Free VIN Decoder: Get Vehicle Specifications
Decode 13 digit or 17 digit VIN instantly and for free. Access year, make, model, engine, transmission, dimensions, and more.
The Free VIN Decoder for All Types of Vehicles
A VIN decoder can save the day if you’re in the market to buy or sell a vehicle and can’t seem to get enough information. With our VIN decoder, anyone can gain full access to the specifications and features of any used or new vehicle.
What makes it better than others? Our VIN decoder offers access to all sorts of vehicles that others can’t
Our VIN decoder not only decode standard 17-character VINs, but also classic VINs with 5 – 13 characters. We decode data to the exact trim, providing a plethora of unique information about that specific vehicle.
Not only that, you also get access to detailed specifications, including but not limited to year, make, model, engine, transmission, braking suspensions, wheels, fuel type, and more.
Our mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices, saves users time by scanning the VIN with our OCR technology. This tool can identify characters from all documents and instantly decode them for free!
What is a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code assigned to every motor vehicle. They were introduced in 1950 to help companies identify their manufactured vehicles, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standardized them in 1981.
Functionally, VINs serve several purposes. They encode information about the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, model, engine type, serial number, and more.
This alphanumeric code is essential for tracking recalls, registrations, thefts, and sales. Additionally, VINs aid in verifying a vehicle’s authenticity and history, providing consumers and authorities with vital details about a vehicle’s past and present.
Note that the VIN usually doesn’t have the letters Q (q), I (i), and O (o) to avoid confusing it with the 0 and 1 figures.
What Information Does The VIN Contain?
The VIN typically contains every single detail about the vehicle, and with our VIN decoder, you can get these details for free:
- Weight
- Standard seating
- Engine Size and specs
- MSRP
- Transmission style
- Drive Type
- Body type
- Fuel type
- Tank capacity
- Seating
- Braking
- Trailering
- EPA Class
- Range extender
How Do I Find the VIN for My Vehicle?
You can easily find the VIN for any vehicle on the driver’s side dashboard. Look through the windshield on the driver’s side. The VIN is often visible from outside the vehicle on a metal plate at the bottom of the windshield.
You can also find the VIN on the:
Free VIN Decoder vs. Vehicle History Report by VIN
Looking to take it a step further? You can use our paid VIN check service for a detailed vehicle history report. A vehicle history report gives access to records of vehicles, including accident records, damages, title brand records, theft records, and more.
| Free VIN Decoder | Vehicle History Report | |
|---|---|---|
| Free VIN decoding for all vehicle types | ||
| Year, make, model, trim | ||
| Full vehicle specifications | ||
| Market Value based on condition | ||
| Sales listings | ||
| Auction records | ||
| Mileage during auction/sales | ||
| History Records | ||
| Theft records | ||
| Owner records | ||
| Salvage records | ||
| Title brand records | ||
| Odometer rollback | ||
| Lien and loan records | ||
| Vehicle usage | ||
| Service history | ||
| Open recalls |
VIN Decoder by Make
How to Decode Your Vehicle's VIN -
VIN Decoding Guide
Have you been wondering what the numbers and letters in a VIN mean? Well, let’s break it down for you. Each character in the VIN represents specific information about the vehicle. Before we go into the details, the table below lists what each character represents:
VIN Digit
- 1st digit
- 2nd digit
- 3rd digit
- 4th - 8th digit
Meaning
- Country
- Manufacturer
- Vehicle type
- Vehicle Features
VIN Digit
- 9th digit
- 10th digit
- 11th digit
- 12th - 17th digits
Meaning
- Check digit
- Model year
- Assembly Plant
- Serial Number
The VIN is divided into three sections: WMI, VDS, and VIS. Understanding these sections helps access important information about any car.
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
The first three characters of the VIN represent the WMI. They uniquely identify the Country of origin, vehicle manufacturer, and vehicle type.
For example, cars with VINs beginning with 1, 4, and 5 are manufactured in the United States. If you find the WMI to be “1G2”, 1G represents General Motors in the United States, and 1G2 stands for Pontiac passenger cars.
The table below shows some WMI Codes:
| Character | Region | Country |
|---|---|---|
| A-H | Africa | AA-AH = South Africa |
| J-R | Asia | J = Japan/ 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 |
| S-Z | Europe | SA-SM = United Kingdom 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 |
| 1-5 | North America | 1, 4, 5 = United States 2 = Canada 3 = Mexico |
| 6-7 | Oceania | 6A-6W = Australia 7A-7E = New Zealand |
| 8-0 | South America | 8A-8E = Argentina 8F-8J = Chile 8X-82 = Venezuela 9A-9E, 93-99 = Brazil 9F-9J = Colombia |
Learn more about the country of origin of your vehicle through our VIN country codes.
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
Following the WMI, characters 4 through 8 constitute the VDS, offering detailed information about the vehicle’s attributes. This section includes the model, body style, engine type, and transmission. The 9th digit is the check digit. It is obtained from a mathematical formula that uses several characters from the rest of the VIN. A check code can expose fake VINs and vehicles when decoded with a VIN decoder.
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)
The Vehicle identifier section covers the rest of the VIN characters from the 10th to 17th characters. The 10th digit represents the model year and can be used to tell when a vehicle rolled off the assembly plant.
The 11th digit identifies the manufacturing plant where the vehicle was assembled, and the 12th to 17th digits are the vehicle’s serial number.
Model Year Character Codes
Here is a simple VIN year chart to decode any car’s VIN on your hands:
- A 1980
- B 1981
- C 1982
- D 1983
- E 1984
- F 1985
- G 1986
- H 1987
- J 1988
- K 1989
- L 1990
- M 1991
- N 1992
- P 1993
- R 1994
- S 1995
- T 1996
- V 1997
- W1998
- X 1999
- Y 2000
- 1 2001
- 2 2002
- 3 2003
- 4 2004
- 5 2005
- 6 2006
- 7 2007
- 8 2008
- 9 2009
- A 2010
- B 2011
- C 2012
- D 2013
- E 2014
- F 2015
- G 2016
- H 2017
- J 2018
- K 2019
- L 2020
- M 2021
- N 2022
- P 2023
- R 2024
- S 2025
- T 2026
- V 2027
- W2028
- X 2029
- Y 2030
- 1 2031
- 2 2032
- 3 2033
- 4 2034
- 5 2035
- 6 2036
- 7 2037
- 8 2038
- 9 2039
Learn more about the model year in your VIN through our VIN to year chart.
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VIN Decoding Frequently Asked Questions
Can I check a VIN for free?
There is no service online offering free to get the original window sticker lookup by VIN. Detailed window sticker information requires premium services, so it’s advisable to check these service providers to compare their prices.
How do I find my VIN number without my car?
The VIN number can be found in various documents, including:
- Vehicle registration documents
- Bill of sale
- Insurance documents
- Certificate of title
Can a VIN tell you who owns a car?
No, the VIN number cannot tell who owns a car or vehicle. However, a paid tool can help you view past owner records, such as the date of purchase, locations of the previous owner(s), and duration of ownership.
Is there an app to check the VIN number?
Yes, we offer a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices that allows users to scan VINs using OCR technology. This tool can decode VINs from various documents instantly and for free.