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Free VIN Check and VIN Decoder

Look up ivin data reports for free.

A valid VIN is 17 characters long. It contains only letters and numbers, except for the letters i , o and q . iVIN Reports are available only for US passenger vehicles model years 1981 and newer.

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What Should You Know Before Buying or Selling a Car?

Vehicle history reports are important, but they only give some of the answers you should know before buying or selling a vehicle.

iVIN Reports are powered by iSeeCars' award-winning data analysis. Try our comprehensive VIN checks to get all of the answers you need, make an informed decision and have peace of mind.

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How does this vehicle compare?

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What else should I know or check?

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How To Run a Free VIN Check

What is a vin or vehicle identification number.

VIN stands for "vehicle identification number." It is the unique code assigned by manufacturers for a specific automobile. A VIN is the automotive equivalent of a social security number. No two vehicles in operation have the same VIN.

A VIN is made up of 17 alphanumeric characters with each letter or number revealing identifying information about the vehicle including year, make, model, engine size, manufacturer, manufacturing location, and safety features. Along with providing vehicle specifications, a VIN can also be used to identify past or open recalls, registrations, warranty claims and status, insurance coverage and theft records.

Why is checking a VIN on a used car important?

How do i look up a vin number to get a free iseecars vin report.

You can sign up to get 5 free lookups and access 5 full VIN reports every month. Low-cost paid subscription plans are also available if you want to see more reports.

Here's where you can look up one of our free VIN reports:

Desktop computer or mobile website - Free VIN lookup
iSeeCars free mobile Android and iOS VIN apps - Download our app so you can quickly scan a vehicle's barcode and instantly view the VIN report
All used car listings on the iSeeCars website - Click the "Full Report" button to see the report
Google Chrome extension - Automatically generates our iVIN report when a VIN is found on any website you're browsing, like Craigslist and car shopping sites

How can I check a car's vehicle history report for free?

Some iSeeCars reports include a free vehicle history report when it's provided by the vehicle's seller. These CARFAX or AutoCheck vehicle history summaries provide helpful information about a car's past, including reported accidents, the number of previous owners, and a reported salvage title. Knowing the free vehicle history info helps you better understand the condition of the vehicle and anticipate future problems.

Can I look up my vehicle specs by VIN number?

Yes. iSeeCars iVIN Data Reports include key vehicle specifications, including trim, color, transmission type, drivetrain, engine type, towing capacity and more. These specs also show how the car compares to the average for its vehicle class.

Can I check safety recalls and recall information by VIN number?

Yes. Each iSeeCars iVIN Data Report includes a free recall check that indicates if there are any open or past recalls for the vehicle. The VIN report also links to the NHTSA database, which identifies (a) if there is an open recall for any new or used cars and (b) information about all past recalls for the vehicle, including safety-related recalls such as those involving Takata airbags.

Along with being a safety hazard, unresolved recalls including emissions recalls can result in a failed vehicle inspection. If a vehicle has an open recall, ask the seller to address the recall notice because it will likely involve recall repairs.

Is a VIN always 17 digits?

Beginning in 1981, all vehicles are required to have a 17-digit VIN. Vehicles manufactured before 1981 have VINs that are between 11 and 17 characters.

In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standardized how VINs are formatted. Under the NHTSA standard, a VIN is composed of 17 characters consisting of numbers and letters, and each set of numbers has a specific meaning. A VIN never includes the letters I, O and Q to avoid being mistaken for 1 and 0 (zero).

Can VIN numbers be changed?

It's a federal crime to alter, remove or tamper with a vehicle's VIN number.

Where Can I Find a Car's VIN?

The Dashboard

The VIN is usually located on the dashboard of the driver's side of a vehicle. It can be found by standing outside of the car and looking at the corner where the dashboard meets the windshield.

The Door Jamb

If you don't see the VIN on the dashboard, it can be found by opening the driver's side door and looking inside the door jamb. A VIN is also included on a vehicle's registration, vehicle title and insurance card.

How To Decode VIN Number Characters

There are 17 digits or characters in each vehicle's unique VIN. Here is what each VIN digit represents to help you better understand your vehicle.

Digit 1: Country of Origin

The first digit specifies where the vehicle was manufactured. Here are the most common country codes and countries:

United States
Foreign vehicle made in the US

Digits 2-3: Manufacturer & Division

The second digit identifies the specific vehicle's manufacturer. It's often the first letter of the manufacturer's name, such as B for BMW vehicles.

Since some characters can stand for multiple manufacturers, the third digit combines with the first two to indicate the specific manufacturing division. For example, JM1 can designate Mazda, while JMB can designate Mitsubishi. The first three digits together are known as the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI).

Here are some of the commonly used second digits:

General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick)

Digits 4-8: Vehicle Descriptor Section

These characters identify specific details about the car's vehicle type.

