Decode VIN online

What a VIN consists of

1. 1–3

   WMI — manufacturer code

   The first character is the region: J — Japan, K — Korea, L — China, W — Germany, X and Z — Russia and CIS, 1, 4, 5 — USA. Together the three characters identify a specific manufacturer: JTD — Toyota, KMH — Hyundai, WBA — BMW.

2. 4–8

   VDS — model description

   Model, body type, engine, trim. Each manufacturer encodes them differently, so these characters cannot be read without its catalog.

3. 9

   Check digit

   Calculated from the other characters and catches typos. Mandatory for cars on the US, Canadian and Chinese markets; Japanese and European manufacturers do not always include it.

4. 10

   Model year

   Letters and digits in a cycle: A — 2010, B — 2011 … Y — 2030, then again. The same codes meant 1980–2009, so A is 2010 or 1980.

5. 11

   Assembly plant

   Each manufacturer has its own plant codes — they show whether the car was built in Japan, the USA or under license in China.

6. 12–17

   Serial number

   The car's sequence number on the assembly line. Together with the other characters it makes the VIN unique.

Where to find the VIN on a car

• Under the windshield

  A plate in the lower left corner — visible from outside through the glass.

• On the driver's door pillar

  A sticker or plate on the middle pillar — open the door.

• Under the hood

  Stamped on the engine bay bulkhead or on the side member.

• In the documents

  Registration certificate, vehicle passport — the number must match the number on the body.

The number on the body, under the windshield and in the documents must match. Signs of tampering, a re-glued plate or different numbers are a reason to walk away.

FAQ