List of Land Rover Chassis Codes (VIN Guide)

In this brief article we are going to discuss the different Land Rover Chassis Codes, what these codes mean, and how to find out the Chassis code for your Land Rover.

There are many Land Rovers aficionados out there who like to hunt down older Land Rovers. In most cases, they find out that these Land Rovers had been rebuilt multiple times and finally resulting in a vehicle with a vehicle of a completely different configuration compared to the one that left the factory.  Not to mention countless “stolen” Land Rovers that also carry a stolen identity from the chassis of a vehicle that had been scrapped. Given the above scenarios, being knowledgeable about Land Rover Chassis Numbers seems essential.

How do you decode a Land Rover Vin?

The Land Rover Chassis VIN is decoded in the following way.

Prior to 1979 the  Land Rover Chassis VIN consisted of either a 9 digit number, or an 8 digit number with a letter as suffix. From 1979 onwards, Land Rovers moved on to the modern 17 digit format like all other Automobile companies. The 17 digits are interpreted in the following manner:

Geographical Region (1st Character)
S    Europe
Country (2nd Character)
A     United Kingdom
Manufacturer (3rd Character)
L       Land Rover
Model Type (4th and 5th Characters)
LBSeries III
LDNinety, One Ten, 127, Defender
LHRange Rover
LJDiscovery
LMRange Rover L322
LNFreelander
LPRange Rover (P38A)
LTDiscovery Series II
Wheelbase (6th Character)
ASeries III 88″ Defender 90″ extra heavy duty Range Rover Classic 100″ Range Rover (38A) 108″ Freelander
BSeries III 88″ Lightweight Defender 110″ extra heavy duty Range Rover Classic LSE 108″ Freelander Commercial
CSeries III 109″ Defender 130″ extra heavy duty
DSeries III 109″
G100″ (Discovery)
H110″ (L/R)
K130″ (L/R)
MSpecial Build
R110″ (24 volt)
S90″ (24 volt)
V90″ (L/R)
Body Style (7th Character)
Truck Cab, Soft Top or Hard Top (Utility body)
3 door Station Wagon, or Freelander 5 door hardtop
2 door Crew Cab
4 door Crew Cab
High Capacity pick-up (Some had an A instead of the H)
5 door Station Wagon & 7 Door SW
Monteverdi Range Rover
Engine Type (8th Character)
A1.8L, inline 4 cylinder, ‘K’ Series, High Compression Unleaded
B2.5L, inline 4 cylinder, turbo-diesel 193 2.OL inline 4 cylinder, ‘L’ Series, turbo-diesel
C2.5L. inline 4 cylinder, diesel 123 1.8L. inline 4 cylinder, ‘K’ Series, Low Compression Unleaded
D2.5L, inline 4 cylinder, petrol 17H 1.8L, inline 4 cylinder, ‘K’ Series, Low Compression Leaded
E3.5L, V8 carb, petrol, High Compression2.4L, inline 4 cylinder, VM Diesel2.OL, inline 4 cylinder, BMW M47 (Td4), diesel
F2.5L, inline 4 cylinder, turbo-diesel (200Tdi/300Tdi) non EGR/cat, 11L or 16L 1.8L. inline 4 cylinder, ‘K’ Series, High Compression Leaded
G2.25L, inline 4 cylinder, diesel 2.5L, V6, ‘KV6’ Series, Unleaded
H2.25L, inline 4 cylinder, petrol 2.5L, V6, ‘KV6’ Series, Leaded
J4.6L, V8 Efi, petro 2.5L, V6, ‘KV6’ Series, Ethanol
L3.5L, V8 Efi, petrol
M3.9 & 4.OL. V8 Efi, petrol
N2.5L, inline 4 cylinder, VM Diesel
P2.6L, inline 6 cylinder, IOE petrol
V3.5L, V8 carb, petrol, Low Compression
W2.5L. inline 6 cylinder, BMW Diesel
Y2.OL, inline 4 cylinder Mpi, petrol
14.0L, V8Efi. Low Compression with Cat
24.0L V8Efi, High Compression with Cat
34.0L V8Efi, Low Compression without Cat
62.5L. inline 4 cylinder, turbo-diesel (200Tdi/300Tdi) EGR/cat
82.5L. inline 5 cylinder, turbo-diesel (Td5) EGR
92.5L. inline 5 cylinder, turbo-diesel (Td5) EGR without Cat (Disco II) 2.8L, inline 6 cylinder, M52 BMW petrol
Gearbox Type (9th Character)
1Series III 4 speed / Right Hand Drive LT95 4 speed / Right Hand Drive JATCO 5 speed Auto / Right Hand Drive
2Series III 4 speed / Left Hand Drive LT95 4 speed / Left Hand Drive JATCO 5 speed Auto / Left Hand Drive
3Chrysler 747 3 speed Auto / Right Hand Drive ZF 4 speed Auto / Right Hand Drive
4Chrysler 747 3 speed Auto / Left Hand Drive ZF 4 speed Auto / Left Hand Drive
5RHD 4 speed gearbox + overdrive
6LHD 4 speed gearbox + overdrive
7LT77 5 Speed Manual / Right Hand Drive LT77S 5 Speed Manual / Right Hand Drive LT85 5 Speed Manual / Right Hand Drive R380 5 Speed Manual / Right Hand Drive PG15 speed5 Speed Manual / Right Hand Drive
8LT77 5 Speed Manual / Left Hand Drive LT77S 5 Speed Manual / Left Hand Drive LT85 5 Speed Manual / Left Hand Drive R380 5 Speed Manual / Left Hand Drive PG1 5 speed5 Speed Manual / Left Hand Drive
Year of Build (10th Character)
A2010
BSer. III CSW or R/R Phase II, or 90/110 face lift to 1987 M/Y 2011
CR/R 1986 M/Y or 2012
DR/R 1987 M/Y or 2013
E1988 or 2014
F1989 or 2015
G1990 or 2016
H1991 or 2017
J1992 or 2018
K1993
L1994
M1995
T1996
V1997
W1998
X1999
Y2000
12001
22002
32003
42004
52005
62006
72007
82008
92009
Assembly Plant (11th Character)
ASolihull, United Kingdom
FWorldwide
GSouth Africa
Unique Serial Number (12th – 17th Characters)