Digit 4: Safety features and information specific to the model
Digit 5: The vehicle's series
Digits 6 & 7: Bodystyle and body type
Digit 8: Engine size

Digit 9: Security Code

The ninth digit is the check digit, which is a security code used to help detect incorrect VINs, based on US Department of Transportation guidelines.

Digit 10: Model Year

The tenth digit represents the vehicle's model year.

1981-2000: Designated by the letters B through Y, with the letters I, O, Q, U and Z excluded.
2001-2009: Designated by the numbers 1 through 9 indicate the model years 2001 through 2009.
2010-Present: In 2010, the alphabet cycle started again with A and will continue through the year 2030. In 2031, the number cycle of 1 through 9 will start again until 2039.

Digit 11: Manufacturing Plant

The eleventh digit indicates the vehicle's assembly plant. Each vehicle manufacturer has its own set of plant codes. For example, these are the VIN characters for some of Toyota's many manufacturing plants: R for Lafayette, Indiana; S for Princeton, Indiana; and U for Georgetown, Kentucky.

Digits 12-17: Production Serial Numbers

These ending digits are the production line numbers that represent the vehicle's unique production or serial number. (Digits 10-17 are collectively known as the Vehicle Identifier Section.)

VIN Decoders for All Makes

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VIN Decoder & Lookup

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What is a VIN Number?

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique code assigned to every motor vehicle when it's manufactured. This 17-character string of letters and numbers, excluding the letters Q (q), I (i), and O (o) to avoid confusion with the numbers 0 and 1, provides specific details about the vehicle's manufacturer, model, year, and place of production, without intervening spaces. Each section of the VIN offers distinct information about the vehicle, including the make, model, year, and the serial number. This alphanumeric code, typically found printed in a single line on the vehicle's chassis or documents, is essential for registration, insurance, and tracking the vehicle's history.

How to Find the VIN Number

Finding your vehicle's VIN is straightforward. Here's where to look:

Passenger Cars: Check the front of the dashboard on the driver's side. View it from outside the vehicle through the windshield. Also, inspect the driver's side door pillar—open the door to find the VIN where the door latches.
Motorcycles: Typically found on the steering neck below the handlebars, but it could also be on the motor or on the frame near the motor.
Semitrailers: Look on the front part of the semitrailer on the left side.

If you're unable to locate the VIN on the vehicle, it can also be found on:

Your vehicle's title documents.
Liability insurance documents.

Woman taking a DMV knowledge test, man driving a car

How to Do a VIN Number Check

Enter your vehicle's 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) in the field above to look up and receive an instant report on its manufacturer, brand, make and model, body style, engine size, assembly plant, and model year. The information is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from the data submitted by the manufacturers to NHTSA. The VIN Decoder lookup is intended for use with vehicles manufactured since 1981. If your vehicle was made before 1981, the VIN will most likely contain 11 characters.

How to Decode the Vehicle Identification Number

Wondering what all the characters in your vehicle's VIN stand for?

How to decode a Vehicle Identification (VIN) number

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Free VIN Lookup to check vehicle's history

What is a VIN Decoder?

A VIN Decoder is a tool that breaks down and analyses (“decodes”) Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs).

The VIN is a 17-character number, which is the key to useful facts about the vehicle. This includes manufacturing information, specifications, features, and more. To learn this information, you need to know the meaning behind the VIN characters and their combinations. This can be complicated: the characters don’t mean the same thing for different manufacturers, models, and countries.

This is why our free VIN Decoder is useful: to learn some basic facts about any vehicle or VIN code, you only have to enter it into the field above and click Decode VIN .

How to use the VIN decoder to do a VIN number lookup?

Using our universal VIN checker is as simple as it can get:

Enter your vehicle’s 17-character VIN into the Enter VIN number field.
Click Check Car.

In most cases, the VIN Decoder will provide some basic information for free. This info should be enough to:

Check whether the VIN is real
Confirm the VIN corresponds to the vehicle you’re checking
Help you decode the number by breaking it down into parts

To access more details about the vehicle, such as mileage records, damages, old photos, and theft records, you can get a carVertical history report .

What is a VIN number (Vehicle Identification Number)?

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) number is a unique code identifying (almost) every vehicle in the world. Car manufacturers started using it in the middle of the 20th century, but without strict standards all manufacturers constructed their own VINs – different lengths, meanings, etc.

The current standard was issued in 1981. It requires VINs to be 17-characters long and without the letters O (o), I (i), and Q (q) to avoid confusion with similar-looking numbers – 0, 1, and 9.

An auto VIN number is divided into several sections. Each of these holds unique information about the vehicle’s year and country of manufacture, features, options list, etc. And while figuring out the meaning of the VIN number can be difficult, VIN decoders like ours are a good place to start.

More importantly, you can use the VIN to access records on global databases. These are very useful when buying a used vehicle – they’ll help you avoid scams like mileage rollbacks, hidden damages, and more.

Where is the VIN number on a car?

As the VIN number is necessary to save various records and perform a VIN lookup, you have to know where to find it. The VIN code is always located in secure locations on the vehicle, so no one can accidentally damage or remove it.

