How to Decode a VIN Number

Decoding a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) can help you learn important details about a vehicle, from its make and model to its history and specifications. With the right VIN decoder, you can quickly check information that may help before buying, selling, or researching a car.

What Is a VIN Number?

A VIN is a unique identifier assigned to each vehicle when it is manufactured. It consists of 17 characters (letters and numbers) with no spaces. VINs do not include the letters I, O, or Q to avoid confusion with similar-looking numbers.

When decoded, a VIN reveals important details about a vehicle, including its year, make, model, country of origin, factory, and serial number. It can also be used to check records such as recalls, accidents, and title brands.

You can find your VIN in several locations, including the driver’s side dashboard, inside the driver’s side door frame, under the hood, or on official documents like registration and insurance.

How To Decode a VIN

You can decode a VIN either manually or by using an online VIN decoder. Each of the 17 characters in a VIN represents specific information about the vehicle, such as the manufacturer, model, engine type, and production details.

To decode it manually, you need to understand how each section of the VIN is structured and what the characters represent. This can take time, especially since some details vary by manufacturer.

For a faster approach, you can enter the VIN into a decoder tool to instantly view key information, including vehicle specifications, history records, and other important details. While some tools are brand-specific, the VIN structure itself is standardized, so the decoding process works the same way for all vehicles.

Why Decode a VIN?

Before buying a new or used vehicle, it’s important to understand its background. A VIN can help you quickly access key details such as the year, make, model, and specifications.

With a VIN check, you can also uncover deeper information through a vehicle history report, including accident history, title status, mileage records, recalls, and other important data. Reviewing this information in advance can help you avoid hidden problems and make a more informed decision before purchasing a vehicle.

How To Read a VIN Number

Each digit or group of characters within the VIN stands for something. The breakdown is as follows: How To Read a VIN Number

WMI - World Manufacturer Identifier

The first three digits of a VIN are collectively known as the World Manufacturer Identifier or WMI. The first digit also designates the country of origin where the vehicle was manufactured. The numbers 1, 4, and 5 represent the U.S. The number 2 means the car was made in Canada, and the number 3 equals Mexico. Consult the list below for all the country codes.

AA- AH - South Africa
CA- CE - Benin
DL- DR - Zambia
AJ - AN - Côte d'Ivoire
CF- CK - Madagascar
EA- EE - Ethiopia
BA - BE - Angola
CL- CR - Tunisia
EF- EK - Mozambique
BF- BK - Kenya
DA- DE - Egypt
FA- FE - Ghana
BL- BR - Tanzania
DF- DK - Morocco
FF- FK - Nigeria
J - Japan
MF-MK - Indonesia
PF- PK - Singapore
KA- KE - Sri- Lanka
ML- MR - Thailand
PL- PR - Malaysia
KF- KK - Israel
MS- M0 - Myanmar
RA- RE - United Arab Emirates
KL- KR - South Korea
NA- NE - Iran
RF- RK - Taiwan
KS- K0 - Kazakhstan
NF- NK - Pakistan
RL- RR - Vietnam
L - China
NL- NR - Turkey
RS- R0 - Saudi Arabia
MA- ME - India
PA- PE - Philippines
SA- SM - United Kingdom
VA- VE - Austria
X3-X0 - Russia
SN- ST - Germany
VF- VR - France
YA-YE - Belgium
SU- SZ - Poland
VS- VW - Spain
YF-YK - Finland
S1- S4 - Latvia
VX- V2 - Serbia
YL-YR - Malta
TA- TH - Switzerland
V3- V5 - Croatia
YS-YW - Sweden
TJ- TP - Czech Republic
V6- V0 - Estonia
YX-Y2 - Norway
TR- TV - Hungary
W - Germany
Y3-Y5 - Belarus
TW- T1 - Portugal
XA- XE - Bulgaria
Y6-Y0 - Ukraine
UH- UM - Denmark
XF- XK - Greece
ZA-ZR - Italy
UN- UT - Ireland
XL- XR - Netherlands
ZX-Z2 - Slovenia
UU- UZ - Romania
XS- XW - Russia(formerly USSR)
Z3-Z5 - Lithuania
U5- U7 - Slovakia
XX- X2 - Luxembourg
1, 4, or 5 - United States
8A-8E - Argentina
9F-9K - Colombia
2 - Canada
8F-8K - Chile
9L-9R - Paraguay
3A-3W - Mexico
8L-8R - Ecuador
9S-9W - Uruguay
3X-37 - Costa Rica
8S-8W - Peru
9X-92 - Trinidad & Tobago
38-39 - Cayman Islands
8X-82 - Venezuela
93–99 - Brazil
9A-9E - Brazil
6 - Australia
7 - New Zealand

