Engine Type by VIN Number | Free VIN Decoder and Lookup
How do you know the right engine type and size of a vehicle? You don’t, unless you decode the VIN. If you want to know the engine type of any vehicle, you only need a VIN and you can use our VIN decoder. Know engine type, engine size and more engine specs in a few. Decode any VIN for free now!
How do you know the right engine type and size of a vehicle? You don’t, unless you decode the VIN. If you want to know the engine type of any vehicle, you only need a VIN and you can use our VIN decoder. Know engine type, engine size and more engine specs in a few. Decode any VIN for free now!
What are Car Engines?
A car engine can be defined simply as the heart of a vehicle, responsible for converting energy into the force that makes the car move. There are several different types of engines but we can classify them into two main categories: internal combustion engines (ICE) and electric engines.
Internal Combustion Engines (ICE)
ICEs are engines that work by burning a mixture of fuel and air within the engine. This produces controlled explosions that in turn drive the pistons and move the vehicle forward.
- Straight or Inline Engine: These engines have cylinders stacked in a straight line, one behind the other. They are typically found in smaller, more fuel-efficient cars because they are compact and affordable to manufacture.
- V-Engine: These engines have two rows of cylinders that are arranged in a V-shape. They are often used in larger, more powerful cars because they can produce more power than inline engines.
- Flat Engine (Boxer Engine): These engines have cylinders that are horizontally opposed to each other. They are known for their low center of gravity, which can improve handling, and their smooth operation. They are typically found in Subaru and Porsche cars.
Electric Engines
Electric engines are powered by electricity from a battery. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their lower emissions and quieter operation. There are two main types of electric vehicles (EVs):
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): BEVs are powered solely by electricity from a battery. They have a limited range and can take a long time to recharge.
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): PHEVs can be plugged in to charge their batteries, but they also have a gasoline engine that can be used to extend the range.
How Does the VIN Decoder Work?
Our VIN decoder requires the VIN and breaks it down to access the specifications encoded within. The VIN is a 17-character string of letters and numbers (or 5 to 13 digits in classic vehicles) that is assigned to a vehicle during manufacture.
You can decode a vehicle’s VIN to identify specific information including the year, make, model, trim, engine specifications, transmission, and more.
The VIN can also be used to check a vehicle’s history and past records. It serves as an identifier and can be used to access theft records, accident records, title brand records, and more.
Where is the Vehicle Identification Number located?
The VIN can be found on the:
- Driver's side door jamb
- Dashboard of the vehicle, just below the windshield
- Under the hood
- Registration documents
- Insurance documents
- Certificate of title
Breakdown of a VIN: What does each digit represent?
What can a 17 character string of letters and numbers tell you about a car? Here is a simple breakdown of a VIN:
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI - The first 3 characters)
- Position 1: The first character simply indicates where the vehicle was built (e.g., “1” for USA).
- Positions 2-3: The second and third characters tell more about the vehicle manufacturer (e.g., “F” for Ford Inc).
Vehicle Attributes (Fourth to Ninth Positions)
- Positions 4-8: This group of characters encode information about the vehicle’s brand, engine size, and type (e.g., “GHDLZ”).
- Position 9: The ninth character represents the vehicle check digit or security code.
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS - 10th to 17th Digits)
- Position 10: The tenth character Indicates the year of production or model year.
- Position 11: This character specifies which plant assembled the vehicle.
- Positions 12-17: The last six characters show the serial number of the vehicle.
The table below shows how the tenth character of a VIN can show the model year of any vehicle type.
VIN to Year Table
A 1980
L 1990
Y 2000
A 2010
L 2020
Y 2030
B 1981
M 1991
1 2001
B 2011
M 2021
1 2031
C 1982
N 1992
2 2002
C 2012
N 2022
2 2032
D 1983
P 1993
3 2003
D 2013
P 2023
3 2033
E 1984
R 1994
4 2004
E 2014
R 2024
4 2034
F 1985
S 1995
5 2005
F 2015
S 2025
5 2035
G 1986
T 1996
6 2006
G 2016
T 2026
6 2036
H 1987
V 1997
7 2007
H 2017
V 2027
7 2037
J 1988
W 1998
8 2008
J 2018
W 2028
8 2038
K 1989
X 1999
9 2009
K 2019
X 2029
9 2039
A 1980
L 1990
B 1981
M 1991
C 1982
N 1992
D 1983
P 1993
E 1984
R 1994
F 1985
S 1995
G 1986
T 1996
H 1987
V 1997
J 1988
W 1998
K 1989
X 1999
Y 2000
A 2010
1 2001
B 2011
2 2002
C 2012
3 2003
D 2013
4 2004
E 2014
5 2005
F 2015
6 2006
G 2016
7 2007
H 2017
8 2008
J 2018
9 2009
K 2019
L 2020
Y 2030
M 2021
1 2031
N 2022
2 2032
P 2023
3 2033
R 2024
4 2034
S 2025
5 2035
T 2026
6 2036
V 2027
7 2037
W 2028
8 2038
X 2029
9 2039
Benefits of Knowing Engine Details for Buyers, Sellers, and Owners
There are several benefits of using our VIN decoder to access vehicle specifications. They are:
For Car Buyers
- Informed Decision Making: With access to accurate engine specifications, car buyers can make better decisions. Here’s how. Some may prefer cars with better fuel efficiency, performance and reliability and these can be influenced by the engine specifications.
