Ducati VINs Decoded

VIN and Engine Number Location

The VIN is stamped on the right side of the steering head, and the engine number is located on the left side of the engine, just below the water pump.


Ducati US Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Post-1980 US models and post-2002 non-US models have a 17-character VIN as follows:

Characters 1-3: World Manufacturer Identifier

Z = Italy
D = Ducati
M = Motorcycle ( i.e. ZDM = Ducati)

Character 4: Motorcycle Type

1 = street version
2 = dual purpose version
3 = off-highway racing version

Character 5: Motorcycle Model

D = (example: 1987 Paso 748)
G = (example: 1987 750 F1 Laguna Seca)
H = homologation model
K = (example: 1990 750 Sport)
L = supersport
M = (example: 1992 Paso 9071e)
N = (example: 1993 750SS)
P = (example: 1995 E900 Elefant)
S = hypersport/superbike
R = monster,
T = sport touring
U = 9X9 series
V = Multistrada

Character 6: Engine Type

A = air-cooled twin
B = liquid-cooled twin
C = air/oil-cooled twin
7 = race model variations
9 = race model variation

Character 7: Engine Displacement

1 = (examples: none)
2 = 600cc (examples: 620SS)
3 = 750cc (examples: Paso 748, 750 Sport, 750SS, 748/R, Monster 750, 749)
3 = Australian 1996 900SS
4 = 900cc (examples: 900SS, M900e Mike Hailwood)
5 = (examples: 996, 998, 999, ST4S)
6 = (examples: 851)
6 =
7 = (examples: 888 SPO)
8 = (examples: 916, Monster S4, Monster 1000)
9 = (examples: 996R)
0 = (examples: Mike Hailwood Mille 1000)

Character 8: Net Brake Horsepower

The following examples are for US models except where noted.

H = (examples: 1990 750 Sport)

K = (examples: 1999 750SS, 2003 620SS)
L = (examples: 1995 E900 Elefant, 1998 Monster 750)
M = (examples: 1993 750SS, 1987 750 F1 Laguna Seca)
N = (examples: 1987 Paso 748, 1992 Paso 907ie, 1992 900SS, 1994 Monster 900, 1999 900SS, 2002 MH900e Mike Hailwood)

P = (examples: 1998 ST2, 2003 Monster 1000, 2004 Multistrada)

R = (examples: Mille 1000 Mike Hailwood, 1990 851, 1993 888SPO, 1998 748/S)
S = (examples: 1995 916, 2002 Monster S4, 2000 748R, 2003 749)
T = (examples: 1988 851 Tri-Color Racer, 2000 996/S, 2002 ST4S, 2003 999)

V = (examples: 1998 916SPS, 2000 996SPS, 1999 998/998S, 2003 999S)

Character 9: Check Digit

A calculated number is used to verify the validity of the VIN.
A single number or the letter X only.

Character 10: Model Year Code

9 = 1979

A = 1980
B = 1981
C = 1982
D = 1983
E = 1984
F = 1985
G = 1986
H = 1987

J = 1988
K = 1989
L = 1990
M = 1991
N = 1992
P = 1993

R = 1994
S = 1995
T = 1996

V = 1997
W = 1998
X = 1999
Y = 2000

1 = 2001
2 = 2002
3 = 2003
4 = 2004
5 = 2005

Character 11: Manufacturing Plant Code

B = Bologna Italy
V = Varese Italy (the old MV factory)

Characters 12-17: Production Number (six-digit sequential)



Ducati Pre-2002 Non-US Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

Prior to 2002, non-US models were assigned a 17-character VIN that does not embody a check digit character that's been required by USDOT since 1980.

Example - 1999 Eurospec 996SPS VIN: ZDMH100AAXB002526