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What is a VIN?

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A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a unique number associated with every motor vehicle when it’s manufactured. 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 to avoid confusion with similar-looking numbers 1, 0 and 9.

What Does The VIN Number Tell You?

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. By using a VIN decoder, you can easily access vehicle details by VIN, which provide important specifications such as engine size, body type, and other key features unique to that vehicle. In addition to these car specs, the VIN number can also reveal the model year, assembly plant, trim level, fuel type, and even safety and emission ratings. This wealth of information is essential for verifying a car’s authenticity, ensuring proper repairs, and determining its overall history before making a purchase.

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Where Can I Find My VIN Number?

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 vehicle details by 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.

How to Find Engine Size From 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 the vehicle specs. 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, as it ensures you're aware of the exact engine specifications, including whether the vehicle has a standard or upgraded engine model. Knowing the engine size is also important for calculating fuel efficiency, ensuring proper maintenance, and determining the vehicle's towing capacity. Whether you're a car enthusiast or just looking for peace of mind when purchasing, using a free VIN Decoder to find the engine size provides invaluable insights into your vehicle's performance potential.

How to Decode a VIN Number

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:

  • Model Year
  • Make
  • Model
  • Trim Level
  • County of Origin
  • Body Style
  • Engine Type
  • Transmission Type
  • Driveline
  • Fuel Economy
  • Fuel Tank Size
  • Braking System
  • Steering Type
  • Tires
  • Headroom
  • Legroom
  • Interior Trim
  • Exterior Color
  • Dimensions
  • Capacity
  • Warranty
  • MSRP
  • Anti-Theft Equipment
  • Safety Equipment
  • Climate Control
  • Interior Features
  • Entertainment
  • Navigation
  • Roof Features
  • Lighting
  • And More!

Just enter your VIN or the plate number of a vehicle you are curious about, and GoodCar 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

How to Read a VIN Number

Manufacture Identifier
  • 1
Country
  • F
Manufacture
  • T
Type
Vehicle descriptor section
  • 8
  • W
  • 3
  • D
  • T
Vehicle Attributes
  • 8
Check Digit
Vehicle identifier section
  • B
Model Year
  • E
assembly part
  • c
  • 3
  • 8
  • 8
  • 9
  • 9
production number

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. By decoding these numbers, you can uncover important vehicle specs by VIN.

VIN Digit
Meaning
1st digit
Country
2nd digit
Region/Maker
3rd digit
Vehicle Type
4th digit
Vehicle Attributes
5th digit
Vehicle Attributes
6th digit
Vehicle Attributes
7th digit
Vehicle Attributes
8th digit
Vehicle Attributes
VIN Digit
Meaning
9th digit
Check digit
10th digit
Year
11th digit
Assembly Plant
12th digit
Sequential Number
13th digit
Sequential Number
14th digit
Sequential Number
15th digit
Sequential Number
16th digit
Sequential Number
17th digit
Sequential Number
VIN Digit
Meaning
1st digit
Country
2nd digit
Region/Maker
3rd digit
Vehicle Type
4th digit
Vehicle Attributes
5th digit
Vehicle Attributes
6th digit
Vehicle Attributes
7th digit
Vehicle Attributes
8th digit
Vehicle Attributes
9th digit
Check digit
10th digit
Year
11th digit
Assembly Plant
12th digit
Sequential Number
13th digit
Sequential Number
14th digit
Sequential Number
15th digit
Sequential Number
16th digit
Sequential Number
17th digit
Sequential Number

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

Manufacture Identifier
  • 1
Country
  • F
Manufacture
  • T
Type

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)

Vehicle descriptor section
  • 8
  • W
  • 3
  • D
  • T
Vehicle attributes
  • 8
Check Digit

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)

Vehicle identifier section
  • B
Model Year
  • E
assembly part
  • c
  • 3
  • 8
  • 8
  • 9
  • 9
production number

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About VIN Decoder

Ideally, no two vehicles should have the exact same VIN. A VIN is unique to each individual vehicle. Like a serial number, each brand-new car is issued a 17-digit code different from all others so that the state motor vehicle department and law enforcement can track it. In the rare circumstance the VIN you search for returns multiple associated vehicles, we will let you know and allow you to choose from the list, which exact vehicle you are trying to explore.Yes, you can check vehicle specs by VIN. By entering the 17-digit VIN into a VIN decoder or lookup tool, you can access detailed information about the vehicle, including engine type, body style, model year, transmission, and other key specifications. This is a useful way to verify the exact features of a vehicle, whether you're buying a used car or checking for recalls and warranty information.

Yes, you can check vehicle specs by VIN. By entering the 17-digit VIN into a VIN decoder or lookup tool, you can access detailed information about the vehicle, including engine type, body style, model year, transmission, and other key specifications. This is a useful way to verify the exact features of a vehicle, whether you're buying a used car or checking for recalls and warranty information.

A VIN decoder can work on cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, vans, commercial trucks, RVs and motorhomes, mopeds, scooters, buses, and ATVs.

A VIN is most often located on the dashboard on the driver's side of the car and the inside of the driver's door. You may also find it under the hood embossed on the front of the engine block. On older cars, the VIN may appear on the front end of the frame.

Yes, perfectly safe. Before selling a car, if an interested buyer requests the VIN, go ahead and give it to them. If you don't, they may become suspicious that you are misrepresenting the vehicle. The VIN will verify that the car has the proper equipment, trim level, and specs. The VIN will not expose any personal information about you.

If you cannot find the vehicle's VIN, you can use our VIN finder tool to locate it by using your license plate number. You may also find it on your insurance card, registration paperwork, title, or other paperwork with your vehicle information on it.

Using a VIN, you can find out a lot about a car. Using GoodCar's VIN Decoder, you can see basic information. Then if you want more interesting details, you can tap into our best-in-class vehicle reports for accident history, vehicle recalls from the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), sales history, mileage, airbag deployments, odometer readings, branded titles, major problems, pricing, market value, and more!

VINs with 13 digits are typically from vehicles manufactured before 1981. The first digit represents the country of origin, while the second and third identify the manufacturer and vehicle type. Digits four through eight provide details about the vehicle's attributes, including body style and engine type. The ninth digit may serve as a security check or part of the vehicle's unique identification. Finally, digits ten through thirteen indicate the vehicle's serial number or production sequence.