Scania VIN Check
Scania heavy trucks and bus chassis use ISO 3779 VINs with WMI YS2 for the main Södertälje plant. Positions 4–8 encode cab family and product series (for example R4 for R-series on the 4-series platform). European Scania VINs often use 0 in position 10 instead of the North American model-year code — production year may require Scania build records.
Our decoder maps cab letters (P, G, R, S, L, K), series digits, assembly plants, and check-digit validation for Scania WMIs worldwide.
How to Read a Scania VIN
Start with the WMI (positions 1–3): YS2 = Sweden/Södertälje trucks, YS4 = Katrineholm buses, 9BS = Brazil, XLE = Netherlands. Position 4 is the cab/line letter; position 5 is the series generation. Position 11 is the assembly plant code (for example 2 = Södertälje). Positions 12–17 are the production sequence.
Scania VIN Position Breakdown
| Pos. | Section | Standard Meaning | Scania Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WMI | Country of manufacture | Y=Sweden, X=Netherlands, V=France, 9=Brazil/Argentina, 3=Mexico, 1=USA |
| 2 | WMI | Manufacturer | Combined with pos. 1–3 identifies Scania AB or a regional CKD assembly entity |
| 3 | WMI | Vehicle type | YS2=Sweden/Södertälje (truck & bus chassis); YS4=Sweden/Katrineholm (bus); XLE=Netherlands/Zwolle; VLU/VF9=France/Angers; 9BS=Brazil; SZA=Poland/Słupsk (bus body); 1S9=USA/Orange, CT (historic bus) |
| 4 | VDS | Cab / chassis line | High confidence — P/G/R/S/L for trucks; K/N/F for buses |
| 5 | VDS | Platform / power tier | Medium confidence — 4=standard, 6=V8/9L, 8=heavy 8×4 |
| 6 | VDS | Layout suffix | Medium confidence — part of axle-layout code, e.g. X20=4×2, X40=6×4/8×4 |
| 7 | VDS | Layout suffix | Continuation of the axle-layout / drive designation |
| 8 | VDS | Layout / spec suffix | Completes the layout code; exact horsepower and trim require Scania's factory SWS/TIS catalog |
| 9 | Check digit | Validation | ISO 3779 weighted-sum check — applies on standard-volume Scania WMIs |
| 10 | VIS | Model year | EU-built trucks almost always show 0 — model year is not reliably encoded here; US 1S9 buses use the standard ISO year code |
| 11 | VIS | Assembly plant | 1/2=Södertälje, Sweden; 3=São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil; 4/5=Zwolle, Netherlands; 8=Katrineholm, Sweden; 9=Angers, France; C=Orange, Connecticut, USA |
| 12–17 | VIS | Serial number | Unique production sequence at the assembly plant |
Frequently Asked Questions — Scania VIN
What WMI does Scania use?
YS2 is assigned to Scania AB in Södertälje, Sweden for trucks. YS4 covers Katrineholm bus production. Export plants use XLE (Netherlands), VLU (France), 9BS (Brazil), and SZA (Poland).
Why is model year missing on my Scania VIN?
Many European Scania VINs use 0 in position 10 rather than the ISO model-year character. Model year is not reliably encoded in the public VIN for EU-built trucks — use registration documents or Scania service history.
What does R4 mean in a Scania VIN?
Position 4 R identifies the high-mounted R-cab used for long-haul tractors. Position 5 is the series generation — 4 indicates the Scania 4-series platform (mid-1990s through 2000s).
Where is the VIN on a Scania truck?
Stamped on the right-hand chassis rail under the cab, on the manufacturer plate near the driver door, and on registration documents.