATVs, the VIN plate is located on the frame near the steering column or on the engine. It may be a metal plate or a sticker.
2. Identify the VIN.
- The VIN is a 17-character code composed of letters and numbers. It is usually arranged in four groups, separated by hyphens: 4-3-6-4 format XXXX-XXX-XXXXXX-XXXX.
3. Decode the VIN.
- Each section of the VIN provides specific information about your ATV:
- The first character indicates the country of origin: 1, 4, or 5 for the US; 2 for Canada, etc.
- The second character identifies the manufacturer: P for Polaris, H for Honda, Y for Yamaha, etc.
- The third character represents the vehicle type: A for All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), B for motorcycle, C for car, etc.
- The fourth and fifth characters indicate the model year and assembly plant code.
- The sixth to eighth characters are the sequential production number.
- The ninth character is the check digit, which is used for error detection.
- The tenth to fourteenth characters are the body or chassis type code.
- The fifteenth character represents the model year using a letter code (A for 2010, B for 2011, etc.)
- The sixteenth and seventeenth characters are the manufacturing country code.
4. Write down the VIN.
- It's a good idea to write down the VIN and keep it in a safe place, such as your owner's manual or a file, in case you need it for reference in the future.
5. Use the VIN for reference.
- The VIN is a unique identifier for your ATV. It can be used to obtain information about your vehicle from the manufacturer, register your ATV with the appropriate government agency, and purchase parts or accessories.
