VIN Decoder & Lookup
At VinAudit.com, we offer a comprehensive vehicle history report and basic VIN decoding. Input the VIN and generate a full vehicle history report instantly.
What is the VIN Number?
A VIN or Vehicle Identification Number is a unique 17-character code assigned at manufacturing. It acts as a vehicle’s fingerprint, revealing its origin, manufacturer, model, safety features, production year, and assembly details.
The VIN is essential for vehicle registration, insurance, recalls, and theft recovery, enabling authorities and consumers to track a vehicle’s history and specifications throughout its lifespan. The VIN is divided into three main sections:
The first three VIN digits, known as the WMI, identify the vehicle’s country of origin, manufacturer, and type or division.
Digits 4 through 8 describe the vehicle’s model, body type, restraint system, transmission type, and engine code. The ninth digit serves as a check digit, aiding in detecting counterfeit VINs.
Digits 10 through 17 cover crucial details such as the vehicle’s model year, production number, and plant code. This applies only to vehicles produced in or after 1981, as the VIN format was standardized that year.
The VIN is essential for vehicle registration, insurance, recalls, and theft recovery, enabling authorities and consumers to track a vehicle’s history and specifications throughout its lifespan. The VIN is divided into three main sections:
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
The first three VIN digits, known as the WMI, identify the vehicle’s country of origin, manufacturer, and type or division.
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)
Digits 4 through 8 describe the vehicle’s model, body type, restraint system, transmission type, and engine code. The ninth digit serves as a check digit, aiding in detecting counterfeit VINs.
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)
Digits 10 through 17 cover crucial details such as the vehicle’s model year, production number, and plant code. This applies only to vehicles produced in or after 1981, as the VIN format was standardized that year.
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 |
Common VIN Number Locations on Vehicles
The VIN number’s location can vary slightly across different types of motor vehicles, but it’s often found in a few standard spots. Since the exact placement depends on the vehicle type and manufacturer, checking multiple locations is recommended.
Passenger Cars
- Dashboard: On the driver’s side, near the windshield; visible through the windshield or on a metal plate.
- Driver’s Side Door Jamb: Stamped or printed on a sticker.
Motorcycles
- Steering Neck: Typically located on the steering neck.
- Motor: Near the bottom of the cylinders.
- Frame: Often on the down tube or near the engine.
- Engine Casing: Sometimes stamped on the side of the engine casing.
Recreational Vehicles (RVs)
- Dashboard: Stamped or printed on a metal plate on the driver’s side near the windshield.
- Door Jamb: On a sticker or plate attached to the driver’s side door jamb.
- Other Locations: In storage compartments, on the frame, or near the entry door.
ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles)
- Frame: Commonly located near the handlebars.
- Frame Plate: Sometimes stamped or engraved on a metal plate attached to the frame
Why is a VIN Decoder Useful When Purchasing Used Cars?
When buying a used car, a VIN decoding and lookup are crucial to ensure a smart purchase. Here’s why these tools are essential:
✔ Vehicle History: Provides a comprehensive report including previous owners, accidents, repairs, and potential issues. Helps assess the car’s condition and reliability.
✔ Title Verification: Confirms the vehicle’s title status, ensuring it is free of liens or legal problems to prevent buying stolen or salvaged vehicles.
✔ Mileage Verification: Reveals the vehicle’s mileage history to verify odometer accuracy and detect potential fraud.
✔ Recall Information: Shows any outstanding recalls or safety issues, ensuring necessary repairs or modifications are completed before purchase.
✔ Value Assessment: Offers insights into the vehicle’s market value based on make, model, year, and condition to help negotiate a fair price and
Overall, VIN decoding and lookup empowers both buyers and sellers with essential information that enhances transparency, builds trust, and facilitates smoother transactions in the used car market.
✔ Vehicle History: Provides a comprehensive report including previous owners, accidents, repairs, and potential issues. Helps assess the car’s condition and reliability.
✔ Title Verification: Confirms the vehicle’s title status, ensuring it is free of liens or legal problems to prevent buying stolen or salvaged vehicles.
✔ Mileage Verification: Reveals the vehicle’s mileage history to verify odometer accuracy and detect potential fraud.
✔ Recall Information: Shows any outstanding recalls or safety issues, ensuring necessary repairs or modifications are completed before purchase.
✔ Value Assessment: Offers insights into the vehicle’s market value based on make, model, year, and condition to help negotiate a fair price and
Overall, VIN decoding and lookup empowers both buyers and sellers with essential information that enhances transparency, builds trust, and facilitates smoother transactions in the used car market.
VinAudit’s VIN Decoder and Vehicle History report
Discover the Full Picture with VinAudit!
While other VIN decoding providers may only offer basic details about a vehicle’s specifications, VinAudit goes further. For an in-depth look at a vehicle’s history—including previous ownership, liens, and more—our comprehensive history reports are essential.
VinAudit provides both a VIN decoder and detailed vehicle history service. Our VIN decoder gives you quick access to vehicle specs, while our extensive history reports pull data from a wide range of trusted data sources for a complete view.
Get started with VinAudit today. Access detailed reports for a variety of automotive brands and make informed decisions with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions on VIN Decoder
What to do if I discover problems with a vehicle’s VIN?
First, ensure you’ve entered the correct VIN, which consists of 17 characters including numbers (0-9) and letters (A-Z) except I, O, and Q. Verify that the VIN matches those found in common locations and vehicle documents. If the VIN lookup shows inconsistent details, it may indicate hidden issues, prompting you to reconsider purchasing the vehicle.
How can I use a VIN number to identify a specific vehicle?
You can run a VIN number lookup and use a particular vehicle’s VIN to identify specific information about the vehicle, such as its make, model, engine type, and more.
Is it possible to decode a VIN number manually?
Yes, it is possible to decode a VIN number manually. However, this process can be time-consuming and complicated, especially for people who are not familiar with the process. That’s why most people prefer to use an online VIN number lookup tool.
What does VinAudit's VIN decoder and vehicle history report provide?
For almost one-eighth of the cost of the leading competitor’s services, you get full service from VinAudit.com. Check out the sections of a full VinAudit report and find out more about tools offered as part of the package: market value and ownership cost tools.
Whether you want to uncover hidden accidents, verify mileage, check for recalls, or assess ownership records, our tools provide the essential information you need. Don’t settle for uncertainty – harness the power of data and run our Vehicle History Report and VIN decoder now.
Whether you want to uncover hidden accidents, verify mileage, check for recalls, or assess ownership records, our tools provide the essential information you need. Don’t settle for uncertainty – harness the power of data and run our Vehicle History Report and VIN decoder now.
Can my VIN number tell me what features my car has?
Vehicle identification numbers can reveal many things about vehicles, including their airbag type, country of origin, engine size, model year, vehicle type, trim level and plant name.
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