- What you'll get from Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN check?
- Chevrolet C/K Pickup Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet C/K Pickup
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN.
- 10th Character in the Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Chevrolet C/K Pickup Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet C/K Pickup
- How to find a Chevrolet C/K Pickup's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet C/K Pickup
What you’ll get from Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Plant City: The VIN may provide information about the city where the Chevrolet C/K Pickup was manufactured, offering insights into its production location.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN might indicate that the Chevrolet C/K Pickup is classified as a truck, potentially affecting its registration and insurance categorization.
- Trim: The VIN possibly includes details about the trim level of the Chevrolet C/K Pickup, giving insights into its specific features and equipment.
- Body Class: The VIN can specify the body class of the Chevrolet C/K Pickup, indicating that it is a pickup truck, providing insights into its design and structure.
Chevrolet C/K Pickup Vehicle History Risk Factors
Chevrolet’s reliability is model-dependent — the Silverado and Suburban are among the most durable vehicles in their segments, while some car-based models have more checkered histories. A Bumper check on a used Chevrolet is particularly valuable for the following:
AFM/DoD lifter failures on 5.3L V8 engines (2007–2021 Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban). GM’s Active Fuel Management system, which deactivates cylinders at highway speeds, caused widespread lifter and camshaft failures in this engine generation. The repair cost ($2,000–$5,000) makes this one of the most expensive used-vehicle surprises in any segment. Service records showing lifter replacement or an AFM delete kit are significant items to verify before purchase.
Ignition switch recall (2005–2014 multiple models). GM’s ignition switch recall — one of the most significant safety-related recalls in automotive history — affected Malibus, Cobalts, and several other models. Affected switches could move out of the “run” position while driving, cutting power to safety systems including airbags. Verify recall compliance on any Chevrolet from this era.
Transmission shudder on 8-speed automatic (2015–2019 Silverado, Colorado). GM’s 8L90 and 8L45 eight-speed automatics generated extensive owner complaints and TSBs related to torque converter shudder, especially at low speeds. This is well-documented and frequently appears in service records.
Rust on older Silverado and Colorado frames. Like other full-size trucks, older Chevrolet pickups from rust-belt states can have significant frame deterioration. A registration and ownership history in the Bumper report is your first indicator — a truck that’s spent decades in Minnesota or Michigan is a different proposition than one from Arizona.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code at the beginning of every Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that signifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. It holds particular importance as it not only identifies the make of the vehicle but can also indicate the country where the vehicle was assembled. For a Chevrolet C/K Pickup, the WMI is crucial in distinguishing the truck as a product of General Motors LLC, specifically a pickup truck category. The common WMIs for these vehicles are 1GC and 2GC, where the first digit signifies the country of manufacture—such as 1 for the United States and 2 for Canada—and GC typically stands for General Motors and Chevrolet trucks respectively. This code is fundamental in deciphering the DNA of your Chevrolet C/K Pickup and tracing its origins.
List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet C/K Pickup
WMI: 1GC
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1986
- Example VIN: 1GCEC14G0BF315357
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: 2GC
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1986
- Example VIN: 2GCEK14D0B1175939
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Chevrolet’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes body style, restraint system, engine type, and series level across its Silverado, Equinox, Malibu, and Tahoe lineups. On Silverados, the VDS is particularly useful for confirming cab style (regular, double, or crew cab), bed length, and engine variant — important because a 5.3L V8 Silverado and a 4.3L V6 from the same model year can look identical from the exterior. For the Equinox and Traverse, the VDS distinguishes between engine variants that differ significantly in fuel economy, towing capacity, and long-term reliability profiles. When comparing two Chevrolets with similar prices, always cross-reference VDS characters to confirm you’re comparing equivalent specifications.
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| G | 1986 Chevrolet C/K Pickup |
| F | 1985 Chevrolet C/K Pickup |
| E | 1984 Chevrolet C/K Pickup |
| D | 1983 Chevrolet C/K Pickup |
| C | 1982 Chevrolet C/K Pickup |
| B | 1981 Chevrolet C/K Pickup |
11th Character in the Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Chevrolet C/K Pickup Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oshawa Truck | Ontario | Canada | Na-Canada-Truck | 2GCEK14D0B1175939 |
| B | Baltimore | Maryland | United States | Baltimore Assembly (Na-Truck Platform) | 1GCDC14D4BB133945 |
| F | Flint | Michigan | United States | Flint Truck Assembly | 1GCEC14G0BF315357 |
| J | Janesville | Wisconsin | United States | Janesville Assembly Plant) | 1GCGC24T7BJ101250 |
| S | St. Louis | Missouri | United States | St. Louis Truck Assembly | 1GCEK14H3BS122560 |
| Z | Fremont | California | United States | 1GCGC23M7BZ133692 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet C/K Pickup
The final 6 characters in a Chevrolet C/K Pickup’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Chevrolet C/K Pickup’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Chevrolet C/K Pickup is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet C/K Pickup, near where the dashboard meets the windshield.
- Inspect the driver’s side door pillar when you open the driver’s door of your Chevrolet C/K Pickup, there should be a VIN plate or sticker.
- Check the engine block, where the VIN might also be stamped on the Chevrolet C/K Pickup.
- Look for the VIN on the vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance documents, which should match the VIN on the Chevrolet C/K Pickup itself.
- Examine the rear wheel well; sometimes the VIN can be found above the tire on the Chevrolet C/K Pickup.
- Investigate under the spare tire in the truck’s bed or storage area of your Chevrolet C/K Pickup for a VIN plate or sticker.
- Consult the owner’s manual or maintenance records for the Chevrolet C/K Pickup, as the VIN is often recorded in these documents.
Don’t have your Chevrolet C/K Pickup’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet C/K Pickup
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Pickup |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Displacement (CC) | 5000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 305.11872047366 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.0 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Chevrolet |
| Engine Model | 4BBL |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Model | C/K Pickup |
| Model Year | 1982 |
| Plant City | St. Louis |
| Plant Company Name | St. Louis Truck assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Missouri |
| Series | Conventional Cab |
| Trim | 1/2 ton |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1GCDC14H*CS |
| Vehicle Type | Truck |
| Sample VIN | 1GCDC14H1CS184940 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Chevrolet C/K Pickup for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Chevrolet C/K Pickup?
On most Chevrolet vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Chevrolet C/K Pickup's history for free?
Enter the Chevrolet C/K Pickup’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN numbers start with?
Chevrolet C/K Pickup VIN's start with 1GC and 2GC for vehicles manufactured by General Motors LLC in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Chevrolet C/K Pickup.
Decode a Chevrolet VIN
Look up a Chevrolet C/K Pickup by license plate:
Compare this vehicle to another
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today