Here are the most common VIN number locations:

Under the hood – the Vehicle Identification Number is often located in front of the engine block
Dashboard on the driver’s side – step outside the car and look for it behind the windshield
Driver’s side door pillar – open the driver’s door and look for a VIN plate on the inner side of the pillar
The front end of the frame – on older vehicles, it’s often located on the inner front wheel arch
Firewall – some older cars have the VIN on the firewall, which is located between the cabin and engine bay.

These are the on-car locations, but you can also find it on the vehicle title documents (registration) and on the insurance certificate. Just remember that all VINs must match.

Free VIN number check vs full car history report

The carVertical VIN checker scans dealer, repair shop databases, car sales reports, rental companies worldwide and provides you with all kinds of information from regular mileage checks to photos of damages.

While a free VIN decoder provides only basic data, here’s what you may learn about from a full carVertical vehicle history report:

Mileage rollbacks
Theft records from law enforcement agencies
Damages (sometimes, even photos after accidents)
Registration and inspection dates
Vehicle’s title info (was it used as a taxi, rental, police vehicle, etc.; has it suffered water damage, and so on)
Original equipment
Specific model problems and recalls
Country of origin, model year

You can see what a full VIN check can tell about your car in our sample vehicle’s history report .

Meanwhile, the free VIN Decoder may tell you the car’s:

Manufacturer
Basic equipment info
VIN number breakdown

Don’t risk your own safety when buying a used car – put its VIN code in our VIN decoder and unveil potential safety issues and problems right away.

Why do full car history reports cost money?

If you’re familiar with car history reports and free VIN decoders, you probably already know the difference in the amount of information they provide. The reason for this is simple – most information isn’t free.

A free VIN checker mostly provides data that’s accessible for free. We can always tell you the car’s make, model, and year of manufacture. In some cases, we can access even more data: e.g.: for some cars, we can give you the basic vehicle specifications. Technically, you could scavenge the internet for all of that information, but an actual VIN searcher does that in a matter of seconds, saving lots of your time.

The information our free VIN Decoder can find varies from one vehicle to another.

When it comes to the full vehicle history report, we delve into various paid databases around the world. carVertical has built strong business relations with auctions, insurance companies, manufacturers, and other institutions to obtain as much valuable and reliable data as possible.

Not only is this data not free – a regular individual won’t always be able to simply buy it.

How to decode the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?

The VIN number consists of 17 characters, which are divided into multiple sections. And you can technically decode a VIN without using a decoder. Every character has a fixed meaning.

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

The first section, known as the WMI code , has three characters.

The first one shows the country of origin, and it can vary from the number “1” (US) to the letter “Z” (Italy)
The second character shows the brand’s name. For example, “A” is for “Audi”, “B” is for “BMW”, "N" is for "Nissan". However, sometimes "A" represent British manufacturers or "R" can represent "Audi". That’s why another (third) character is needed in the WMI section.
The last one reveals the manufacturer’s division or whether it’s a sedan, convertible, SUV, or any other body type

The structure of the World Manufacturer Identifier section is a bit different when the vehicle isn’t mass-produced.

Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

The second section is the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS), and it consists of five characters. They hold information about the engine size and type, braking system, car series, model and body style. Each character represents different features and their meaning depends on the manufacturer.

Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)

The last 9 characters are the Vehicle Identifier Section or VIS. The information in this section is different, depending on whether the maker is American, European, or Asian.

For US vehicles, the first 2 digits designate the model year and manufacturing plant, whereas the remaining characters are a serial code.
With EU vehicles, the VIS only has to provide a "clear identification of a particular vehicle."

There’s no doubt that many vehicles will have the same configuration and will be assembled in the same location, so the only difference in their VIN is going to be the serial number.

Figuring out the model year without a chart is complicated. For example, while “1” is 2001 and “2” is 2002, “A” is 2010, and “B” is 2011.

Each assembly plant also has its own coding, so it’s best to find the character first and then look it up.

Check digit

This is the shortest section, and it has only one character – a “check digit.” This digit is the result of a mathematical operation, using all the other VIN characters into a formula.

If at least one character is fake or incorrect, the result won’t match the check digit. It’s possible to calculate the check digit yourself without performing a VIN search.

In US and Chinese cars, the check digit is always the 9th character in the VIN. EU vehicles don’t specify the exact position. Meanwhile, UK and Australian VIN codes have no check digit.

International VIN Decoder

The VIN number is just one of multiple ways to identify a vehicle.

Multiple identification ways are necessary for various reasons, including to detect various types of fraud. With that said, the standard ISO VIN is the most reliable vehicle identification method.

Old VIN numbers

Our universal VIN Decoder doesn’t work with old VIN formats due to different formatting. Vehicles manufactured between 1954 and 1981 use various VIN formats, so you’ll have to find a specific VIN lookup tool to decode them.

With that said, pre-1981 models can also be stolen, damaged, or written off just like any vehicle. As such, old VIN numbers are still necessary.