- Performance Checks: Performance is a very important factor for car buyers. With engine information, they can easily check the displacement, number of cylinders, number of valves, and other specifications to determine if a car meets their performance expectations.
- Better Budgeting: Different engines come with different maintenance requirements and fuel costs. With engine specifications, buyers can have estimates of fuel costs, maintenance costs, and others.
For Car Sellers and Dealers
- Transparency: Transparency is extremely important for car sellers and dealers. Providing engine specifications in car listings help to build transparency and create better leads.
- Competitive Pricing: Give vehicles in your inventory an opportunity to be priced higher by providing engine features and specs.
- Proper Presentation: Understanding engine details allows sellers to better present their vehicles to relevant audiences for sale.
For Car Owners
- Maintenance: Engine details help owners plan and schedule maintenance tasks more effectively. With this knowledge, they can create or follow relevant maintenance schedules and ensure timely servicing.
- Less Downtime: When an engine-related problem comes up, owners can easily communicate with auto mechanics and diagnose problems accurately. This facilitates efficient repairs and reduces downtime for the vehicle.
DID YOU KNOW?
“The internal combustion engine (ICE) used in most cars today was invented by Nicolaus Otto in 1876.”
“The internal combustion engine (ICE) used in most cars today was invented by Nicolaus Otto in 1876.”
Engine Type by VIN Decoder: Check out a Sample!
The 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid has the following engine specs:
Engine displacement: 1.3L
Number of cylinders: 4
Camshaft: SOHC
Number of valves: 8
Hybrid engine
Fuel type: Gasoline
Transmission: Automatic CVT Overdrive
Get Engine Type by VIN and Detailed Reports with the Mobile App!
Get Engine Type by VIN and Detailed Reports with the Mobile App!
On the road? At a dealership? Save time and enjoy offline free VIN decoding with the VIN decoder and Vehicle History application. Having both Android and iOS versions, the app comes with a scanning feature that allows you to scan VINs, license plates, and minimize errors with typing.
Verify engine specifications and get instant VIN lookups with the mobile app today!
Download now and get started!
How To Check Engine Type By VIN
Checking the engine type by VIN is a very easy task. All you have to do is follow these steps:
- Find the VIN on the vehicle of interest.
- Enter or scan the 17-digit VIN into the form above
- Fill out the rest of the form with the required information
- Submit the form
- Get the vehicle specifications
- You can make payment for more information about the vehicle of interest.
If you do not have the VIN of the vehicle you are interested in, you can also get the same details about the vehicle’s specs using our license plate lookup tool!
Do I Need a Vehicle History Report?
Yes! You most definitely do need a history report if you’re looking to buy or sell a used vehicle. With a regular free VIN decoder, you can access basic vehicle information and specifications such as:
- Year
- Make
- Model
- Trim
- Country
- Standard seating
- Engine
- Fuel type
- Transmission
- Drive type
- Vehicle size
- Doors
- Curb weight
- MSRP
- Body type
- Vehicle type
- Year
- Make
- Model
- Trim
- Country
- Standard seating
- Engine
- Fuel type
- Transmission
- Drive type
- Vehicle size
- Doors
- Curb weight
- MSRP
- Body type
- Vehicle type
A full vehicle history report goes further to provide access to past records including:
- Title records
- Auction records
- Odometer history
- Previous ownership information
- Mileage Information
- Insurance total loss
- Accident records
- Flood/hail damage information
- Theft records
- Loan and lien records
- Safety recalls
- Detailed vehicle history
With a VIN number lookup, buyers can be sure about their decisions and sellers/dealers can improve transparency and trustworthiness in their dealings with buyers.
Popular Car Models and Their Engine Types and Sizes
Car Model
Engine Type
Engine Size (Displacement)
Toyota Corolla
Inline-four (L4)
1.8L
Honda Civic
Inline-four (L4)
2.0L
Ford Mustang
V6 or V8
3.7L (V6) or 5.0L (V8)
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Inline-four (L4)
2.0L
BMW 3 Series
Inline-four or Inline-six
2.0L (L4) or 3.0L (L6)
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Inline-four or V6
2.0L (L4) or 3.0L (V6)
Subaru Impreza WRX
Flat-four (Boxer)
2.0L
Chevrolet Camaro
V6 or V8
3.6L (V6) or 6.2L (V8)
Porsche 911
Flat-six (Boxer)
3.0L (911 Carrera)
Tesla Model 3
Electric
N/A (Battery-powered)
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can determine the engine type of a vehicle using the VIN. When you query a particular vehicle’s VIN to identify specs with our tools, the VIN is decoded to access specifications encoded within, including engine details such as type, size, and configuration.
To find the engine model of your car using the VIN, simply enter the VIN into our VIN decoder tool. The decoder will provide detailed VIN information, including engine specifications. Get information about your vehicle today!
A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) contains various technical details about the vehicle, including the year, make, model, trim, engine specifications, transmission, and more. It serves as a unique identifier for each vehicle and can also provide access to the vehicle’s history and past records.
The 8th digit in a VIN typically represents the vehicle’s engine type or displacement. This digit provides important information about the engine configuration, helping to identify the specific characteristics of the vehicle’s powertrain.
