Decode Tesla VIN Number - Lookup and History Check

Tesla VIN Decoder

Tesla brought an automotive revolution to the transportation sector and changed the world in the process. Incorporated in 2003, Elon Musk became chairman in 2008, and the company grew to impressive success from there. Surprisingly, the Tesla Roadster was not the first electric vehicle. That honor goes to Robert Anderson and his crude electric vehicle that launched a series of breakthroughs beginning in 1832 and culminating in the Tesla.

The Tesla Vin follows the international standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for road vehicles in North America. However, like most things, Tesla—the company—does not follow the regulations entirely. Instead, the Tesla VIN reports the range and permutations of their cars with a specific combination of characters. Use the industry-standard GoodCar VIN Decoder tool and learn as much as possible about your Tesla.

Tesla follows the standard 17-digit format set down by the NHTSA in 1981. The GoodCar VIN Check application gives prospective owners, fleet managers, and business personnel access to the Tesla database for a wealth of information.

Prospective owners cannot determine the vehicle’s battery size by the VIN; the best information available is the chemical makeup and year of production. To find the battery size, use the “Tesla Factory Build Date” app. Enter the VIN from your Tesla, and the app returns the production date and specifications of cars manufactured close to the VIN entered. Use the GoodCar VIN Decoder to get a mix of information on Tesla cars with different builds and similar 17-digit codes.

Deciphering a Tesla VIN

Manufacture Identifier

region

automaker

manufacturer

Vehicle descriptor section

Body Type

restraint system

engine

checksum DIGIT

model year

manufacturing plant

production sequence number

VIN Digit

Meaning

1^st

Position one of the Tesla VIN is the region of the world where the specific vehicle was manufactured. Teslas are made in the United States, Germany, and China.

2^nd

Position two is the specific Country where the vehicle is made.

3^rd

In the third position is the vehicle manufacturer.

4^th - 8^th

Positions four through eight are the meat of the Tesla VIN, providing most of the vehicle information. The fourth digit describes Tesla’s specific make, with each indicator describing the S=Model S, 3=Model 3, R=Roadster, and so on.

5^th

Tesla’s fifth VIN position is the Body Type: indicating an H=Class D MPV, 5-Door. (Right-Hand Drive)

6^th

The sixth position describes the restraint system. Restraints could be front airbags, side curtains, or manual seatbelts with inflatable restraints.

8^th

The eighth position in the Tesla VIN describes the Motor/Drive Unit, such as the Tesla M6B Motor.

9^th

Position nine is the Check-sum digit. This is a mathematical equation based on all other positions in the VIN. All vehicles produced in the United States are required to have a check digit in position nine.

10^th

Tesla’s tenth position, like all other American VINs, is the model year. The letter A starts the year at 2010, going through to the letter Y, and model year 2030.

11^th

Tesla’s eleventh position is the exact plant of manufacture of a specific Tesla. Locations are dotted all over the globe, from Menlo Park, CA. USA, Hethel UK, Austin, Texas, Berlin, Germany, Shanghai, China, Reno, Nevada, Palo Alto, Ca., including a “Research” option.

12^th - 17^th

Tesla uses sequential digits in positions 12 through 17, representing the serial number of a specific Tesla. At the end of production, the company may include technological add-ons, such as sensor-based items. Various Tesla types are described, such as Evaluation Prototype, Roadster, F = Founders Series Vehicle, M = Mule Roadster, Early Prototype, and V = Validation Prototype Roadster.

Where Can I Find the VIN on My Tesla?

Tesla follows the two mandated NHTSA locations: 1) The VIN is engraved on a small plaque on the driver’s side dashboard at the window sill. The VIN must be visible through the glass. 2) Tesla prints the vehicle’s VIN on a small white plate located on the B pillar at the driver’s side. The VIN should be visible when the door is opened.

Online options include the owner’s account page on Tesla’s website and the company’s phone app. Other non-vehicle locations are the window sticker, registration, and insurance documentation. Not all models use these standard locations. The VIN may be stamped on the chassis under the center maintenance panel or in the trunk near the windshield.

