What is a VIN?
A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a unique number associated with a vehicle. As a rule, it contains 17 alphanumeric symbols, but there can also be shorter VIN numbers, usually, for older cars, or longer ones, but those are very rare. A VIN is made up of capital letters and numbers. However, they do not use the letters I, O, and Q in a VIN.
Each digit in the VIN corresponds to and contains information about the car's manufacturer and specific details about the vehicle. The VIN follows the vehicle throughout its useful life and is associated with all vehicle titles, registrations, recalls, warranty claims, theft, major problems, accidents, and sales history.
You can locate a VIN by looking on the front windshield (driver's side) or the inside of the driver's side door. You may also find it on your vehicle registration, insurance card, or other associated paperwork. We can help you find your VIN using your license plate number. With GoodCar's FREE VIN Decoder, you can find basic data about the car using your VIN. If you need additional information, you can always explore our best-in-class GoodCar Vehicle History Reports containing more detailed information about almost every vehicle.
What Is in Your VIN?
If you are curious about the engine type, engine size, standard or optional features for your vehicle, enter your VIN now to find out all about it. GoodCar's VIN Decoder will tell you a lot about any new or used vehicle. It's convenient to use before buying a used car.
How to Decode a VIN
GoodCar's free VIN Decoder & lookup tool works quickly and easily to find information about any U.S. or Canadian vehicle from 1981 to the present. Some of the information you will see includes:
Just enter your VIN or the plate number of a vehicle you are curious about, and our search engine will scan millions of VINs to compile a custom decoder report just for you. If you require additional details, you can explore GoodCar's best-in-class Vehicle History Reports and perform a full VIN check to get the complete car history and more.
GoodCar's VIN Decoder Tool is Free to Use
Dissecting a VIN
- 1
- F
- T
- 8
- W
- 3
- D
- T
- 8
- B
- E
- c
- 3
- 8
- 8
- 9
- 9
The first character of the VIN identifies the county or origin where it was manufactured. The second and third digits show the manufacturer (World Manufacturer Identifier) and vehicle type. Characters four through eight represent vehicle attributes such as brand, size, and body type. The ninth digit is a special security code generated by the vehicle maker. The tenth digit shows the model year the car was made. The eleventh digit indicates the plant that assembled the vehicle. The final six digits are a unique serial number automatically generated by the manufacturer.
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
- 1
- F
- T
Typically, the first three digits of a VIN make up the World Manufacturer Identifier. It shows the country where the vehicle was created, the manufacturer, and the vehicle type. If a vehicle manufacturer produces less than 1000 vehicles annually, it uses the number 9 in the third place of the VIN and the 12th, 13th, and 14th.
- Country Is represented by a letter. For example, letters S-Z represent different parts of Europe. The letters J-R represent Asia.
- Manufacturer The second character of a VIN reveals the manufacturer. For example, 1G would be a General Motors plant in the U.S.
- Vehicle Type The third character displays the vehicle type. For example, a WMI of 1G1 would be a Chevrolet passenger car manufactured in the U.S. at a General Motors plant.
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
- 8
- W
- 3
- D
- T
- 8
The fourth through the eighth characters of a VIN represent the VDS, one of the most important areas describing the vehicle. However, each vehicle maker can choose how they wish to format this information.
- Vehicle Attributes Within the VDS contains information about the vehicle, such as engine type, restraint system, and body type of the vehicle.
- Check Digit The ninth digit of a VIN is the security code. This number verifies the vehicle is approved by the maker and that the first eight digits were correctly calculated by the U.S. Transportation Department.
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)
- B
- E
- c
- 3
- 8
- 8
- 9
- 9
The vehicle identifier section covers the 10th through the 17th digits of a VIN. They include the year the vehicle was built and a unique serial number automatically generated at the manufacturing plant.
- Year The 10th digit represents the year the car was built.
- Assembly Plant The 11th character shows where the vehicle was assembled.
- Sequential Number The 12th through the 17th digits are a unique serial number assigned to the car.