Frame or chassis number (especially in Japan)

VIN numbers aren’t as common in Japan. Instead, the country often uses chassis or frame numbers, whose format is completely different from the standard 17-character code.

Ordinary decoders can’t recognise these "chassis numbers" and "frame numbers" found in Japanese vehicles, so you’ll have to look for a decoder designed specifically for them.

License plate numbers

Most countries require you to register a vehicle to use it on public roads. This means there are databases holding data about each vehicle based on license plate numbers. Often license plate checks are free, but this depends solely on the country.

This check should provide no more than basic information like vehicle make and model, title and insurance status. Additionally, it’s not nearly as useful in cross-border situations.

Why is it important to do a VIN number lookup?

There are many reasons why it is important to do a VIN lookup. They depend on the situation of the user.

You may want to get a free VIN Decoder check to:

Confirm the VIN code matches a specific vehicle
Check basic specifications information
Help decode the VIN manually

Getting a VIN lookup for a full vehicle history is important if you’re:

Buying a used car – learn about damages, mileage rollbacks, and other important details. This can help you avoid bad deals or help to negotiate the price.
Selling a used car – buyers value transparency, so providing a history report is a great first step to build trust.
A car owner – learn about potential weak points or simply satisfy your curiosity.

What does a VIN decoder do?

A VIN decoder processes Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs), analyzes them, and helps users learn the meaning behind the 17-digit VIN code.

What is a free VIN decoder?

A free VIN decoder provides only information that is freely available. This includes details about the model and (sometimes) basic specifications, but typically does not include vehicle history data.

What does a VIN check show?

A paid VIN check shows important historical information about a vehicle. This includes past damages, suspected mileage rollbacks, and more.

Car history report

Avoid costly problems by checking a car's history. Just enter the VIN and get a full report.

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VIN Lookup: How to Decode Your VIN

What 17 numbers & letters can tell you about your car.

4/28/2011 (updated 2/10/2022 )

A vehicle identification number ( VIN ) is the 17-digit "name," made up of numbers and characters, that an automobile manufacturer assigns to an individual vehicle. Vehicle identification numbers can reveal many things about automobiles, including their airbag type, country of origin, engine size, model year, vehicle type, trim level and plant name. The VIN (sometimes known, redundantly, as the "VIN number") can also be used to check on safety recalls or obtain a vehicle history report. We will show you how later, but first we'll cover the background and basic facts of a vehicle's VIN.

The first VIN dates back to 1954, and for decades, VINs came in a wide variety of configurations, depending on the individual automaker. Vehicles from the '50s and up to 1980 cannot be decoded by modern methods. Instead, you'll need to get in touch with your Department of Motor Vehicles or contact the automaker directly.

In 1981, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration mandated that all vehicles from that point forward must have a standardized 17-digit vehicle identification number.

Typically, the vehicle identification number is stamped into a plate that's mounted on the dashboard near the windshield or the driver-side doorjamb. It's also stamped on the engine's firewall.

Modern 17-digit VINs can be used to access vehicle history reports , which can reveal many records relating to a vehicle, including ownership, accident and repair histories.

Also, car owners and used-car shoppers can enter a VIN in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's VIN lookup tool to see if there are open recalls on a vehicle.

Recommended VIN decoders

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website offers two free VIN check tools that allow you to either decode your VIN or check for a recall . We've tested both tools and found them to be fast and accurate. They also won't bombard you with pop-up ads or try to sell you something. If you're looking to sell your car , you can run a VIN check on Edmunds to get an instant cash offer, good for seven days at participating dealerships.

What do the letters and numbers mean in a VIN?

VIN information is organized in groups, and a search of your vehicle identification number can tell you a lot about your car. There's even a bit of fraud detection in the VIN in the form of the "check digit," described below.

The first group of three numbers and letters in a VIN make up the world manufacturer identifier (WMI).

In this group, the first digit or letter identifies the country of origin. For example, cars made in the U.S. start with 1, 4 or 5. Canada is 2, and Mexico is 3. Japan is J, South Korea is K, England is S, Germany is W, and Sweden or Finland is Y.

The second element in this group tells you about the manufacturer. In some cases, it's the letter that begins the manufacturer's name. For example, A is for Audi, B is for BMW, G is for General Motors, L is for Lincoln, and N is for Nissan. But an A can also stand for Jaguar or Mitsubishi, and an R can also mean Audi. It may sound confusing, but the next digit ties it all together.

The third digit, when combined with the first two letters or numbers, indicates the vehicle's type or manufacturing division. This Wikipedia page has a list of WMI codes.

The next six digits to check (positions 4-9) are the vehicle descriptor section.

Numbers 4 through 8 describe the car with such information as the model, body type, restraint system, transmission type and engine code.

Number 9 is the check digit, which is used to detect invalid VINs. The number that appears varies and is based on a mathematical formula that the U.S. Department of Transportation developed.

