VIN Number Decoder and Lookup
Decode Your Vehicle VIN for Free
What is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and how does it work?
A vehicle identification number (VIN) is an alphanumeric code assigned to every automobile when it’s built. The VIN is a 17-character sequence of letters and numbers that does not contain the letters Q (q), I (i), or O (o); these are removed to avoid confusion with the numerals 0 and 1. The make and model, as well as the serial number, are all recorded in each section of the VIN. VINs are generally written in a single line.
How to Get the VIN Number for Any Vehicle?
On the driver’s side of most passenger vehicles, you’ll find the VIN number on the front of the dashboard, exactly where you’d expect it. The best way to see it is from outside the vehicle; look through the windshield from afar. The VIN number may also be found on the door pillar of a car’s driver’s side. On a motorbike, it’s usually near or on top of the handlebars, but it can also be near or on top of
If the VIN number isn’t on the car, you should be able to find it on your vehicle’s title or liability insurance papers.
How to Use the VIN Decoder to Check a Vehicle’s VIN Number?
To view and get an instant report on the manufacturer, brand, make and model, body style, engine size, assembly plant, and model year of your car or truck, enter its 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the box above. The data was supplied by manufacturers to NHTSA via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Because of this VIN lookup is intended for use with cars manufactured after 1981. If your vehicle was built before 1981, it will most likely have 11 digits on its VIN.
Why is the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Important?
VINs are used in many data registries to record information about a vehicle’s history. If you’re looking to purchase a used automobile, checking the VIN is an excellent method to obtain the vehicle’s history report and discover records of its previous owners, incidents, and repairs. You may also determine whether the manufacturer has ever issued a recall for the car and whether any necessary repairs have been performed. Finally, law enforcement authorities do VIN checks to identify stolen cars.
Character Codes for Model Year
| Code | Year | Code | Year | Code | Year | Code | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1980 | M | 1991 | 2 | 2002 | D | 2013 |
| B | 1981 | N | 1992 | 3 | 2003 | E | 2014 |
| C | 1982 | P | 1993 | 4 | 2004 | F | 2015 |
| D | 1983 | R | 1994 | 5 | 2005 | G | 2016 |
| E | 1984 | S | 1995 | 6 | 2006 | H | 2017 |
| F | 1985 | T | 1996 | 7 | 2007 | J | 2018 |
| G | 1986 | V | 1997 | 8 | 2008 | K | 2019 |
| H | 1987 | W | 1998 | 9 | 2009 | L | 2020 |
| J | 1988 | X | 1999 | A | 2010 | M | 2021 |
| K | 1989 | Y | 2000 | B | 2011 | N | 2022 |
| L | 1990 | 1 | 2001 | C | 2012 | P | 2023 |
Country of Origin Character Codes according to World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
The first three characters of every VIN number identify the manufacturer of the car. This is known as the World Manufacturer Identifier or WMI code, which uniquely identifies the manufacturer.
| WMI | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A-H | Africa | AA-AH = South Africa |
| J-R | Asia | >J = Japan KL-KR = South Korea L = China MA-ME = India MF-MK = Indonesia ML-MR = Thailand MS = Myanmar PA-PE = Philippines PL-PR = Malaysia RF-RG = Taiwan |
| S-Z | Europe | SA-SM = United Kingdom SN-ST, W = Germany SU-SZ = Poland TA-TH = Switzerland TJ-TP = Czech Republic TR-TV = Hungary TW = Portugal VA-VE = Austria VF-VR = France VS-VW = Spain VX-V2 = Yugoslavia XL-XM = The Netherlands XS-XW = USSR X3-X0 = Russia YA-YE = Belgium YF-YK = Finland YS-YW = Sweden ZA-ZR = Italy |
| 1-5 | North America | 1, 4, 5 = United States 2 = Canada 3 = Mexico |
| 6-7 | Oceania | 6A-6W = Australia 7A-7E = New Zealand |
| 8-0 | South America | 8A-8E = Argentina 8F-8J = Chile 8X-82 = Venezuela 9A-9E, 93-99 = Brazil 9F-9J = Colombia |
Choose Your Car Make
You can select your car make to decode manufacturer specific vin number.