Popular Tesla Models

Tesla’s first car was introduced in 2008 and put Tesla on the global automotive map. The Tesla Roadster debuted as the quickest car in the world, with exceptional performance, acceleration, and driving range. Currently, the Roadster can go 0 to 60 mpg in 1.9 secs. And a driving range of 620 miles. The Roadster can still be ordered on a reserve basis.

For the first time in history, the Tesla Model Y is the world’s best-selling electric vehicle in 2023. Tesla has sold more than 1.2 million Model Ys in 2023. The company made the Model Y a success by carrying over the attractive styling used on the Model 3 form factor. . The Model Y sales numbers surged 69% while marketing to the hottest segment in the automotive world, the small SUVs and crossover segment.

Tesla’s Cybertruck has been on every global news outlet since its introduction in 2023. The Cybertruck is one of the most visible and unique production concept vehicles the world has ever seen and was built by the Gigafactory in Texas.

Use the industry-grade GoodCar Vehicle History Search to find the most information on any Tesla that can help with purchase decisions or improve insurance rates. Prospective owners, business personnel, and fleet managers must know as much information about a vehicle as possible before deciding to buy or recondition a Tesla. The company is expanding into every automotive segment across the globe, and the GoodCar tool is an invaluable resource.

Tesla VIN Lookup

GoodCar History reports provide vital information on Your Tesla with proprietary information from a vast assortment of trusted sources. These databases include federal and state agencies in the United States and Canada, motor vehicle agencies, police and fire departments, auto auctions, and more.

History reports include valuable title information such as salvage, junk, or total loss records. Data is scrubbed for over 50 title brands that may affect the value of Your Tesla. Flood/Water damage, fire, hail, and any natural disaster damage is reported. A salvage title is issued by the insurance company, which states the vehicle is damaged beyond repair and holds no value. Be aware of any instance other than a “Clear Title” on the report.

Extensive owner and vehicle information is provided in a report. Each owner, from when the vehicle was new, is recorded, along with the time and place. Odometer fraud is an insidious crime that many buyers are unaware of and will return plenty of headaches if not checked properly. The odometer is read and recorded when a vehicle goes into a Tesla mechanic’s shop or the dealership for work or a recall. The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) estimates that nearly 500,000 cars and trucks are sold yearly with an altered odometer.

GoodCar takes its reporting of Tesla a step further, offering resale values, including trade-in, retail, and wholesale. Each sale of the vehicle is reported along with the location. NHTSA crash test ratings and Recalls are provided for the engine, powertrain, and the structure.

Tesla Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins

According to automotive research firm iSeeCars.com, Tesla was the most-recalled brand in the United States from 2014 to 2023. NHTSA reports that Tesla had 24 model Y recalls from 2020 to 2023 alone. Use the GoodCar app to discover the most recent Tesla recalls and what to do if your vehicle is on the list.

The NHTSA or the manufacturer defines a recall as an issue with the vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tires that creates an unreasonable safety risk. Most recalls are voluntary by the automaker while notifying the NHTSA.

As reported on February 2, 2024, Tesla is being urged to recall over 2.2 million vehicles, nearly its entire US production, because of the font size on the instrument panel. The font size for the brake, park, and anti-lock brake warning lights is too small, making them hard to read and increasing the chances of a crash. The brand’s font size on the instrument panel violates federal safety standards. Tesla is fixing the issue by releasing a free over-the-air update.
As reported on January 26, 2024, over 200,000 Teslas are being recalled for a software glitch that may prevent the backup camera from displaying the correct image. Models S, X, and Y are the affected cars. If the vehicle is equipped with a self-driving computer and has a release version between 2023 and 2024, the company will again release an over-the-air fix.
Another software glitch for Tesla affected 334,000 vehicles due to steering issues. Drivers began a flood of complaints about loss of steering in the 2023 Model Y and Model 3 cars. Several drivers described the steering control as notchy or clicky right before losing control. Drivers said there was a warning light prior to the driver assist problems, which said, “steering assist reduced.” Tesla has released an on-air software update to fix the issue and has agreed with the NHTSA to fix the Autopilot firmware on more than two million models.