Free VIN Decoder & VIN Number Lookup
Buying or selling a vehicle? Use a VIN decoder to get full access to vehicle specifications, including the year, make, model, engine specs, transmission, drive type, and even past history records. Check now!
What is a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)?
The VIN is a unique code that is unique to every vehicle made. The VIN contains details about the vehicle’s year, make, model, engine type, transmission and drive type among other information.
You can also use the VIN to check for thefts, accidents, services, title brand records, stolen records, and many other information.
What is a VIN Decoder?
A VIN Decoder is a tool that breaks down the 17-character VIN to show vehicle specifications, including the vehicle’s model year, engine type, safety equipment, transmission specs, and more.
With the VIN decoder, car buyers and sellers can also view past history records like accidents, damages, theft records, ownership history, and more. This helps in making better decisions and car valuations.
Why Do You Need a VIN Decoder?
A VIN decoder is important for both buyers and sellers because they can get full access to not only vehicle specs but also history records. With this, car buyers can make informed decisions, and sellers can have better listings and more sales.
Other benefits of a VIN decoder are:
Car Buyers
- Avoid Fraudulent Listings: A VIN decoder checks if the car details match the seller’s claims. This guards you against phony listings or untrustworthy sellers.
- Check All History Records: You can look up accident records, changes in ownership, theft records, and safety recalls before you buy.
- Compare Several Options: With accurate specs and history, you can weigh your options and pick the car that gives you the most value.
Sellers and Dealerships
- Set Fair Prices: A VIN decoder helps dealers tag cars with the right price and correct specs in ads leading to quicker sales.
- Win Customer Trust: By offering confirmed VIN specs and history, dealerships show they have nothing to hide and earn buyers’ trust.
- Saves Time & Effort: Rather than digging up specs or searching through documents, a VIN decoder displays all the details in a flash.
What Information Can You Get from a VIN Decoder?
With a VIN decoder, you can get full access to useful information that a seller may forget to mention with the listing. Here’s what you can get with a VIN decoder:
Vehicle Specifications
The window sticker shows the vehicle’s model year, make, model, trim level, and body style. With this, you can easily verify a vehicle’s exact configuration and confirm that the car matches it’s listing.
Ownership History
The VIN decoder shows a vehicle’s complete ownership records, including the number of past owners, how it was used (personal, rental, commercial, etc.), duration of ownership, and more. A car with too many owners within a short time may be a red flag.
Mileage History
You can accurately view a vehicle’s mileage history with a VIN decoder. By doing this, you can identify odometer rollback and prevent overpaying for a vehicle that is older than it appears.
Accident History
See if a vehicle has been in an accident in the past. Check the number of accidents and severity of damages sustained to be sure it is safe to drive and roadworthy before making any purchase decisions.
Recalls Check
Manufacturers issue recalls when something needs fixing. With a VIN search, you can see if any recalls are unresolved before you buy. Ensure the vehicle is safe to drive and roadworthy.
Title Brand Records
Check for title brand records including salvage brands, rebuilt brands, junk title brands, flood damage records, hail title brands, and more. Ensure the vehicle is safe enough for the road before purchase.
Theft Records
A VIN decoder gives access to theft records. You can easily verify if a vehicle has been stolen in the past, location where it was stolen and if it was recovered. This prevents you from buying a vehicle with hidden legal problems.
Warranty Status
The VIN shows the original warranty coverage from the factory. With this, you can verify if a vehicle is still under warranty. That could save you money on repairs and help with budgeting in the future.
Auction History
With the VIN decoder, you can view past auction records, see the condition of the vehicle during auction, and view up to ten photos. These images can reveal damages accurately.
Sales History
Alongside auction records, you can view sales records with the VIN decoder. Verify how many times the vehicle was listed for sale online, the condition of the vehicle during sale, and pictures.
Service Records
You can view past service and repair records with a VIN decoder. See if a vehicle has received timely maintenance and see what repairs were made over time. This ensures you end up with a vehicle in great working condition.
Liens and Loans
Many used cars listed for sale may have unpaid liens/loans. Such vehicles can be claimed at any time by the lender. Check for liens and loans using the VIN and avoid used cars with a risk of repossession.
How to Read a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
VINs may look like random letters and numbers but these characters are divided into different parts, each telling you something important.
Here’s what the characters of a VIN represent:
WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier)
The first three characters of the VIN are called the WMI. This section tells you the country where the vehicle was built and the manufacturer’s name. For example:
- “1” means the vehicle was made in the USA.
- “J” means Japan.
- “W” means Germany.
So if you see “1HG,” that means Honda made the car in the USA.
Here are some more examples to help you easily decode where a vehicle was built based on the first character of it’s VIN:
| 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 |
VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section)
The next 6 characters make up the vehicle descriptor section. Characters 4 to 8 describe the car’s model, engine type, restraint system, body style, transmission, and other features. The 9th character is the check digit. It’s a built-in security code that confirms if the VIN is valid and hasn’t been tampered with or faked.
VIS (Vehicle Identifier Section)
The last eight characters (positions 10 to 17) are the VIS. The 10th character tells you the model year, the 11th shows the factory where the car was built, and positions 12 to 17 make up the unique serial number for that specific vehicle.
