Manufacturer Certificate of Origin

Data Dictionary > Manufacturer Certificate of Origin

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Manufacturer Certificate of Origin

Synonym: MSO.

A Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO), also known as a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO), is a document certifying a manufacturer built a vehicle. For new vehicles, MCOs are required for the export or import in and out of the U.S. MVAs treat the MCO as a proof of ownership document, prior to the issuance of a title.

The elements on a MCO describe Vehicle and identify the Auto Dealer where the vehicle was shipped. The requirements for the fields needed on an MCO come from State regulations.

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MCO Elements

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MCO Elements

The data on a MCO can vary by manufacturer, vehicle type and when the MCO was issued.

While most major manufacturers now use similar forms for ground vehicles (shown on the left), there are variations in how some of the fields are populated. On older forms there is more variation between the manufacturers.

Vessels are described by different elements and use a different MCO Boat form. The requirements for Boat MCOs come from the USCG.

mcoForm

On the form which is currently popular we see the following fields. These fields are described in detail in the Vehicle section and in the Automobile Dealer sections:

Label on MCO Form	Reference to Element in D20	Note
Date	VVHIND - Vehicle Invoice Date Source of Definition: MCO Source of Data: Manufacturer Synonyms: MCO issue date; Date of the transfer The date the vehicle was invoiced by the manufacturer to the purchaser. Usage Note: This date is used as the "date", on contemporary MCO documents. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): Date	Always included.
Invoice No.	VVHINN - Vehicle Invoice Number Source of Definition: MCO Source of Data: Manufacturer The manufacturer-assigned number affixed to the paperwork when the manufacturer ships the vehicle. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): AN/12
Vehicle Identification No.	VVHIDN - Vehicle Hull ID Number (VIN/HIN) Source of Definition: SAE; NHTSA; D20/79; 49 CFR 565; 49 CFR 567; 33 CFR 181.25 A federal regulation covering the vehicle manufacturer requirements. For details see 33 CFR 181 on eCFR. A federal regulation covering Certification of vehicles. For details see 49 CFR 567 on eCFR. A federal regulation covering the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Requirements. For details see 49 CFR 565 on eCFR. Source of Data: Vehicle (vessel) manufacturer; Commercial vehicle cab card; Labels on the vehicle Synonyms: VIN; HIN; Serial number; Motor number; Chassis number; Hull number A unique combination of alphanumeric characters that identifies a specific vehicle or vessel. The VIN is affixed to the vehicle in specific locations and formulated by the manufacturer. State agencies under some controlled instances may assign a VIN to a vehicle. This field is left justified and is large enough to accommodate VINs created before the VIN format was standardized: Land vehicles, have used a 17 character VIN, since 1982. See NHTSA Title 49 CFR 565 for the format and procedures. Most VINs issued before 1982 were 17 characters or less, but some U.S. truck manufacturers used longer numbers. Vessels, since 1973 vessels should have used a 12 character VIN. See 33 CFR 181.25 for the format and procedures. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): AN/30	Always included.
Year	VVHMYE - Vehicle Model Year Source of Definition: MVA; 49 CFR 565 Source of Data: Vehicle manufacturer; Crash report; Registration files A four digit year, which is assigned to a vehicle by the manufacturer. For the purposes of 49 CFR 565.12, the year used to designate a discrete vehicle model, irrespective of the calendar year in which the vehicle was actually produced, provided that the production period does not exceed 24 months. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): AN/4	Always included.
Make	VVHMAK - Vehicle Make Source of Definition: NCIC Code Manual; D20/79 Source of Data: Vehicle manufacturer; Crash report; Registration files The distinctive (coded) name applied to a group of vehicles by a manufacturer. The NCIC code values are listed in the Vehicle section of the NCIC Code Manual. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): AN/4	Always included.
Body Type	VVHBTM - Vehicle MCO Body/Type/Model Source of Definition: MVA Source of Data: Manufacturer, MVA A general description of a vehicles series model, body type, and/or model name, as recorded on the MCO by the manufacturer. Usage Note: The data recorded in this field varies by manufacturers, from a count of the doors to the model name. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): AN/12	Always included. The format of the contents varies.
Shipping Weight	VVHSHW - Vehicle Ship Weight Source of Definition: MCO Source of Data: Manufacturer The unladen weight of a vehicle when it is shipped from the manufacturer to the purchaser. It includes engine oil, coolant, brake fluid and a small quantity of fuel, as vehicles have traditionally been driven off the assembly line and these fluids were necessary to do so. This element holds the numeric quantity, using the default units of measure of the jurisdiction. Given a source document showing "14,500 LB/6,577 KG", this element would hold a value of 14500 in a U.S. jurisdiction. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): N/9	Always included.
