VIN Decoder
Decode any 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) — manufacturer, country, model year, assembly plant, serial, with ISO 3779 check-digit verification.
About this tool
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-character code stamped on every car built since 1981. Following the ISO 3779 standard, the VIN splits into four sections: the WMI (first 3 characters — manufacturer and country), the VDS (positions 4-8 — model-specific attributes), the check digit (position 9 — a mathematically derived digit that catches typos), and the VIS (positions 10-17 — model year, plant, serial).
Example: 1HGBH41JXMN109186 starts with 1HG → Honda (USA); the check digit X matches the ISO 3779 calculation; position 10 M corresponds to model year 2021. Enter the VIN above to see every section broken out and color-coded on the position map.
The letters I, O, and Q never appear in a VIN (they look too much like 1 and 0), and U and Z are excluded from the year codes for the same reason. Every VIN that fails the check-digit test is mistyped or fabricated.
FAQ
Where do I find my VIN? ›
On most vehicles the VIN is visible through the windshield on the driver-side dashboard, on a sticker inside the driver-side door jamb, and on the vehicle title and insurance documents. It is always 17 characters long on cars sold since 1981.
Why is my check digit showing as invalid? ›
The most common cause is a typo — a single wrong character makes the ISO 3779 check-digit formula fail. Letters I, O, and Q are never valid. If the check digit is wrong on a real VIN read directly from the car, the vehicle may have a tampered or cloned identity and should be checked against registration records.
Can this tool tell me the exact trim or engine? ›
No. Positions 4-8 (the VDS) encode engine, body style, and restraint type, but those codes are manufacturer-specific and not published in a single standard. For full trim and equipment details you need a paid VIN service such as Carfax, the manufacturer portal, or a dealership.
Why does the model year show two possible years? ›
Position 10 cycles through a 30-year pool of letters and digits. The character "A" means 1980 or 2010; "C" means 1982 or 2012. The tool picks the most plausible year (the latest one not in the future), and shows the alternate in parentheses so you can judge for older vehicles.