The following group of eight elements (10-17) is the vehicle identifier section.

In the 10th position, you'll see a letter indicating the model year. The letters from B to Y correspond to the model years 1981 to 2000. The VIN does not use I, O, Q, U or Z. From 2001 to 2009, the numbers 1 through 9 were used in place of letters. The alphabet started over from A in 2010 and will continue until 2030.

Yes, it's a bit confusing. Here are the model years since 2000: Y=2000, 1='01, 2='02, 3='03, 4='04, 5='05, 6='06, 7='07, 8='08, 9='09, A='10, B='11, C='12, D='13, E='14, F='15, G='16, H='17, J='18, K='19, L='20, M='21, N='22, P='23, R='24, S='25.

The letter or number in position 11 indicates the manufacturing plant where the vehicle was assembled. Each automaker has its own set of plant codes.

Production numbers (positions 12-17)

The final six digits are the production sequence numbers, which each car receives on the assembly line.

Other VIN decoder uses

A simple VIN decoder will help you learn an automotive pedigree and some key specifications, but those digits are also useful for less entertaining but more important reasons involving its title, registration and insurance. Make sure to check the VIN when purchasing replacement parts for your vehicle. Vehicle parts are often specific to certain VINs and may not fit your car if you only go by its year, make and model.

VIN decode FAQs

NOTE: Although "VIN" technically includes the word "number," people frequently use the phrase "VIN number" in their searches, which is why we're following that convention here.

Can I run a VIN number for free?

How can i check a car's history for free, can i look up my vehicle specs by vin number, how do i look up a vin number.

It depends on what information you're looking for. If you're interested to learn about where your vehicle was made, its specs and entertaining trivia, try a site such as Driving-Tests.org . If you're shopping for a used car and want to know more about its history before buying, we recommend running a Carfax or AutoCheck report. The reports can reveal if the motor vehicle you're considering has been reported stolen or if it has a salvage title .

We entered the VIN of a few vehicles that were once in the Edmunds long-term test fleet, and the search came up with some interesting information.

The first car VIN was the 2013 Scion FR-S . There was one item that stood out: The VIN decoder shows the manufacturer is Subaru, not Scion (now reabsorbed back into Toyota), but that's not an error. The Scion FR-S (now called the Toyota 86) and its twin, the Subaru BRZ , were the products of a joint venture between Subaru and Toyota. Both are manufactured at Subaru's plant in Japan.

The 2012 Fiat 500 is a reminder of just how globalized automakers have become. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, now known as Stellantis, is a multinational carmaker that manufactured the 500 at Chrysler's plant in Toluca, Mexico.

Notice that the 10th character in the VIN is "C." The letter represents the 2012 model year, but it could also mean 1982. Because the year is represented by one character (letter or number) and the VIN can only contain 17 characters, the code for a car's year has to be recycled every 30 years. So while one letter can represent more than one year, it should be pretty obvious whether you've got a 1982 or a 2012 — or 2042, for that matter.

Finally, here's a bit of vehicle history on a 2011 Ford Mustang GT. Notice that the manufacturer isn't listed as "Ford Motor Co." The AutoAlliance International Inc. was a joint venture between Ford and Mazda that produced the Mustang and the Mazda 6 for a while at a plant in Flat Rock, Michigan. Newer Mustangs list Ford as the automaker.

What is a VIN?

Can i decode a vin on edmunds, can i price a car on edmunds using a vin.

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Ronald Montoya has worked in the automotive industry since 2008. He has written over a thousand car related articles and bought and sold over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Ronald is a senior consumer advice editor and content strategy at Edmunds and has also contributed to the Associated Press. He has also been featured on ABC, NBC and NPR on a number of car shopping topics. He got his start in the auto industry by taking a part-time job at a car dealership, where he worked in the service and accounting department.

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VIN Decoder Powered by

NHTSA’s VIN decoder allows you to query a particular vehicle’s VIN to identify specific information encoded in the number.

Please enter VIN

Partial VINs are also accepted

Invalid Year Submitted – Pre-1981 Year Decode Attempt

If entered the year from VIN will be ignored

Using NHTSA's VIN Decoder to Identify a Vehicle’s Plant of Manufacture

Among the information NHTSA's VIN decoder provides is information about the vehicle’s plant of manufacture. After searching a VIN, you'll see the build plant and country for the vehicle in question. Refer to the "Plant Information" section at the bottom of the results.

More Information

The information displayed through NHTSA’s VIN decoder is reported by the manufacturer. If you have further questions regarding this information, please contact the vehicle manufacturer . In addition, more information may be available on a label affixed to the vehicle. NHTSA’s Part 583 webpage provides more information about this label.

If you are using NHTSA's VIN decoder to get information regarding the U.S. Electric Vehicle Tax Credit, please refer to information released by the U.S. Department of Energy , U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service , and these FAQs .

Free VIN Check

100% Free VIN Check For Any Vehicle

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Shopping for a used car? Avoid hidden problems. Get a reliable vehicle history report without paying any fees using your credit card.

