Outboard Motor Serial Number Lookup — Find Your Year & Model
Found an old outboard and not sure what year it is? Your serial number holds the answer. Use the brand guides below to decode your motor's year and model — then grab the right service manual so you can actually work on it.
First, which number do you have?
A motor serial/model number identifies the engine. A boat HIN identifies the vessel. They are not interchangeable.
People often say “boat VIN,” but the vessel identifier is called a HIN.
Mercury & Mariner Outboard Serial Number Lookup
Where to find it
Your Mercury serial number is on a metal ID tag or instruction plate on the transom bracket (swivel bracket), either side. On some models, it's also between the thumb screws above the steering tube.
How to decode the year
1996 and newer:
Look for a small box in the bottom-right corner of the ID label. The 2-digit number inside equals the model year. For example: 10 = 2010, 98 = 1998. That's it — no chart needed.
Pre-1996:
Pre-1996 Mercury motors use the model number (not serial number) to determine the year. The model number appears just below the serial number on the same tag. Contact a Mercury dealer or visit marineengine.com/mfr/mercury_models.html with your model number.
Mercury Model Code Quick Reference (suffix letters)
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| E | Electric start |
| H | Tiller handle |
| L | Long shaft (20") |
| XL | Extra-long shaft (25") |
| M | Manual start |
| PT | Power trim |
| O | Oil injection |
| C | Counter-rotating (twin setups) |
Yamaha Outboard Serial Number Lookup
Where to find it
On the transom clamp bracket, port (left) side of the motor. It contains the model code (e.g., F115XA), a prefix code, and the serial number.
How to decode the year — Models 1979–2018
Find the single letter in the bottom-right corner of the ID plate. Match it to the chart:
| Year | Code |
|---|---|
| 1979 | T |
| 1980 | S |
| 1981 | R |
| 1982 | Q |
| 1983 | P |
| 1984 | L |
| 1985 | K |
| 1986 | J |
| 1987 | H |
| 1988 | G |
| 1989 | F |
| 1990 | D |
| 1991 | C |
| 1992 | B |
| 1993 | A |
| 1994 | Z |
| 1995 | Y |
| 1996 | X |
| 1997 | W |
| 1998 | V |
| 1999 | U |
| 2000 | T |
| 2001 | S |
| 2002 | R |
| 2003 | Q |
| 2004 | P |
| 2005 | N |
| 2006 | K |
| 2007 | J |
| 2008 | H |
| 2009 | G |
| 2010 | F |
| 2011 | D |
| 2012 | C |
| 2013 | B |
| 2014 | A |
| 2015 | Z |
| 2016 | Y |
| 2017 | X |
| 2018 | W |
Johnson & Evinrude Outboard Serial Number Lookup
Where to find it
The model number and serial number are on the swivel bracket and also on the powerhead. You need the model number to determine the year.
How to decode the year (1980–2005)
Take the 3rd letter of your model number and the 2nd-to-last letter, combine them — that's your year code.
Example: VE70TLEDA → 3rd letter = E, 2nd-to-last = D → code ED = 1996
| Year | Code |
|---|---|
| 1980 | CS |
| 1981 | CI |
| 1982 | CN |
| 1983 | CT |
| 1984 | CR |
| 1985 | CO |
| 1986 | CD |
| 1987 | CU |
| 1988 | CC |
| 1989 | CE |
| 1990 | ES |
| 1991 | EI |
| 1992 | EN |
| 1993 | ET |
| 1994 | ER |
| 1995 | EO |
| 1996 | ED |
| 1997 | EU |
| 1998 | EC |
| 1999 | EE |
| 2000 | SS |
| 2001 | SI |
| 2002 | SN |
| 2003 | ST |
| 2004 | SR |
| 2005 | SO |
| 2006 | SD |
| 2007 | SU |
Nissan & Tohatsu Outboard Serial Number Lookup
Where to find it
On the transom bracket or stamped on the engine block. Nissan outboards are identical to Tohatsu — same engine, different badge.
How to decode the year (2003 and newer)
Your serial number is 6 digits followed by 2 letters (e.g., 123456XF). The 2 trailing letters indicate the production year using this key:
A=1, B=2, C=3, D=4, E=5, F=6, G=7, H=8, I=9, X=0
Example: 123456XF → X=0, F=6 → 2006
Honda Outboard Serial Number Lookup
Where to find it
Sticker on the transom bracket, port side. Serial starts with the engine family code (e.g., BF50 = 50hp four-stroke).
How to decode
Honda encodes the model year in the model number suffix. For exact year, visit marine.honda.com with your full serial number.
Suzuki Outboard Serial Number Lookup
Where to find it
ID plate on the transom bracket. Serial starts with displacement/model code (e.g., DF60 = 60hp four-stroke).
How to decode
Suzuki encodes the generation in the model suffix. For exact year, use your full model + serial at a Suzuki Marine dealer or suzukimarine.com.
Still Can't Figure Out Your Motor?
- Mercury: marineengine.com/mfr/mercury_models.html
- Yamaha: yamahaoutboards.com/owner-center/owners-manuals
- Tohatsu / Nissan: tohatsu.com/marine/na/contact/wiz_modelyear.html
- iBoats Forums: forums.iboats.com — post your serial number, experienced mechanics will help
Related Resources: Harley-Davidson & V-Twin Aftermarket Parts
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