What Are Caravan Year Codes?

Easily Discover the Manufacturing Year of Your Caravan

If you're wondering about the manufacturing year of your caravan, rest assured—it’s simpler than you might think! Every caravan comes with a unique serial number, known as the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which holds essential information, including a year code. This code has been a standard feature on caravans worldwide since 1992, allowing owners to quickly identify the exact year of manufacture. Beyond the year code, the VIN also provides valuable details about the caravan’s manufacturer, its country of origin, and more.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know precisely how to locate your caravan's VIN and uncover key information about its production year. Understanding this information can be incredibly useful, especially if you’re planning to sell your caravan in the future. So, let’s dive into how you can easily decode your caravan's history!

Where to find your caravan’s VIN

Locating your caravan's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) may vary depending on its age. For caravans manufactured between 1992 and 2015, the VIN was typically etched onto the windows, near the door, or on the A-frame. However, for models produced from 2016 onwards, manufacturers introduced a security sticker with the VIN, usually placed on the nearside front window.

By following these guidelines, you’ll easily find your caravan’s VIN and gain quick access to essential information about its history and specifications.

How to read your caravan’s VIN

To help you determine the manufacturing year of your caravan from its VIN code, let’s walk through a sample VIN and show you how to decode it step-by-step.

Here is a sample VIN: SGBSX5CBYA1111111

The VIN is broken down into a number of different elements, which we can outline below…

SGBSX5CBYA1111111 - This is the country code. SG signifies that the caravan has been manufactured in the UK.
SGBSX5CBYA1111111 - These characters signify the make of the caravan. So in this instance the B would signify that it is a Bailey caravan.
SGBSX5CBYA1111111 - This character will either be a T or an S. This is to identify whether the caravan is a single or twin axle model.
- S - Single
- T - Twin
SGBSX5CBYA1111111 - The next three characters display additional manufacturer information. In some cases these characters may simply be 000.
SGBSX5CBYA1111111 - These characters outline the manufacturer’s code. So the BY signifies that the caravan is a Bailey model.
SGBSX5CBYA1111111 - This is the year code. The A means that the caravan was manufactured in 2010. After we have finished decoding the VIN, we can outline for you the different year codes and their corresponding years.
SGBSX5CBYA1111111 - The next three digits are there for more optional manufacturer information. This information doesn’t mean too much to the average caravan owner, and often refers to specific ranges of caravans.
SGBSX5CBYA1111111 - The final four digits make up the caravan’s unique serial number.

What year is my caravan?

As mentioned in point 6 above, caravan year codes are conveniently indicated by a single letter or number. This straightforward system provides a quick and easy way to determine the exact year your caravan was manufactured. Below, you'll find a comprehensive list of year codes along with their corresponding years to help you decode the manufacturing date of your caravan with ease:

N = 1992	3 = 2003	E = 2014
P = 1993	4 = 2004	F = 2015
R = 1994	5 = 2005	G = 2016
S = 1995	6 = 2006	H = 2017
T = 1996	7 = 2007	J = 2018
V = 1997	8 = 2008	K = 2019
W = 1998	9 = 2009	L = 2020
X = 1999	A = 2010	M = 2021
Y = 2000	B = 2011	N = 2022
1 = 2001	C = 2012	P = 2023
2 = 2002	D = 2013	R = 2024

Caravan VIN: Understanding Manufacturer Codes

In the list below, you’ll find the various manufacturer codes that may appear in your caravan’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). These codes are specific to each manufacturer, helping you identify who produced your caravan and providing insight into its origins.

AB - ABI	CP- Compass May show the EX code if the van was built by Explorer Group
AD - Adria	CS- Cosalt Later Cosalt models were made by Swift and will carry their code
AV - Avondale	CU- Sprite Later Sprite models were made by Swift and will carry their code
BE- Bessacarr Later Bessacarr models were made by Swift and will carry their code	EL- Elddis Older models may show Explorer Group’s EX code if the caravan was made before the re-branding
BU- Buccaneer Later Buccaneer models were made by Explorer Group and will carry their code	EX- Explorer Group More recent models will show the Elddis code
BY - Bailey	FL - Fleetwood
CL - Carlight	LU - Lunar
CM - Coachman	SW - Swift Group

And There You Have It! Decoding Your Caravan’s VIN Made Simple

By locating and decoding your caravan’s VIN, you can effortlessly determine its exact manufacturing year. With this essential information at your fingertips, understanding your caravan’s history has never been easier.

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