Research on any vehicle registered in any of the 50 states in the US or from any automaker. All you need is the vehicle identification number (VIN) or the license plate number:

Over 38 million used car transactions occurred in 2016, according to Edmunds’ 2017 Used Vehicle Market Report . Do you know that a large number of buyers unknowingly buy vehicles with undisclosed issues? These scams have been plaguing the auto industry for years.

Beware: Auto Crimes that Hide a Used Car’s True Condition or Value

Watch out for these auto crimes that deceive people into thinking they bought the right car:

The goal is to boost the car’s value or price.
Digital odometers considered to be tamper-proof can be hacked to falsify the readings.
10 percent of cars in the US may have rolled back odometers (Source: Consumer Federation of America).
Title washing and other auto crimes are often committed in conjunction with odometer fraud.

Check if actual odometer reading is consistent with the vehicle history report!

The objective is to acquire a “clean” title and boost the car’s value.
It may involve altering vehicle documents or non-disclosure of critical information.
Cars damaged because of an accident, flood or other natural disasters are hot targets for title washing.
Close to 1,000,000 cases of title washing have been reported in the US, according to Carfax.

Watch out for “ washed titles ” after natural disasters or extreme weather like hurricanes, hail storms, and floods.

Exact figures representing cars with cloned VIN are not available.
The National Crime Prevention Council estimates VIN cloning to cost $36 million in fraudulent car deals.
According to FBI’s 2016 Uniform Crime Reports, motor vehicles theft rate was 236.9 per 100,000 people in 2016.
the unsuspecting buyer
the legal owners of the stolen vehicle
the source of the stolen VIN.

Run our free VIN check to verify if the records accurately match the car you want to buy. Due diligence in checking vehicle data makes it harder to commit these crimes.

So many factors come into play as you shop for a used car. Check all resources on any vehicle’s make and title-issuing state. VINCheck.info has compiled information that may help you understand the differences between your top choices.

Why should I run a free VIN Check?

Check for accidents . The NHTSA reports 6 million (estimate) car accidents every year. Unscrupulous sellers can hide some serious damages with cosmetic changes.
Check for title brands . Flood, hail damage, and salvage titles are examples of critical title brands. Brands offer clues on the car’s road-worthiness and condition.
Check for active Theft record or recovered theft record. Every 41 seconds, a motor vehicle is stolen in the US.
Check special purpose designations . You may need to modify a car with taxi-use, rental-use, or police-use designations for consumer use.

Visit our VIN Check by Make and VIN Check by State pages. Get in-depth information and vehicle history for vehicles of specific make and state of origin in the US.

Check for Recalls Search vehicles, car seats, tires and other equipment for safety recalls, investigations, complaints and manufacturer communication.

Where’s my vin.

Every vehicle has a unique vehicle identification number , often referred to as a VIN. Look on the lower left of your car’s windshield for your 17-character VIN. Your VIN is also located on your car’s registration card, and it may be shown on your insurance card.

What information will display in the search results?

When searching by license plate or VIN, you’ll learn if a specific vehicle needs to be repaired as part of a recall.
When searching by a vehicle’s year, make and model, or for car seats, tires or equipment, you'll get general results for recalls, investigations, complaints and manufacturer communications.

What will the license plate and VIN search show?

An unrepaired recall for a vehicle from certain manufacturers .
If the vehicle has no unrepaired recalls, you will see the message: "0 unrepaired recalls associated with this VIN."

What won’t the license plate and VIN search show?

A safety recall that has already been repaired.
Some recently announced safety recalls for which not all VINs have been identified. VINs are added continuously so please check regularly.
Safety recalls that are more than 15 years old (except where a manufacturer offers more coverage).
Safety recalls conducted by small vehicle manufacturers, including some ultra-luxury brands and specialty applications.
Manufacturer customer service or other non-safety recall campaigns.
A recall involving an international vehicle.

Why is the license plate search result showing a different vehicle?

License plate information is generated from state department of motor vehicles. If the search result shows a vehicle you previously owned, rather than your new vehicle with the same license plate, contact your state DMV to request your vehicle information be updated. In the meantime, you can search for recalls using your vehicle’s VIN.

Other search options, including by NHTSA ID

You can also search for recalls and safety issues information by NHTSA ID and complaints by keyword .

Get Recall Alerts

Download NHTSA's free SaferCar app. When SaferCar discovers a safety recall for the vehicle or equipment you entered, it will send you an alert on your phone.

You can also sign up for general recall alerts via email.

Report a Safety Problem by filing a complaint with NHTSA

Have you experienced a vehicle, tire, car seat, or equipment safety problem that could be a safety defect.

If so, you can file a complaint that we will carefully review — like we do with every safety problem submitted to NHTSA. Complaints like yours help us investigate possible defects, which could lead to a safety recall.

From complaints to recall

NHTSA issues vehicle safety standards and requires manufacturers to recall vehicles and equipment that have safety-related defects. Learn about NHTSA's recall process.

