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Free VIN Check &
Details Decoder.

Decode your vehicle's history, specifications, and manufacturer details instantly. Just enter your 17-character VIN below.

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VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) — Quick Guide

A VIN is a 17-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies a vehicle.
Format: Positions 1–17

VIN Decoder Diagram Breakdown

1-3
WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier)

Identifies country + manufacturer

1st character = Country/Region
1,4,5 → USA 🇺🇸
2 → Canada 🇨🇦
3 → Mexico 🇲🇽
J → Japan 🇯🇵
K → South Korea 🇰🇷
S → UK 🇬🇧
W → Germany 🇩🇪
Z → Italy 🇮🇹
Y → Sweden/Finland 🇸🇪
2nd character = Manufacturer
e.g., T = Toyota, B = BMW, H = Honda
3rd character = Vehicle type or division

4-8
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

Describes the vehicle

  • Model
  • Body type
  • Engine
  • Restraint system
  • Transmission

(Meaning is manufacturer-specific)

9
Check Digit

Used for validation

  • • Calculated mathematically to detect fake/mistyped VINs
  • • Can be 0–9 or X
10

Model Year

Maps to the vehicle year (Letters I, O, Q are never used)

A1980 / 2010
L1990 / 2020
B1981 / 2011
M1991 / 2021
C1982 / 2012
N1992 / 2022
D1983 / 2013
P1993 / 2023
E1984 / 2014
R1994 / 2024
F1985 / 2015
S1995 / 2025
G1986 / 2016
T1996 / 2026
H1987 / 2017
V1997 / 2027
J1988 / 2018
W1998 / 2028
K1989 / 2019
X1999 / 2029
Y2000 / 2030
12001
2-92002-2009

11
Assembly Plant

  • • Identifies the factory where the vehicle was built
  • • Manufacturer-specific

12-17
Sequential Serial Number

  • • Unique production number
  • • Increases as vehicles are built

Summary

VIN = Country + Manufacturer + Vehicle details + Check digit + Year + Plant + Serial number

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