🚗VIN Decoder

About this tool

Enter a 17-character VIN from the dashboard, door frame or registration document. The tool shows each section of the number, the manufacturer, the region, the model year, whether the check digit is valid, the plant code and the serial number.

How a VIN is structured

Since 1981, vehicles have a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number defined by ISO 3779. Positions 1–3 are the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). The first character is the region (1–5 North America, J–R Asia, S–Z Europe), and the three together identify the maker, such as 1HG for Honda USA, WBA for BMW Germany and SAL for Land Rover UK. Positions 4–8 describe the model, body and engine using each maker's own codes. Position 9 is a check digit: each character is transliterated to a number (A=1, B=2…, skipping I, O and Q), multiplied by fixed weights and summed mod 11 (10 becomes X). It's mandatory in North America, so a mismatch there usually means a typo. Position 10 is the model year code (A=1980 or 2010, Y=2000 or 2030, 1–9 = 2001–2009). The cycle repeats every 30 years, and for North American VINs the 7th character tells you which cycle. Position 11 is the plant and 12–17 the serial number. VINs never use I, O or Q, to avoid confusion with 1 and 0. Honest limits: the manufacturer list covers major brands only, and model and trim need the maker's decoding tables. History, theft and recall checks need official services such as DVLA, NHTSA or a paid report. The check digit calculator and the car depreciation calculator are related.

Frequently asked questions