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Decode Any VIN for Instant Vehicle Information
Need to decode a VIN fast? VinAudit’s free VIN decoder and VIN lookup tool instantly unlock vehicle specifications, title records, accident history, and more. Whether you’re buying, selling, or researching, our free VIN number lookup provides trusted details for any 17-digit VIN. Try it now for fast, reliable results!
What is a VIN Decoder?
A VIN decoder is an online tool that analyzes a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) — a unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle. By decoding the VIN, you can uncover important details such as the vehicle’s manufacturer, model, engine type, year of production, and place of assembly.
Are you buying, selling, repairing, or insuring a vehicle? A VIN decoder helps you verify the authenticity and specifications of a car quickly and accurately.
Checking the VIN Number
To use a VIN decoder, you first need to locate the VIN number on your vehicle. Its exact location can vary depending on the vehicle type and manufacturer, but it’s typically found in a few standard areas.
Click to View Typical VIN Locations by Vehicle Type
| Vehicle Type | VIN Location |
|---|---|
| Passenger Cars |
|
| Motorcycles |
|
| Recreational Vehicles (RVs) |
|
| ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles) |
|
In addition to these physical locations, the VIN can often be found on your registration certificate, insurance documents, and service or maintenance records.
What You Can Find from a Free VIN Lookup
A free VIN lookup from VinAudit reveals essential vehicle information to help you make smarter decisions. Instantly access key specs, production details, and critical records—all decoded directly from the 17-digit VIN. Here’s what you can find:
- ✅ Engine size, fuel type, drivetrain, and trim
- ✅ Production year and factory of assembly
- ✅ Body style and transmission type
- ✅ Recall records and optional vehicle history reports (accidents, title, theft)
Free VIN number lookup is the first step to making confident vehicle decisions.
VIN Explained: Digit-by-Digit Breakdown
Each character in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) reveals important information about a vehicle’s origin, specifications, and history. Below is a detailed breakdown of how VINs are structured, with a visual diagram and full reference tables for World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMI) and Vehicle Identifier Sections (VIS).
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI): Country and Manufacturer Codes
The first three digits of the VIN, known as the WMI reveal the country where the vehicle was manufactured, the manufacturer itself, and its division. Here’s the full WMI breakdown:
| WMI | Region | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 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, 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 = 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 | ||
| 8-9 | South America | 8A-8E = Argentina |
| 8F-8J = Chile | ||
| 8L-8R = Ecuador | ||
| 8X-82 = Venezuela | ||
| 9A-9E, 93-99 = Brazil | ||
| 9F-9J = Colombia |
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS): Model and Body Information
Digits 4 through 8 or VDS describe the vehicle’s model, body style, engine type, transmission type, and other important features.
Check Digit: VIN Authentication
The 9th digit of the VIN is a check digit, used to verify that the VIN is valid and correctly assigned by the manufacturer.
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS): Model Year and Serial Number
Digits 10 through 17 of the VIN indicate the model year, assembly plant, and the vehicle’s unique serial number. Here’s the full VIS breakdown:
| Year | Code | Year | Code | Year | Code | Year | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | A | 1995 | S | 2010 | A | 2025 | S |
| 1981 | B | 1996 | T | 2011 | B | 2026 | T |
| 1982 | C | 1997 | V | 2012 | C | 2027 | V |
| 1983 | D | 1998 | W | 2013 | D | 2028 | W |
| 1984 | E | 1999 | X | 2014 | E | 2029 | X |
| 1985 | F | 2000 | Y | 2015 | F | 2030 | Y |
| 1986 | G | 2001 | 1 | 2016 | G | 2031 | 1 |
| 1987 | H | 2002 | 2 | 2017 | H | 2032 | 2 |
| 1988 | J | 2003 | 3 | 2018 | J | 2033 | 3 |
| 1989 | K | 2004 | 4 | 2019 | K | 2034 | 4 |
| 1990 | L | 2005 | 5 | 2020 | L | 2035 | 5 |
| 1991 | M | 2006 | 6 | 2021 | M | 2036 | 6 |
| 1992 | N | 2007 | 7 | 2022 | N | 2037 | 7 |
| 1993 | P | 2008 | 8 | 2023 | P | 2038 | 8 |
| 1994 | R | 2009 | 9 | 2024 | R | 2039 | 9 |
Compare VIN Decoding Services: VinAudit vs. NHTSA, Carfax, and NICB
Not all VIN decoding tools are the same. While some free services provide only basic vehicle specifications, others offer deeper insights into title history, accident records, and theft status. Here’s how VinAudit compares to other popular VIN decoding services:
| Feature | VinAudit | NHTSA | Carfax | NICB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Specifications | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Title Information | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Accident History | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Theft Records | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ (limited) |
| Recall Information | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Cost | Free VIN decoding; paid full reports | Free | Paid | Free (theft checks only) |
Use Cases for VIN Decoding
VIN decoding has a wide range of applications across the automotive industry. Decoding a VIN ensures accurate decisions based on verified vehicle data:
- Buying or selling a used vehicle: Verify specifications and model details before committing to a purchase or listing a vehicle for sale.
- Checking specifications before repairs or parts ordering: Ensure you have accurate engine, transmission, and trim information to order compatible parts and accessories.
- Insurance underwriting or risk assessment: Confirm a vehicle’s build details and history to help insurance companies assess premiums and coverage risks.
- Auction evaluations: Decode VINs quickly at auto auctions to assess vehicle conditions, configurations, and resale potential.
- Fleet management and documentation: Maintain accurate records of fleet vehicle specifications for maintenance planning, resale valuation, and compliance documentation.
If your business needs VIN decoding at scale, explore the VinAudit Vehicle Specifications API — a fast, reliable solution for integrating detailed vehicle data directly into your platform.
How VinAudit’s Free VIN Lookup Tool Works
VinAudit’s free VIN decoder makes it easy to unlock a vehicle’s essential details in seconds.
- Enter your 17-character VIN number in the search box.
- Click “Check VIN” to start decoding instantly.
- Access basic vehicle details for free, with an option to purchase a full history report.
VinAudit’s free VIN lookup tool instantly retrieves basic vehicle details, but if you need a full history including title, accident, and theft records, you can upgrade to a full vehicle history report which also available through search by license plate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the VIN lookup really free?
Yes! VinAudit offers a completely free VIN number lookup for vehicle specifications and essential information. You only pay if you choose to upgrade to a full title and accident history report.
How accurate is a free VIN number lookup?
Where can I find a VIN number on my vehicle?
What’s the difference between a full VIN check and a VIN decoder?
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