Reporting your problem is the important first step.

Your complaint will be added to a public NHTSA database after personally identifying information is removed.

If the agency receives similar reports from a number of people about the same product, this could indicate that a safety-related defect may exist that would warrant the opening of an investigation.

Investigations

Nhtsa conducts an investigation from reported complaints..

A. SCREENING

NHTSA reviews filed complaints from vehicle owners and other information related to alleged defects to decide whether to open an investigation.

B. ANALYSIS

NHTSA conducts an analysis of any petitions calling for defect investigations. If the petition is denied, the reasons for the denial are published in the Federal Register.

C. INVESTIGATION

NHTSA opens an investigation of alleged safety defects. It is closed when they notify the manufacturer of recall recommendations or they don’t identify a safety-related defect.

D. RECALL MANAGEMENT

NHTSA monitors the effectiveness and management of recalls, including the filing of recall notices with NHTSA, communicating with owners regarding the recalls and tracking the completion rate of each recall.

Initiated safety recalls require a manufacturer's action to announce and remedy the defects.

A recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tire creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet minimum safety standards. Most decisions to conduct a recall and remedy a safety defect are made voluntarily by manufacturers prior to any involvement by NHTSA.

Manufacturers are required to fix the problem by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund, or in rare cases repurchasing the vehicle.

Using our VIN lookup tool, you can access recall information provided by the manufacturer conducting the recall which may be not posted yet on NHTSA’s site.

Recall Spotlight

Recalls Spotlight monitors high-profile recalls and offers consumers resources to find and address vehicle recalls.

Defects Investigation and Recalls Resources

Quick links to databases, resources and reports related to defects investigations and recalls.

Roles in the Recall Process

Manufacturer

Manufacturers will notify registered owners by first class mail within 60 days of notifying NHTSA of a recall decision. Manufacturers should offer a proper remedy to the owner.

NHTSA will monitor each safety recall to make sure owners receive safe, free, and effective remedies from manufacturers according to the Safety Act and Federal regulations.

You (owner)

You’ll be notified via mail from the manufacturer. When you receive a notification, follow any interim safety guidance provided by the manufacturer and contact your local dealership to fix the recalled part for free.

Motor Vehicle Safety Defects And Recalls - What Every Vehicle Owner Should Know

Download this brochure to get more information about how and why recall campaigns are initiated, and to know your rights and responsibilities when a vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment is recalled.

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LET'S FIND YOUR VEHICLE

Enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) to learn about your vehicle's features, specs and more.

Here's How to Find Your Vin

What is a vin.

Where is the VIN located?

The VIN can be found on the VIN plate located on the driver's side of the dashboard just below the windshield (1). The VIN can also be found on the driver-side doorframe label (2), as well as on documents related to the vehicle's registration, title and insurance.

WHAT DOES EACH CHARACTER MEAN?

A VIN is a Vehicle Identification Number. It is a 17-character alphanumeric identifier or a manufacturer’s serial number. Each character in the VIN number has a significant meaning. Together, they create a number that provides information about the vehicle and its unique history. Referencing the example to the right: 3 - Shows where the vehicle is built, FT - Designates the vehicle manufacturer, BE673 - Denotes the vehicle’s brand, engine size and type and other details, E - Vehicle Security Code, T - Shows Vehicle Year, R - Indicates which plant assembled the vehicle, 678452 - Displays serial number of the vehicle.

WHERE CAN I FIND MY VIN?

The VIN can be found on the VIN plate located on the driver’s side of the dashboard just below the windshield (1). The VIN can also be found on the driver-side doorframe label (2), as well as on documents related to the vehicle’s registration, title and insurance.

We're here to help. Check out our list of FAQs, and if we haven't addressed your concern, don't hesitate to contact us .

By using a VIN decoder--like the one found here - you can learn what each character of a VIN reveals about the unique vehicle in question.

The 10th character of a vehicle's VIN can help you decipher its particular model year. To learn more about a particular VIN, enter it here .

Enter a VIN here to discover vehicle specifications, options, and more.

Yes. Characters 4-8 on a given VIN denotes the vehicle's manufacturer, engine size, and type. To learn more about a particular VIN, enter it here .

Yes. Enter a VIN here to discover vehicle specifications, options, and more.

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Recalls Look-up by VIN - Vehicle Identification Number

What this VIN search tool covers:

Safety recalls that are incomplete on a vehicle
Safety recalls conducted over the past 15 calendar years
Safety recalls conducted by major light auto automakers, including motorcycle manufacturers.

