Free VIN Lookup & Decoder
What is a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)?
Every vehicle is assigned a distinct 17-digit identifier known as a VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number. This code provides crucial details such as the vehicleâs production location and date, its manufacturer, and its specific features and options. Additionally, the VIN can be used to access a vehicleâs history through services like BADVIN, which maintains a comprehensive record based on this number.
The VIN includes a special code to confirm its authenticity, beneficial for buyers, lenders, and legal professionals who need to verify the vehicleâs legitimacy.
An example VIN is as follows: 5TETU62N85Z130001. This format was established by the International Standards Organization (ISO) in 1981 and is used for all vehicles produced today. The digits in the VIN can range from zero to nine and include any letter except "I", "O", and "Q" to prevent confusion with the numbers one and zero.
The VIN can be segmented for easier interpretation, such as 5TE-TU62N-N-8-5-Z1-30001. Further details on what each segment represents will be provided below.
Here are some VIN examples for various vehicle types and models:
What Does Each Number Represent in a VIN?
A vehicle's VIN number provides extensive information about it. The initial digit reveals the manufacturing country. The following two digits identify the vehicle's manufacturer and category. The subsequent five digits describe key vehicle characteristics like the brand and size.
The ninth digit serves as a security check to confirm the VIN's authenticity from the manufacturer. The model year is indicated by the tenth digit. The eleventh digit specifies the assembly plant (refer to the table below). The final six digits constitute the vehicle's serial number.
| VIN Digit | Meaning | VIN Digit | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Country | 10th | Year | |
| 2nd | Region / Maker | 11th | Assembly Plant | |
| 3rd | Vehicle Type | 12th | Sequential Number | |
| 4th | Vehicle Attributes | 13th | Sequential Number | |
| 5th | Vehicle Attributes | 14th | Sequential Number | |
| 6th | Vehicle Attributes | 15th | Sequential Number | |
| 7th | Vehicle Attributes | 16th | Sequential Number | |
| 8th | Vehicle Attributes | 17th | Sequential Number | |
| 9th | Check digit |
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
The first segment of the VIN, known as the WMI, consists of the initial three digits. This code identifies the country of manufacture, the manufacturer itself, and the type of vehicle. Manufacturers producing fewer than 1000 vehicles annually use '9' as the third digit and allocate the fourth to sixth digits for additional identification.
Country Identification
The very first letter of the VIN, ranging from A to Z, specifies the country where the vehicle was produced. For example, a VIN beginning with "AA" to "AH" signifies that the vehicle was manufactured in South Africa.
| 1st WMI Digit | Region | WMI | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| A–C | 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 | ||
| NL* – NR* | Turkey | ||
| PA* – PE* | Philippines | ||
| PL* – PR* | Malaysia | ||
| RF* – RG* | Taiwan | ||
| S–Z | Europe | SA* – SM* | United Kingdom |
| SN* – ST* | Germany | ||
| W** | Germany | ||
| SU* – SZ* | Poland | ||
| TA* – TH* | Switzerland | ||
| TJ* – TP* | Czech Republic | ||
| TR* – TV* | Hungary | ||
| TW* – T1* | Portugal | ||
| VA* – VE* | Austria | ||
| VF* – VR* | France | ||
| VS* – VW* | Spain | ||
| VX* – V2* | Yugoslavia | ||
| XL* – XM* | Netherlands | ||
| XS* – XW* | USSR | ||
| X3* – X0* | Russia | ||
| YA* – YE* | Belgium | ||
| YF* – YK* | Finland | ||
| YS* – YW* | Sweden | ||
| ZA* – ZR* | Italy | ||
| 1–5 | North America | 1** | United States |
| 4** | United States | ||
| 5** | United States | ||
| 2** | Canada | ||
| 3** | Mexico | ||
| 6–7 | Oceania | 6A* – 6W* | Australia |
| 7A* – 7E* | New Zealand | ||
| 8–9 | South America | 8A* – 8E* | Argentina |
| 8F* – 8J* | Chile | ||
| 8L* – 8R* | Ecuador | ||
| 8X* – 82* | Venezuela | ||
| 9A* – 9E* | Brazil | ||
| 93* – 99* | Brazil | ||
| 9F* – 9J* | Colombia |
Manufacturer
The second character of the VIN reveals the vehicleâs manufacturer. For example, '1FD' signifies that Ford Motor Company in the United States manufactured the vehicle.
| WMI | Manufacturer | WMI | Manufacturer | WMI | Manufacturer | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1FT | Ford Motor Company | 1FU | Freightliner | WAU | Audi | ||
| 1FD | Ford Motor Company | 1FV | Freightliner | 1XK | Kenworth USA | ||
| 1GC | Chevrolet | 1HT | International Truck | 1NP | Peterbilt | ||
| 1GT | GMC Truck | JH2 | Honda | 1NK | Kenworth | ||
| 1GT | GMC Truck | 1XP | Peterbilt | 1M2 | Mack Trucks | ||
| 4X4 | Forest River | 1FM | Ford Motor Company | 2GC | Chevrolet | ||
| 1GB | Chevrolet | 1HD | Harley-Davidson | 2FT | Ford Motor Company | ||
| 1GD | GMC | JYA | Yamaha Motor | 1FA | Ford Motor Company | ||
| 4YD | Keystone | 1G1 | Chevrolet | 1GN | Chevrolet | ||
| WBA | BMW | WF0 | Ford Motor Company | WVW | Volkswagen |
Vehicle Type
The third digit of the VIN specifies the type of vehicle, such as '1G1' indicating a Chevrolet passenger car.