The second digit of a VIN represents the manufacturer, such as GM, Ford, Chevrolet, BMW, etc. Below are the codes for U.S. manufacturers.

1B - Dodge
1C - Chrysler
1F - Ford
1G - General Motors
1G1 - Chevrolet
1G3 - Oldsmobile
1G4 - Buick
1G6 - Cadillac
1G9 - Google
1GB - Chevrolet Incomplete Vehicles
1GC - Chevrolet
1GD - GMC Incomplete Vehicles
1GM - Pontiac
1HG - Honda
1J - Jeep
1L - Lincoln
1M - Mercury
1MR - Continental
1N - Nissan
1VW - Volkswagen
1YV - Mazda
1ZV - Ford
19U - Honda

The third digit combined with the first two shows the type of vehicle like a truck, SUV, or passenger car.

What Does the 4th Digit in a VIN Mean?

Characters 4 through 8 of the VIN are known as the vehicle descriptor section. They provide details about the vehicle, including model, engine type, body style, braking system, and other features.

What Is the 9th Digit of a VIN?

The ninth character in a VIN is the "check digit", which is a security feature to validate the VIN. The manufacturer generates the check digit to ensure that the VIN is authentic.

What Is the 10th Digit of a VIN?

The 10th character identifies the vehicle’s model year (see table below).

A: 1980 or 2010
B: 1981 or 2011
C: 1982 or 2012
D: 1983 or 2013
E: 1984 or 2014
F: 1985 or 2015
G: 1986 or 2016
H: 1987 or 2017
J: 1988 or 2018
K: 1989 or 2019
L: 1990 or 2020
M: 1991
N: 1992
P: 1993
R: 1994
S: 1995
T: 1996
V: 1997
W: 1998
X: 1999
Y: 2000
1: 2001
2: 2002
3: 2003
4: 2004
5: 2005
6: 2006
7: 2007
8: 2008
9: 2009

What Does the 11th Digit of a VIN Mean?

The 11th character shows the plant code, which identifies the factory where the vehicle was built.

What Do the Last 6 Digits of a VIN Mean?

Characters 12 through 17 make up the vehicle’s serial number. These are unique to each vehicle and are assigned during production, helping manufacturers identify individual units.

Frequently Asked Questions About Decoding a VIN

How Do You Decode a VIN Number?

Decoding a VIN number is very easy. You don't have to look up lists of manufacturers or country codes. Instead, all you need to do is enter the VIN in GoodCar's search tool and review the information that comes up. GoodCar's VIN decoder is completely free to use and will show most all vehicles that have been manufactured since 1981.

Are There Any Free VIN Decoders?

Yes, there are plenty of free VIN decoders online. GoodCar offers so much extra information along with the make, model, year, and specs. You can also find recalls, accidents, branded titles, residual value, market details, and much more!

What Does Each Digit in a VIN Mean?

Consult the information above to find out what each digit in a VIN means and how to decode it manually. However, it is much easier to enter the VIN into a decoder and let the database do the work for you.

What Is The Best FREE VIN Decoder?

There are dozens of VIN decoders online. Some like the NHTSA VIN decoder are no-frills and will give you only the basic information. Others like GoodCar, will provide much more detail related to the vehicle in question.

How to Decode a 13-Digit VIN Number

VINs with 13 digits relate to vehicles manufactured before 1981. The first digit is the country of origin and the second the manufacturer. The third digit represents the vehicle type, and the fourth through the eighth designates the engine type, braking system, body style, and restraint system. The ninth digit is a check-digit and a security feature. The tenth shows the model year, and the eleventh shows the plant where the vehicle was manufactured. Finally, the twelfth and thirteenth are the unique serial number for the car.