How do I know my Land Rover Chassis Code?

Your Land Rover Chassis Code is basically on the VIN plate. The brake pedal box under the bonnet is usually where this plate is located. The VIN is also punched onto the Right-Hand side of the chassis close to the front lashing eye. 

You may use this guide, shown below, to interpret your VIN.

Other articles about Land Rover you may be interested in

Land Rover Discovery air suspension problems Explained

Land Rover Discovery transmission problems

Land Rover LR3 air suspension problems Explained

Conclusion

In this brief article we have discussed the different Land Rover Chassis Codes, what these codes mean, and how to find out the Chassis code for your Land Rover.

If you have any questions or comments please let us know.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): 

Where is the chassis number on a Land Rover Series 2a?

The Chassis number is located on an aluminium plate on the bulkhead – on the inside of the cabin in the case of earlier vehicles, OR, under the bonnet (mounted either  onto the bulkhead, or onto the brake servo) in case of later models.

Usually, the chassis number is punched onto the aluminium plate. On this plate, you will also find a basic description of the vehicle. 

What does the chassis number tell you?

The VIN or Vehicle Identification Number is also called the Chassis Number. It is a unique exclusive car identification number assigned to every car in the world by its respective maker. Regional registration authorities in all geographies use the car VIN number, to identify, verify and register your car. This exclusive number consists of 17-digits to give a unique identity to your car.

How do I find out the specs of my Land Rover?

Your vehicle spec can be found out using this website.

 Owner Info – http://www.ownerinfo.landrover.com/, 

Where, for a fee, you would be given access to specific information about your Land Rover.