VIN Decoder

Instantly decode any vehicle identification number to reveal the make, model, year, engine etc.

What is a VIN decoder?

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle manufactured since 1981. Think of it as your car's fingerprint. No two vehicles in the world share the same VIN. A VIN decoder reads this code and translates each section into plain language, giving you details about the vehicle's manufacturer, specifications, model year, and production history. Whether you are buying a used car, verifying a vehicle's identity, or pulling a full vehicle history report, understanding the VIN is the first step.

Vehicle manufacturer
Vehicle’s brand, body style, engine size and type, model series, etc.
Model year
Vehicle’s production number (serial number)
1
C
6
R
R
E
F
G
1
R
N
1
6
9
9
1
8
Country of manufacturer
Vehicle type or division
Security check digit
Assembly plant
[ 1 ]
Position 1

Country of Manufacture

The first character identifies the country where the vehicle was built. For example, 1 = United States, 2 = Canada, J = Japan, W = Germany, and K = South Korea.

1

United States

2

Canada

3

Mexico

4

United States

5

United States

6

Australia

8

Argentina

9

Brazil

J

Japan

K

South Korea

L

China

M

India (MA–ME), Indonesia (MF–MK), Thailand (ML–MR)

N

Turkey (NF–NK)

P

Philippines (PA–PE)

R

Taiwan (RF–RK)

S

United Kingdom (SA–SM), Germany (SN–ST)

T

Switzerland (TA–TH), Czech Republic (TJ–TP)

V

France (VF–VR), Spain (VS–VW)

W

Germany

X

Russia (XS–XW)

Y

Sweden (YS–YW), Finland (YX–Y2)

Z

Italy (ZA–ZR)

[ C ]
Position 2

Manufacturer

The second character identifies the vehicle manufacturer or the division within a larger corporation. In this example, C represents Chrysler.

[ 6 ]
Position 3

Vehicle Type or Division

The third character identifies the vehicle type, division, or manufacturing category within the manufacturer. In this example, 6 helps indicate that 1C6 refers to a Chrysler truck built in the United States.

[ 1C6 ]
Position 1-3

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

The first three characters together form the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). This code identifies the vehicle's manufacturer, vehicle type, and country or region of origin. Here, 1C6 identifies a Chrysler truck built in the United States.

1C4

Chrysler (USA)

1FA

Ford (USA)

1G1

Chevrolet (USA)

1GC

GMC (USA)

1HD

Harley-Davidson (USA)

2HG

Honda (Canada)

3VW

Volkswagen (Mexico)

5YJ

Tesla (USA)

JHM

Honda (Japan)

JN1

Nissan (Japan)

JTD

Toyota (Japan)

KMH

Hyundai (South Korea)

KNA

Kia (South Korea)

SAJ

Jaguar (UK)

SAL

Land Rover (UK)

WA1

Audi (Germany)

WBA

BMW (Germany)

WDB

Mercedes-Benz (Germany)

WP0

Porsche (Germany)

WVW

Volkswagen (Germany)

YV1

Volvo (Sweden)

ZAR

Alfa Romeo (Italy)

ZFF

Ferrari (Italy)

[ RREFG ]
Position 4-8

Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

Characters 4 through 8 describe the vehicle's core attributes, including the model, body style, engine size and type, transmission, and series. This section varies by manufacturer, but it always captures the key specifications that define the vehicle's configuration.

[ 1 ]
Position 9

Security Check Digit

The ninth character is a calculated check digit used to verify the VIN is legitimate. It is determined by a mathematical formula applied to all other characters in the VIN. If any character is altered, the check digit will no longer match, helping to detect fraud and transcription errors.

[ R ]
Position 10

Model Year

The tenth character represents the vehicle's model year. Letters and numbers are used in a rotating sequence. For example, R = 2024, S = 2025, and T = 2026. This character allows you to quickly identify when the vehicle was produced.

