VIN Decoder
Decode any 17-character VIN — manufacturer, model, year, engine, factory and trim. Free, instant, no signup. Pulls from the NHTSA vPIC public database.
VIN Decoder
Basic 17-character VIN decode plus deep link to the authoritative NHTSA decoder.
Authoritative decode: Open NHTSA vPIC decoder →
How It Works
The VIN encodes: WMI (positions 1–3) = manufacturer, VDS (4–8) = vehicle attributes, check digit (9), model year (10), plant (11), serial (12–17). The decoder maps each segment to public spec data.
How to Use This Calculator
- Locate the VIN — driver’s side dashboard at windshield, or door jamb sticker.
- Enter all 17 characters (no I, O, or Q).
- Calculator returns make, model, year, engine, factory and decoded attributes.
Worked Example
Reference Table
Pre-1981 VINs vary in length. Federal 17-character standard begins with 1981 model year.
| VIN position | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1–3 (WMI) | Country, manufacturer, vehicle type |
| 4–8 (VDS) | Model, body, engine, trim |
| 9 (check digit) | Validates the VIN math |
| 10 (model year) | A–Y = 1980–2000, 1–9 = 2001–2009, A–Y again = 2010–2030 |
| 11 (plant) | Factory code |
| 12–17 (serial) | Unique sequential serial number |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are I, O, Q never used?
To avoid confusion with 1, 0 and 0. The VIN is meant to be read by humans and machines without ambiguity.
Can a VIN be cloned?
Yes — VIN cloning is a known fraud where a stolen car is reassigned the VIN of a similar legal car. Always cross-check the dashboard VIN with the door jamb sticker and the title.
Where do I report a suspicious VIN?
NHTSA recall lookup at nhtsa.gov plus the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) VINCheck — free and instant.
