I was curious about the VIN format also, and found this interesting report: http://www.kerrywilson.com/vin.htm

This contradicts Haraclid somewhat - but my VIN didn't work with that formula (it ends with D01395). According to this document, the 10th character is the year of manufacture:

B = 1981 G = 1986 M = 1991 T = 1996 1 = 2001 6 = 2006

C = 1982 H = 1987 N = 1992 V = 1997 2 = 2002 7 = 2007

D = 1983 J = 1988 P = 1993 W = 1998 3 = 2003 8 = 2008

E = 1984 K = 1989 R = 1994 X = 1999 4 = 2004 9 = 2009

F = 1985 L = 1990 S = 1995 Y = 2000 5 = 2005