Land Rover Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN)

For some parts requirements it will be necessary to identify the vehicle model year and change point. For vehicles built after & including some of 1979 the list shown below will help you. You should find the VIN of your vehicle stamped on a plate located in the vehicle’s engine compartment. Because of the potential for change of parts or assemblies by previous owners of a vehicle the VIN should be used for guidance only, it is not a guarantee only a guide. Note North American Specification vehicles (NAS) have a different numbering system.

 The VIN is an alphanumeric sequence of 17 digits which always begins SAL. These 3 letters (SAL) indicate the manufacturer as Land Rover. The 4^th / 5^th digit indicates the type of vehicle (e.g. Series III, Discovery etc.). The 6^th letter indicates the wheelbase  (e.g. 109”, 90”, etc.). The 7^th letter indicates the vehicle style ( e.g. 2 door, 4 door, pick up etc.). The 8^th letter indicates engine type. The 9^th digit numerical indicates gearbox details. Note for gearbox parts read also our section on GEARBOX IDENTIFICATION. The 10^th digit alpha indicates model year. The 11^th digit alpha indicates manufacture point ( Solihull, or local assembly from kit known as CKD – “completely knocked down”) The last six digits numerical indicate build sequence number. The last two letters (10^th / 11^th position) and the numerical number are usually the most important part of the VIN required for part number identification.

Below see the VIN chart :-

1-3	SAL	Land Rover	8	B	2.5 Turbo Dies
4/5	LB	Series III		C	2.5 Diesel
	LD	Defender 90 / 110		D	2.5 Petrol
	LH	Range Rover		E	2.4 VM Diesel
	LJ	Discovery		F	2.5 Tdi Diesel
	LP	New Range Rover		G	2.25 Diesel
6	A	100”  Range Rvr. or 88” LR		H	2.25 Petrol
	B	108” Range Rvr. Classic		J	V8 4.6 PI
	C	109” LR		L	V8 3.5 PI
	G	100” Disco		M	V8 3.9/4.0 PI
	H	110” LR		N	2.5 VM Diesel
	M	Special Build		V	V8 3.5 Carb
	V	90” LR		W	2.5 BMW Diesel
7	A	Pick Up / Truck Hard Top	9	1	RHD 4 Spd
	B	2 Door Station Wagon		2	LHD 4 Spd
	H	High Capacity Pick Up		3	RHD Auto
	M	4 Door Station Wagon		4	LHD Auto
	R	Monteverdi Range Rover		5	RHD 4 Spd with overdrive
9	6	LHD 4 SPd with overdrive		K	1993 MY
	7	RHD 5 Spd		L	1994 MY
	8	LHD 5 Spd		M	1995 MY
10	A	All Vehicles up to 1984		T	1996 MY
	B	1985		V	1997 MY
	C	1986 MY		W	1998 MY
	D	1987 MY		X	1999 MY
	E	1988 MY		Y	2000 MY
	F	1989 MY		1	2001 MY
	G	1990 MY		2	2002 MY
	H	1991 MY	11	A	Solihull
	J	1992 MY		F	Local Assy CKD

Engine Numbers - Location

4 Cylinder – Stamped on a machined surface at the front left hand side of the engine adjacent to the exhaust manifold front flange. On Later engines the number is stamped above the rear side cover.

Tdi – Stamped on the cylinder block on the right hand side of the engine above the camshaft front cover plate. Commencing Serial Number 11L 00001

V8 – Stamped on a cast pad on the cylinder block between numbers 3 & 5 cylinders.

Gearbox And Transfer Box Numbers – Location

LT95   4 Speed Main G/Box & T/Box V8 – Stamped on the rear of the transfer box on the opposite side to the transmission brake.

LT77(S)   5 Speed Main Gearbox – Stamped on the right hand side of the gearbox immediately below the oil filler level plug. Suffix numbers run from A through to H.

LT85    5 Speed Main Gearbox Split Case V8 – Stamped on the top face of the gearbox behind the gear selector lever housing. Prefix 22C

LT85   5 Speed Main Gearbox One Piece Case V8 – Stamped on the right hand side of the front bearing plate. Prefix 20C

LT230R   Transfer Box – Stamped on the casing on the left hand side of the gearbox below the mainshaft rear bearing housing adjacent to the bottom cover.

R380   5 Speed Main Gearbox – Stamped on the right hand side of the gearbox immediately below the oil filler level plug. Suffix numbers run from J onwards.         

Front Axle

Stamped on top of the left hand axle tube.

Rear Axle

Land Rover Type – Stamped on top of left hand axle tube

Salisbury Type – Stamped on rear of left hand axle tube