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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →A car’s make is its manufacturer or brand; its model is the name of a vehicle family from that make. For example, Toyota is the make and Camry is a model. Model year is a separate field and may differ from the calendar year the vehicle was built.
Make vs. model: the difference
| Field | What it identifies | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Make | The manufacturer or brand name applied to a group of vehicles | Toyota |
| Model | The manufacturer’s name for a family of vehicles within a make | Camry |
| Model year | The year designation for a discrete vehicle model; it is not necessarily the calendar year of production | A vehicle labeled as a given model year may have been built in another calendar year |
Pairing the make and model, such as Honda Accord, identifies a vehicle family more specifically than either term alone. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) uses separate make and model fields in its manufacturer materials and vehicle data.
What counts as a model?
A model is a vehicle family identified by the manufacturer. In the federal definition, model identification involves the make, line, series, and body type; marketing labels do not always map neatly onto a form’s “model” field. A trim or series name is therefore not automatically the model. When filling out a record, use the vehicle’s documentation or a reliable identification lookup rather than guessing.
For example, Ford is a make and F-150 is a model; Honda is a make and Accord is a model. These pairings identify a vehicle family, but they do not by themselves specify its model year, trim, engine, or exact configuration.
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Model year is not the same as build year
Model year is a designation for a discrete vehicle model under federal regulation. It does not necessarily tell you the calendar year in which that particular vehicle was manufactured. Keep model year and production date distinct when researching a vehicle, checking records, or ordering parts.
How to find your car’s make and model
- Check the registration, title, or manufacturer documentation for separately labeled year, make, and model fields.
- Copy the information as recorded rather than inferring the model from a badge or trim name.
- If the details are unclear, use NHTSA’s VIN decoder for a supported vehicle. NHTSA says its vPIC decoder is intended for model years 1981 forward, and the displayed information is manufacturer-reported.
- If a VIN result or registration record appears wrong, contact the manufacturer and the relevant motor vehicle agency about correcting or confirming the record.
A VIN lookup is an identification aid, not a guarantee that a registration record has been corrected. Vehicles predating the applicable VIN standard are outside the decoder’s stated capability. For forms with different conventions, follow the form’s instructions and check the vehicle documents.
Why the distinction matters
Make and model help identify which vehicle you mean when researching, insuring, maintaining, or registering it. The make alone may refer to many different vehicle families; adding the model narrows the identification. For technical details or parts, the model may not be enough: year, trim, engine, drivetrain, and other configuration details can also matter.
Official records and forms may define or display these fields in particular ways. NHTSA materials treat make, model, and year as separate fields, so use the labels on the relevant document rather than assuming every form uses identical conventions. These explanations reflect U.S. federal sources; naming and registration conventions may differ elsewhere.
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FAQ
What’s the difference between a car’s make and model?
The make is the manufacturer or brand, and the model is the name of a vehicle family from that make. Toyota Camry is one example: Toyota is the make and Camry is the model.
What is the make of my car?
Look for the make field on your registration, title, or manufacturer documentation. A badge may help, but official documents are a better guide when you need the recorded field.
Is model year the same as the year my car was made?
No. Model year is a vehicle designation and may differ from the calendar year when the vehicle was produced. Check documentation for the specific year field you need.
Can I use a VIN to find my car’s make and model?
NHTSA’s vPIC VIN decoder can return manufacturer-reported information for vehicles within its scope. NHTSA says the decoder is intended for model years 1981 forward; consult your vehicle documents and relevant agency if a record needs confirmation or correction.
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