Nissan VIN Decoder: How to Read Your Car’s VIN
Your Nissan’s VIN isn’t random — it tells you where it was built, what year it is, and whether the car you’re buying has a mismatched, red-flag number
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Content reviewer · Old Orchard Nissan Blog
Tim McKay
Fixed Operations Director, Bear Auto Group / Old Orchard Nissan
Tim leads fixed operations — service and parts — at Old Orchard Nissan for Bear Auto Group. He reviews our model comparisons, buyer guides, parts, ownership and financing articles before they are published.
- 14Blog articles reviewed
- Service + PartsDepartments he oversees
- Bear Auto GroupDealer group
About
About Tim
Fixed operations is the part of a dealership that keeps cars on the road after the sale: the service department, the parts department and everything that connects them. As Fixed Operations Director, Tim oversees both at Old Orchard Nissan, part of Bear Auto Group.
That view across service and parts is what he brings to our articles. When we compare two models, he checks the claims that matter years into ownership: maintenance, parts availability and what it takes to keep the vehicle running.
He also reviews our guides to reading a VIN, where Nissan builds its trucks and Nissan’s performance line, from NISMO to the GT-R.
Expert review
What Tim reviews on our blog
Tim reviews the articles where long-term ownership, parts and model differences decide the answer. How the review fits into our process is described in our editorial policy.
- Model comparisons — Rogue vs. RAV4, Rogue vs. Equinox, Sentra vs. Altima, Pathfinder vs. Pilot, Frontier vs. Tacoma and Kicks vs. Trax.
- Buyer guides — what to know before buying a new Nissan Altima.
- Parts — genuine Nissan parts and where to get them near Chicago.
- VIN decoding — what each character of a Nissan VIN tells you.
- How Nissans are built — where Nissan trucks are made and why it matters.
- Performance models — NISMO and the evolution of the GT-R.
- Leasing and financing — what to look for in a Nissan lease deal and how car-loan pre-approval works.
Expertise
Areas of expertise
- Dealership fixed operations
- Service and parts department management
- Genuine Nissan parts and accessories
- Vehicle ownership and maintenance costs
- Nissan model lineup and comparisons
- VIN decoding and vehicle build data
On the blog
Articles reviewed by Tim McKay
Every article below was written by the Old Orchard Nissan Editorial Team and reviewed and verified by Tim before publication.
How Car Loan Pre-Approval Works
Pre-qualified or pre-approved — same thing? Here’s the real difference, what it does to your credit, and how the process plays out before you shop
Read the articleThe Evolution of the GT-R: From Skyline to Supercar
Why was the Skyline GT-R banned in the US? What does “Godzilla” mean? Straight answers to the questions people ask about Nissan’s legendary nameplate
Read the articleExploring NISMO Performance
NISMO isn’t a trim you can order on every Nissan — it’s a 40-year racing division. What the name means, and which current models really have it
Read the articleNissan Rogue vs Chevy Equinox (Chicago Buyer’s Guide)
Comparing the 2026 Nissan Rogue and Chevy Equinox on price, size, cargo space, AWD, and safety — see which fits Chicago winters best
Read the articleNissan Sentra vs Altima: Which Nissan Sedan Is Right for You?
Comparing the 2026 Nissan Sentra and Altima on price, fuel economy, AWD, and space — see which Nissan sedan fits Chicago driving best.
Read the articleNissan Pathfinder vs Honda Pilot: 3-Row SUV Showdown
Comparing the 2026 Nissan Pathfinder and Honda Pilot on price, towing, cargo space, and reliability — see which 3-row SUV fits Chicago families.
Read the articleNissan Frontier vs Toyota Tacoma: Which Midsize Truck Wins?
Comparing the 2026 Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma on power, towing, safety, and reliability — see which midsize truck fits Chicagoland driving
Read the articleNissan Kicks vs. Chevy Trax: Which Small SUV Wins a Chicago Winter?
Kicks vs Trax for Chicago winters? Compare price, MPG, AWD, cargo, and safety tech - plus why the AWD question decides it. From Old Orchard Nissan, Skokie
Read the articleNissan Rogue vs. RAV4: A Side-by-Side Comparison for Chicagoland Drivers
Compare 2026 Nissan Rogue vs Toyota RAV4 - price, MPG, AWD & cargo. Test drive both at Old Orchard Nissan in Skokie, IL. Serving Evanston, Niles & Glenview.
Read the articleNissan Pathfinder Lease Deals Near Niles, IL: How to Get the Right One
Shopping Pathfinder lease deals near Niles or Skokie? See how leasing works at Old Orchard Nissan — current offers, mileage tips, and lease-end options.
Read the articleGenuine Nissan Parts Near Chicago: What to Buy, Where, and Why It Matters
Need Nissan parts near Chicago? Genuine OEM parts, factory-trained advice, and fast ordering at Old Orchard Nissan in Skokie. All models, all years.
Read the article2025 Nissan Altima Buyer Guide Near Evanston IL
Everything you need to know before buying a 2025 Nissan Altima. Explore specs, safety features, and AWD options at Old Orchard Nissan near Evanston, IL.
Read the articleWhere Are Nissans Made? Every Model and Plant Explained
See where every Nissan is built — Smyrna, Canton, Japan, and Mexico — model by model, and what it means for Chicagoland drivers. Full 2026 guide
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Service & parts
Talk to Tim’s service and parts teams
Need a part, a service appointment or an answer about something you read on our blog? Both departments are open Monday through Saturday.