What is the model year of my Porsche?

How do I find out what the model year of my Porsche is? 

You can find out the model year of your Porsche from the VIN (see the entry below What is a vehicle identification number (VIN)?). The 10th character out of the 17 characters in the VIN tells you what Porsche model year it is. For example, the 10th character on the following VIN is the letter L: 

W P 0 Z Z Z 9 Y Z L L A 0 7 2 2 7 

By checking the table below you will see that the L relates to the year 2020. So, if this was the VIN on your car then its Porsche model year is 2020.

What does the model year of my Porsche mean? 

The model year of your Porsche is important as each model year or groupings of model years may have different components, software or other such variables.  For example, the way you log into the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) infotainment system of your car will differentiate across model years.  

The Porsche model year is usually represented by a number but can also be a letter.

What is a vehicle identification number (VIN)? 

VIN is the abbreviation for vehicle identification number. This is a unique code used by the automotive industry to identify every individual car that is made.  

Porsche car models have a different structure and different lengths depending on the year, but the VIN is usually 17 characters long. Cars produced before 1981 may display a different number of characters. The VIN holds a lot of information about the car using a series of numbers and letters, like where it was built, its model year, the manufacturer and which plant assembled it.

Where can I find the VIN for my Porsche model? 

The VIN for your Porsche is displayed on a plate inserted in your car. Generally, this will be fixed to the dashboard of your car on the driver’s side. You should be able to spot it while standing outside of your car and looking through the windscreen at the dashboard. If it is not here, then check on the door pillar, driver’s side, of your Porsche as some models from certain years have the VIN plate inserted here.  

In certain countries, the VIN can also be found on your car’s registration document.