What Is a VIN Number (Vehicle Identification Number)?
Where Is the VIN Number on a Car?
Where to Find VIN Number
How to Use our VIN Decoder
If you want to learn more about your vehicle and obtain a vehicle history report, then you will need to use your particular vehicle’s VIN to perform a VIN Lookup. Enter this VIN into our online decoder, hit the 'Search' button, and go ahead! A comprehensive vehicle history report will appear, offering insights into past ownership, accidents, and recalls.
The entire process is quick, straightforward, and user-friendly, designed to give you accurate information. With our VIN Decoder tool, you'll be better equipped to make an informed decision when it comes to purchasing a vehicle.
How to Decode a VIN Number
On that note, how exactly do you decode a vehicle identification number? Normally, it is best to simply use a VIN decoder to get instant and accurate information on a VIN. Our VIN decoder will give you a detailed and straightforward report about the vehicle’s history and specifications.
Furthermore, the VIN report contains information from legal records, large databases, and more to provide information on the vehicle’s accidents and theft history, salvage records, open recalls, and any other major issues or red flags that a car may have. With that being said, there are four main sections of a VIN that will help you unlock the secrets of your car.
1. World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI): Country of Origin Character Codes
KL-KR = South Korea
L = China
MA-ME = India
MF-MK = Indonesia
ML-MR = Thailand
MS = Myanmar
PA-PE = Philippines
PL-PR = Malaysia
RF-RG = Taiwan
SN-ST, W = Germany
SU-SZ = Poland
TA-TH = Switzerland
TJ-TP = Czech Republic
TR-TV = Hungary
TW = 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
2 = Canada
3 = Mexico
7A-7E = New Zealand
8F-8J = Chile
8X-82 = Venezuela
9A-9E, 93-99 = Brazil
9F-9J = Colombia
2. Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
The Vehicle Descriptor Section or VDS includes the fourth through ninth digits that describe the motor vehicle. Manufacturers use their own unique code/system for determining each digit; however, the ninth digit is called the “check digit” and is used to verify a VIN’s validity using a mathematical formula.
The VDS often contains information on the model, body style, trim, transmission type and engine size, along with other vehicle-specific information.
3. Model Year Character Codes
4. Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)
The Vehicle Identifier Section or VIS comprises of the remainder of the digits (10 through 17). The tenth digit identifies what year the motor vehicle was manufactured with the eleventh digit identifying the assembly plant where it was manufactured. The rest is the car’s serial number. The serial number is what sets your vehicle apart from other vehicles of the same make, model, year, etc. The eleventh digit, which identifies the vehicle's plant, makes it easier to trace back to the specific assembly line where the car was created among all the vehicles manufactured at that facility. If you're searching for specific parts or need more detailed information on your vehicle, the information displayed in the VIS field can be particularly useful.
Decoding VIN Examples
- 1GCJK33104F173427 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 4WD (8 Cylinders 1 6.6L Turbo Dsl OHV 403 CID)
- 2GCDC14H9B1172761 1981 Chevrolet C10 1/2 ton P/U 2WD (8 Cylinders H 5.0L Carburetor OHV 305 CID)
- JH4DA9350MS000938 1991 Acura Integra (4 Cylinders 1.8L MFI DOHC 111 CID)
- 3WKDD40X0CF701574 2012 Kenworth T800 (6 Cylinders 14.9 MFI Turbo Dsl 915 CID)
- JA3AY11A82U020534 2002 Mitsubishi Mirage (4 Cylinders A 1.5L MFI SOHC 090 CID)
Frequently Asked Questions
How to check the VIN for free?
To check your vehicle identification number, simply enter the VIN of your used or new vehicle into our free VIN decoder and get instant results. If you have further questions or want to avoid confusion, this decoder can also help you identify specific information encoded within the VIN.
Is it safe to check the VIN online?
Yes. Our VIN decoder is safe and easy to use and provides valuable vehicle information, such as the engine type and manufacturer, to be used at your discretion. You can also check if the car has been damaged in any accidents, if there are any recalls, and if it is reported as stolen.
Does a VIN have personal information?
No. A VIN’s 17-character code only has information about a particular vehicle. A VIN lookup can be used to obtain a vehicle history report to learn about the vehicle’s accident history, past buyers, market value, and other details, such as the vehicle’s specifications.
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