What this VIN search tool does NOT cover:

Completed safety recall information
Manufacturer customer service or other non-safety recall campaigns
International vehicles
Very recently announced safety recalls for which not all VINs have been identified
Safety recalls that are more than 15 years old (except where a manufacturer offers more coverage)
Safety recalls conducted by small vehicle manufacturers, including some ultra-luxury brands and specialty applications

Available Manufacturers

BMW Motorcycles
Chicago Scooter
Ducati Motorcycles
Freightliner
Freightliner Sprinter
Genuine Scooters
Harley-Davidson
Honda Motorcycles
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Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
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Thomas Built Bus
Volvo Trucks
Western Star
Yamaha Motorcycles

How To Decode Your Car’s Vehicle Identification Number

T hough your car was built on an assembly line with hundreds of other substantially identical vehicles, it is indeed unique. It has a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that will never be shared with another car, and that number contains important details about your ride.

The VIN indicates the year, model, engine and other options the car came with, information critical to getting the right parts for repairs and maintenance. In my experience from working in car factories and a repair shop, the VIN is the key to everything within a car or truck.

About the Expert

Chris Tonn is a freelance automotive journalist in Columbus, Ohio. He writes about auto news and technology, new car reviews and history. He worked as a service writer at a major repair shop chain and does almost all his own auto repair work at home.

What Is a VIN Number?

It's a government-mandated serial numbering system that implements several International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards, as well as National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requirements.

This set of 17 characters, required on all vehicles since 1981, identifies cars, trucks and other motor vehicles. The code reveals exactly when and where the vehicle was made, and by whom. In many cases, it also indicates the options and features on the vehicle.

Most people only encounter the VIN when renewing the vehicle registration or contacting an insurance company, but the characters within a VIN tell a car owner so much more. The critical numbers and letters help you buy the right replacement parts.

Where To Find VIN Number on a Car

Manufacturers place the VIN in several places throughout the vehicle.

Most commonly, you'll find it on a plate or sticker on the dashboard in front of the driver, visible through the windshield. Newer cars often have a barcode in this spot, too. You might notice your technician scanning the VIN next time you pull in for an oil change.

You may also find it under the door jamb, a plate under the hood on the firewall, or a sticker inside the glove box. I've even seen it stamped on the chassis of a vehicle underneath carpet. Some dealerships sell VIN etching onto the glass windows as a security measure.

Why all these places? Theoretically, it makes it harder for nefarious characters to re-sell parts from a stolen vehicle.

What Each Number in a VIN Means

At first glance, a VIN looks someone at the factory fell on a keyboard when typing out a serial number plate. But as you dig deeper, you'll find meaning in each of the 17 characters.

I'll list part of the VIN of my cherished classic car, a 1991 Mazda Miata I've owned for more than two decades, as an example. I've hidden some key characters with an X. I don't want anybody doing anything illegal with my insurance or registration. You never know with the internet.

Here it is: JM1NA3515MXXXXXXX

The first three characters are known as the World Manufacturer Identifier. These identify what company built the car, and country where it was manufactured.

The first character typically indicates the country:

1: United States;

K: South Korea or Israel;

S: United Kingdom or East Germany;

W: Germany;

Z: Italy or Slovenia.

The next two characters identify the manufacturer. A VIN with 1F is a U.S.-manufactured Ford, while JN is a Japan-manufactured Nissan. You can find tables online to help with the World Manufacturer Identifier, including the NHTSA VIN Decoder website.

In my Miata, JM1 is the World Manufacturer Identifier J for Japan, M for Mazda and 1 means it's a Mazda car, not a truck, which might be a JM2.

The next six characters describe the vehicle itself, according to codes known to each manufacturer. These can indicate a number of options installed on the car, including what kind of chassis. Some trucks may be offered in different wheelbases depending on the length of the bed or cab. That's something possibly indicated by these characters.

What Digit of the VIN is the Engine Code?

Some automakers use the eighth character of the VIN for an engine code . This is important on vehicles offered with different engines.

My Miata was only produced with a single type of engine in 1991. But I also own a 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer, which was offered with two engines. The eighth character in the Trailblazer's VIN is an S for the 4.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine. Another engine offered that year was a 5.3-liter V-8, which would be VIN code P.

Enthusiasts often discuss their vehicles by portions of their chassis codes as a point of reference with other car fanatics. It's helpful when trying to determine what parts might work on your favorite car.

In the case of my Miata, the fourth and fifth characters of the VIN are NA. A search of any number of enthusiast forums and social media outlets for an "NA Miata" will yield millions of results, where fans will debate the various merits of the vehicle.

The 10th digit is possibly one of the most important to identify. This is the model year indicator.

These started with the letter A in 1980, moving forward each year. So B was 1981, and so on. The letters O, I, Z and Q are excluded, as well as the number zero because they might be confused with other numbers or letters. For my Miata, the model year indicator is M, meaning it was built in the 1991 model year.

In 2001, letters were replaced with numbers, making a model year 2001 car a 1. In 2010, letters started up again with "A" as it is unlikely anyone would confuse a model year 2010 car with one built in 1980.

After that, the last seven characters are unique to each car. In some cases, the 11th character indicates the manufacturing facility where the car was built, but this isn't standard across the industry. The last digits typically advance one by one according to the date the vehicle was produced.