Honda outboard year from the type code (1998–2006)

Reviewed 2026-10-152 primary sourcesSee sources

Honda’s model identification guide shows a model year code inside the outboard’s type designation, right after the horsepower: AW is 1998, AX 1999, AY 2000 and A1 to A6 are 2001 to 2006, with D-series portables using D in place of A. Honda publishes no year code for later models or for the frame serial number.

Covers: Honda BF outboards with a model year code in the type designation, model years 1998–2006.

Where to find the numbers

• The frame serial number is stamped on a metal plate on or near the stern bracket. It takes the form of four characters, a dash and seven digits.^[2]

Formats Honda publishes

The decoder checks your number against each of these. A number can fit more than one era; the decoder then shows every possible reading.

BF + horsepower + year codemodel years 1998–2006

K0 or K1 in the same spot marks a serial number break, not a model year.^[1]

What Honda says

Serial number breaks

In Honda’s type designations, K0 and K1 (or DK0 and DK1 on D-series) mark a change in serial numbering, not a year.^[1]

Worked examples

• BF25AW: AW after the horsepower means model year 1998. Illustrative type code, not a real engine.^[1]

What these numbers can’t tell you

• Honda publishes no year code for models after 2006 or for the frame serial number.^[1]
• Honda’s guide was revised in December 2012 and doesn’t show 1997 codes clearly; we don’t decode 1997.^[1]
• Model year of Honda outboards from 2007 on, from any number on the engine.

Ask Honda

• Honda outboard serial number locator: Honda’s page on finding the frame serial number.^[2]