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
The VDS spans the fourth to the eighth characters of the VIN and provides details about the vehicle's specific features, which vary by manufacturer. Common information encoded here includes:
Vehicle Attributes: Characteristics like engine type, body style, and restraint system.
Check Digit: The ninth character, serving as a security code to verify the VIN's authenticity, calculated through a prescribed mathematical formula.
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)
The VIS comprises the characters from the tenth to the seventeenth positions in the VIN, detailing:
Year: The 10th character denotes the model year based on a standard VIN-to-Year chart, e.g., 'A' for 1980, 'B' for 1981, etc.
| Code | Year | Code | Year | Code | Year | Code | Year | Code | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1980 | M | 1991 | 2 | 2002 | D | 2013 | R | 2024 |
| B | 1981 | N | 1992 | 3 | 2003 | E | 2014 | S | 2025 |
| C | 1982 | P | 1993 | 4 | 2004 | F | 2015 | T | 2026 |
| D | 1983 | R | 1994 | 5 | 2005 | G | 2016 | V | 2027 |
| E | 1984 | S | 1995 | 6 | 2006 | H | 2017 | W | 2028 |
| F | 1985 | T | 1996 | 7 | 2007 | J | 2018 | X | 2029 |
| G | 1986 | V | 1997 | 8 | 2008 | K | 2019 | Y | 2030 |
| H | 1987 | W | 1998 | 9 | 2009 | L | 2020 | 1 | 2031 |
| J | 1988 | X | 1999 | A | 2010 | M | 2021 | 2 | 2032 |
| K | 1989 | Y | 2000 | B | 2011 | N | 2022 | 3 | 2033 |
| L | 1990 | 1 | 2001 | C | 2012 | P | 2023 | 4 | 2034 |
Assembly Plant: The 11th character identifies the manufacturing plant, with each manufacturer using unique codes for their plants.
Sequential Number: The last six characters (12th to 17th) represent the vehicle's serial number, issued in sequential order by the manufacturer.
Try Your VIN Now
Example: WBXPA93425WD14337
The Importance of VIN Decoder
For Consumers
A VIN decoder is a crucial tool for consumers considering the purchase of a used vehicle. It provides detailed insights into the vehicleâs history, enabling buyers to make well-informed decisions and avoid cars with potential hidden issues.
For Dealerships and Resellers
Dealerships and resellers utilize VIN decoder services to assess the value of their inventory and provide transparent information to potential buyers, thereby enhancing trust and credibility.
For Regulatory Bodies
VIN decoding is essential for law enforcement and regulatory agencies for conducting investigations and ensuring compliance with automotive regulations, making it a vital instrument for maintaining road safety.
A VIN Decoder service clarifies the otherwise complex sequence of characters in a vehicle's identification number, offering access to critical information. Whether itâs a consumer seeking a dependable used car, a dealership focused on transparent operations, or a regulatory body enforcing laws, VIN decoder services are invaluable for deciphering any vehicle's essential details.
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Frequently asked questions
The last six digits of a VIN are the vehicle's unique serial number, which identifies the specific unit among others from the same model and production line.
A VIN plays a crucial role in vehicle recalls for vehicle by helping identify specific vehicles affected by manufacturing issues, ensuring that recall notices are sent to the correct owners.
By entering the VIN into a VIN decoder, you can check if there are any recalls specific to that vehicle vehicle model and year based on its unique history.
Regularly checking your vehicle's VIN for updated information, such as recall or service updates, is advisable, especially after announcements of new safety issues.
A VIN decoder reveals the vehicle's trim level by decoding specific characters of the VIN that relate to the vehicle's series and equipment levels.
A VIN decoder can reveal engine details such as the engine size, configuration, and fuel type, which are encoded in specific characters of the VIN.
While not necessary, decoding a VIN for a routine service appointment can provide the mechanic with precise model information, facilitating accurate service and parts replacement.
VIN decoding can prevent fraud in the sale of vehicle vehicles by ensuring the vehicle's details match those recorded officially, thus confirming its identity and legality.
While a VIN decoder generally does not provide dealership information, it can tell you the region where the vehicle was originally sold.
To find the correct VIN, check multiple locations where it is typically displayed, such as the dashboard, driver's door jamb, and vehicle registration documents, ensuring all instances match exactly.