HP SAE	VVHMHP - MCO Vehicle Horsepower Source of Definition: NICB; Manufacturer Source of Data: Manufacturer The energy capacity of the vehicle provided by the manufacturer. Many manufacturers provide this value in a "2340 " format, other manufacturers provide it formatted as "234.0" or even a code like "G ". Logical Format (Type/Max Length): AN/5
GVWR	VVHVWR - Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Source of Definition: 49 CFR 571; 49 CFR 567; D20/79; e-Title; A federal regulation covering Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. For details see 49 CFR 571 on eCFR. Source of Data: Vehicle Manufacturer Synonyms: GVWR; Laden Weight, Loaded Weight. A vehicle has only one vehicle Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which is assigned at the point of manufacture. It represents the greatest allowable load for that vehicle, including trailers. This element holds the numeric quantity, using the default units of measure of the jurisdiction. Given a source document showing "14,500 LB/6,577 KG", this element would hold a value of 14500 in a U.S. jurisdiction. Usage Note: Safety is the primary reason for the GVWR of a vehicle, so a vehicle should never be loaded beyond the manufacturer's listed GVWR. There are a number of factors that determine the GVWR such as spacing of axles, number of tires, size of tires, capacity of the suspension and take into account the base curb weight of the vehicle plus the weight of any optional accessories, cargo, passengers and the tongue weight of a trailer. U.S. law 49 CFR 571.3 requires the manufacturers to set the appropriate GVWR and requires NHTSA to test vehicles operate safely within the specified GVWR. 26 CFR 145.4051 specifies taxes due on heavy trucks and trailers sold at retail, its rules provide direction on how the GVWR is calculated. When the manufacturer sets a GVWR value lower than the taxable GVWR, the manufacturer must maintain adequate records of the calculations that support their rationale. Federal regulations for Excise Tax Regulations for heavy trucks and trailers sold at retail, under the Highway Revenue Act of 1982. For details see 26 CFR 145 on eCFR. 49 CFR 567.4 requires manufacturers to post the GVWR in the Vehicle ID Plate. This rule specifies where the plate is to be located, for trucks and cars the preferred location is on inside the vehicle's door frame on the B-pillar. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): N/9	Included for trucks.
No. Cyls.	VVHNCY - Vehicle Number Of Cylinders Source of Definition: MVAs Source of Data: Manufacturer A count of the cylinders contained in an engine in the vehicle or vessel. If the vehicle has: A rotary engine, a value of '99' is used. An electric engine, a value of zero is used. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): AN/2	Always included, but may be zero for an electric car.
Series or Model	VVHMSM - Vehicle MCO Series Model Source of Definition: MVA Source of Data: Manufacturer, MVA A name recorded on the MCO, denoting a family of vehicle/vessel, within a make, that has a degree of similarity in construction, such as body, chassis, etc. Usage Note: Some manufacturers provide an internal model code. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): AN/12	Always included. The format of the contents varies.
Name of Dealer	VDLNAM - Dealer Name Source of Definition: MVA Source of Data: NICB, Automobile dealer A name of the dealer involved with the purchase/sale of a vehicle. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): AN/35 VDLMAD - Dealer Mailing Address Source of Definition: MVA Source of Data: NICB, MVA, Lien holder A mailing address of the auto-dealer involved with the purchase or sale of a vehicle. See the Address Format for details of how the address components are held. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): AN/108	The name is always included. The address is usually included.
	VVHMMN - Vehicle MCO Manufacturer Name Source of Definition: MVAs Source of Data: Manufacturer; MCO Synonyms: Make name The legally registered name of a manufacturer or importer of vehicles, as it appears on the MCO. Usage Note: This name can deviate from the commonly used name for the make, particularly for an importer of foreign makes. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): AN/30
Signature
City State	VVHMMC - Vehicle MCO Manufacturer City & State Source of Definition: MVAs Source of Data: Manufacturer; MCO The name of the city and state where the manufacturer has their main office. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): AN/30
	VVHMCN - Vehicle MCO Number Source of Definition: MVAs Source of Data: Manufacturer; MCO An identifier of a given MCO form. Logical Format (Type/Max Length): AN/15	Normally printed in red.
		Manufacturers may include additional applicable notes and memos on the form.

Other fields that may appear on an MCO (particularly an older MCO), include:

Reference to Element

Note

VDLCOD - Dealer Code

Some manufactures include their dealer reference number next to the dealer name.

VVHSEN - Vehicle Stamped Engine Number

Included by some manufacturers.

VVHESC - Vehicle Emission Standards Code

Information about these elements may be included, as text in the bottom left corner of the form.

VVHFIN - Vehicle Finance Indicator

VVHEXI - Vehicle Export Indicator

VVHSHD - Vehicle Ship Date

Some old MCOs had this.

VVHMCL - Vehicle/Vessel Manufacturer's Major Color

Some old MCOs had the manufacturer's color code (e.g. Kia used code "A1" for "Vanilla Shake", which is beige).

VVHMCM - Vehicle/Vessel Manufacturer's Minor Color

Some old MCOs had the manufacturer's color.

VVHNTR - Vehicle Nominal Ton Rate

Some old MCOs had this, in place of the GVWR.

The following derived MCO element is also documented in D20, see: VVHMCO - Vehicle Paper MCO Issued

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