Take a look at the breakdown of this VIN: 1G1JA5SH4E4153457
| Character | VIN | What It Reveals |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1 | Manufacturing country — United States |
| 2nd–3rd | G1 | Vehicle manufacturer — General Motors (Chevrolet) |
| 4th–8th | JA5SH | Model details including the engine, body type, restraint system, etc. |
| 9th | 4 | Security check digit used to verify VIN validity |
| 10th | E | Model year — 2014 |
| 11th | 4 | Assembly plant |
| 12th–17th | 153457 | Unique serial number identifying the specific vehicle |
Year Chart Code from VIN Number
Wondering how to quickly find your vehicle’s model year using its VIN number? Simply match the 10th digit of your VIN to the code below to find out your car’s exact model year.
| 10th Digit | Model Year | 10th Digit | Model Year | 10th Digit | Model Year | 10th Digit | Model Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1980 | L | 1990 | Y | 2000 | A | 2010 |
| B | 1981 | M | 1991 | 1 | 2001 | B | 2011 |
| C | 1982 | N | 1992 | 2 | 2002 | C | 2012 |
| D | 1983 | P | 1993 | 3 | 2003 | D | 2013 |
| E | 1984 | R | 1994 | 4 | 2004 | E | 2014 |
| F | 1985 | S | 1995 | 5 | 2005 | F | 2015 |
| G | 1986 | T | 1996 | 6 | 2006 | G | 2016 |
| H | 1987 | V | 1997 | 7 | 2007 | H | 2017 |
| J | 1988 | W | 1998 | 8 | 2008 | J | 2018 |
| K | 1989 | X | 1999 | 9 | 2009 | K | 2019 |
| L | 1990 | Y | 2000 | L | 2030 | Y | 2039 |
Where Do I Find the VIN in My Car?
The VIN is usually printed or engraved on parts of the car that are easy to identify. Some common locations you can check, include:
- On the dashboard of the vehicle.
- Inside the driver’s side door.
- On the engine block.
- On the frame of the car.
- On vehicle documents like the title, registration, or insurance papers.
How to Use The Free VIN Decoder
Do you know you can view vehicle specifications and features for free using our instant VIN decoder? Here are simple steps to follow to decode any VIN:
Locate the VIN
First, you need to find the VIN on the vehicle or on documents. If the VIN is unavailable, you can also use the license plate number.
Fill out the Form
Next, enter the 17-character VIN into the form and submit it. For older or classic cars, the VIN could be a bit shorter, usually 5 to 14 characters long.
Submit the Form
Now click on “Search VIN” to submit the form and decode the VIN.
Free VIN Decoder vs Full Vehicle History Report
A VIN decoder shows you vehicle specifications and features for free. However, to make informed decisions about a used vehicle, you need a full vehicle history report showing theft records, accident records, damages, liens and loans, and more.
Here’s what you can get with a free VIN decoder vs. a full vehicle history report.
| Data Included | Free VIN Decoder | Vehicle History Report |
|---|---|---|
| Basic VIN decoding (all vehicle types) | ||
| Vehicle year, make, model & trim | ||
| Detailed specifications (engine, body, etc.) | ||
| Market value estimate | ||
| Current sales listings | ||
| Auction results / history | ||
| Recorded mileage at sales/auctions | ||
| Complete ownership & usage history | ||
| Theft / stolen vehicle records | ||
| Previous owners | ||
| Salvage / junk status | ||
| Title branding (e.g., rebuilt, flood) | ||
| Odometer rollback check | ||
| Loan or lien status | ||
| Vehicle usage type (personal, fleet, etc.) | ||
| Service and maintenance records | ||
| Open recalls from manufacturer |
Decode VIN Numbers Across All Brands
Whether it’s Toyota, Ford, BMW, or Tesla, VIN decoders can work for all car brands and models. Some popular brands are:
Alfa romeo
AM general
Aston Martin
Audi
Austin Healey
Avanti Motors
Bentley
BMW
Bricklin
Bugatti
Buick
Cadillac
Chevrolet
Chrysler
Daewoo
Daihatsu
Datsun
Dodge
Eagle
Ferrari
Fiat
Fisker
Ford
Freightliner
Genesis
Geo
GMC
Harley Davidson
Hino
Honda
Hummer
Hyundai
Infiniti
Isuzu
Jaguar
Jeep
Kawasaki
Kenworth
Kia
Koenigsegg
Lamborghini
Land Rover
Lexus
Lincoln
Lotus
Maserati
Maybach
Mazda
McLaren
Mercedes Benz
Mercury
MG
MINI
Mitsubishi
Morgan
Nissan
Oldsmobile
Panoz
Peterbilt
Plymouth
Polestar
Pontiac
Porsche
Rolls-Royce
Ram
Saab
Saleen
Saturn
Scion
Shelby
Smart
Subaru
Suzuki
Tesla
Toyota
Triumph
Volkswagen
Volvo
Yamaha
Frequently Asked Questions About VIN Decoder
What is a VIN?
A VIN is a unique identifier assigned to every vehicle during manufacture. The VIN holds information about the vehicle’s year, make, model, engine specs, transmission, drive type, and more. The VIN can also be decoded to view past records including theft records, accidents, service records, title brand records, and more.
How can I decode my vehicle's VIN?
To decode your vehicle’s VIN, just find your VIN number and put it in the VIN decoder form on this page. After you submit it, it will show car specifications and history records.
Is the VIN check really free?
Yes, a basic VIN decoding is free. You’ll get specs like year, make, model, trim, and engine details at no cost. But if you need the full history including accidents, title records, theft checks, liens, service history, and more, you’ll need a paid vehicle history report.
Is using a free online VIN decoder safe and legal?
Yes, using a free online VIN decoder is safe and 100% legal. The data we provide with VIN checks are public data and not personal data.
Can I use this tool to decode chassis numbers?
Yes, you can use this tool to decode chassis numbers. A chassis number is the same as the VIN number, and so it can be easily decoded with a VIN decoder. Simply fill out the form on this page to decode yours.
How do I use a free VIN decoder?
To use a free VIN decoder, you need to find the VIN and enter it into the form on this page. Next, submit the form, and the VIN will be decoded to show all specs, features, and history records.