A

1980, 2010

B

1981, 2011

C

1982, 2012

D

1983, 2013

E

1984, 2014

F

1985, 2015

G

1986, 2016

H

1987, 2017

J

1988, 2018

K

1989, 2019

L

1990, 2020

M

1991, 2021

N

1992, 2022

P

1993, 2023

R

1994, 2024

S

1995, 2025

T

1996, 2026

V

1997, 2027

W

1998, 2028

X

1999, 2029

Y

2000, 2030

1

2001, 2031

2

2002, 2032

3

2003, 2033

4

2004, 2034

5

2005, 2035

6

2006, 2036

7

2007, 2037

8

2008, 2038

9

2009, 2039

[ N ]
Position 11

Assembly Plant Code

The eleventh character identifies the specific factory where the vehicle was assembled. Each manufacturer assigns unique codes to its assembly plants around the world.

[ 169918 ]
Position 12-17

Production Sequence Number

The final six characters form the vehicle's unique serial number within its production run. This sequence number distinguishes each individual vehicle from every other vehicle of the same make, model, and year built at the same plant.

What decoding reveals

Every character in a VIN carries meaning. Here's what our free decoder uncovers.

Make & Model

Identify the automaker and brand behind the vehicle, from the parent company to the specific division that produced it.

Model Year

Confirm the exact model year encoded in the VIN, essential for verifying a seller's claims and determining age-related wear.

Assembly Plant

Find out where the vehicle was built, including the specific factory and country of assembly.

Engine Type

Decode engine specifications including displacement, cylinder count, fuel type, and horsepower range.

Transmission

Determine whether the vehicle has an automatic, manual, or CVT transmission and its specific configuration.

Body Style

Identify the vehicle's body configuration including sedan, SUV, coupe, convertible, truck, or wagon.

Drive Type

Learn whether the vehicle is front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or four-wheel drive.

Safety Equipment

See the safety features encoded in the VIN, including airbag types, seat belt configurations, and restraint systems.

Trim Level

Decode the specific trim package and equipment level, helping you understand exactly what features came standard.

Country of Origin

Identify the country where the vehicle was manufactured, distinct from the brand's headquarters location.

Why Decode a VIN?

Whether you’re buying, selling, or maintaining a vehicle, decoding the VIN is the essential first step.

Buying a Vehicle

Verify a seller’s claims before you commit. Decode the VIN to confirm the year, make, model, engine, and trim match the listing. Catch misrepresentations about mileage-relevant specs or trim packages before they become costly mistakes.

Selling a Vehicle

Build buyer confidence by providing accurate, verified vehicle specifications. A decoded VIN report shows transparency, helps justify your asking price, and speeds up the sale process.

Vehicle Maintenance

Know exactly what you’re working with. Decode your VIN to confirm engine type, transmission, and factory equipment for accurate parts ordering, maintenance schedules, and insurance verification.

Browse Make-Specific VIN Information

Start with the main decoder when you have a VIN ready, or jump into one of our reviewed make pages. Each page stays focused on the practical identity checks that help before you review title, mileage, accident, and recall history.

B

C

F

G

H

J

K

L

M

N

R

S

T

V

Frequently Asked Questions

Can't find what you're looking for? Reach our team at support@vinreport.com.

What is a VIN decoder?

A VIN decoder is a tool that reads the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number assigned to every vehicle and translates each character into meaningful information. It reveals details like the manufacturer, model year, engine type, assembly plant, and body style — all from a single code.

Is it free to decode a VIN?

What information can I get from decoding a VIN?

Can I decode a VIN from any country?

What's the difference between a VIN decoder and a vehicle history report?

Are VINs the same length for all vehicles?

Can a VIN tell me if a car has been in an accident?

Where can I find the VIN on my vehicle?

Is it safe to share my VIN publicly?

Why does my VIN have only 11 characters?

Decode Any VIN for Free

Enter a 17-character VIN to confirm the vehicle identity before you move into title, mileage, accident, flood, and recall research.