VIN Decoder
Understand what every character in a Vehicle Identification Number means.
Standard VINs are exactly 17 characters (digits and letters, no I, O, or Q).
VIN Breakdown
| Pos | Char | Field | Meaning |
|---|
VIN Structure
Positions 1–3: WMI
World Manufacturer Identifier. Position 1 = country of origin, Position 2 = manufacturer, Position 3 = vehicle type/division.
Positions 4–9: VDS
Vehicle Descriptor Section. Positions 4–8 describe model, body, engine. Position 9 is a check digit used to verify the VIN is valid.
Positions 10–17: VIS
Vehicle Identifier Section. Position 10 = model year, Position 11 = plant code, Positions 12–17 = sequential production number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find a VIN?▼
There are several places: (1) Driver's side dashboard, visible through the windshield (most reliable). (2) Driver's side door jamb sticker. (3) Vehicle title or registration document. (4) Insurance card. (5) Engine block (stamped). (6) Frame rail (on trucks). The dashboard and door jamb are easiest for a quick check.
Can this tool tell me the full history of a vehicle?▼
No — this tool decodes the VIN structure to identify the manufacturer, model year, and plant. Full vehicle history (accidents, ownership, service records, title status) requires a paid service like Carfax or the free NHTSA complaints database at nhtsa.gov. The VIN structure itself is standardized and publicly documented (ISO 3779).
What is the VIN check digit (position 9)?▼
Position 9 is a mathematically computed check digit used to detect VIN forgeries and typos. Each character is given a numerical value, multiplied by a positional weight, summed, and the remainder when divided by 11 gives the check digit (0–9 or X for 10). This tool validates this automatically. A mismatch doesn't mean the vehicle is stolen, but could indicate a transcription error or altered VIN.