Instant VIN Reports
Know Your Car Inside Out
Don’t risk a major investment run a simple VIN check and unlock the complete past of any used vehicle.
What is a VIN?
A VIN is a unique code assigned to every motor vehicle when it's manufactured. It acts as a fingerprint for the vehicle, providing info such as the manufacturer, place of origin, and year of production. VINs appear on the dashboard, door jamb, and official documents like registration and insurance.
The Anatomy & How a VIN Decoder Works
Each character in a VIN has a meaning: the first letter indicates the country of manufacture, others show engine size, series, and car type. A VIN decoder breaks the 17-character VIN into details such as Make & Model, Year, Engine Type, Place of Origin, Recalls, Previous Accidents, Ownership History, and more.
Why VIN Decoders Are Important
VIN decoders are vital for consumers buying used cars, dealerships providing transparent info, and regulatory bodies conducting investigations. They simplify complex VINs into actionable insights, helping make informed decisions, ensure compliance, and maintain vehicle safety.
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. The VIN can also be found on the driver-side doorframe label, as well as on documents related to the vehicle’s registration, title and insurance.
WHAT DOES EACH CHARACTER MEAN?
This section breaks down every character in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), showing precisely what each digit represents. From the manufacturer and model to the engine specifications, body style, safety features, and production details, you’ll learn how every part of the VIN reveals essential information about your vehicle’s identity and history. Understanding these characters helps you verify authenticity, spot potential issues, and make confident decisions when buying or selling a car.
How a VIN Is Decoded
Decode your VIN to reveal important insights like the model year, manufacturer, engine specifications, vehicle type, and trim features.
| VIN SECTION | MEANING | EXAMPLE |
|---|---|---|
|
WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier) |
Identifies the manufacturer & country of origin (first three characters). | SAL (S = Europe, A = UK, L = Land Rover) |
|
VDS (Vehicle Description Section) |
Defines model, engine type, and production series (characters 4–9). | LAA13 (SUV, Diesel Engine) |
|
VIS (Vehicle Identification Section) |
Model Year, Assembly Plant, Serial Number (last 8 characters). |
36A (2006 Model Year) 123456 (Production Sequence) |
Skip the Risk Always Verify the VIN Before Buying
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check is the smartest way to verify a car’s history and identity before buying.
Ensuring the vehicle matches official records protects you from fraud and hidden issues. A VIN check can reveal if a car is stolen, cloned, or written off, giving you peace of mind when purchasing a used car. Don’t risk surprises perform a VIN check today and make a safe, informed purchase.
- Protect Yourself: Verify the Car’s VIN Matches Authentic Records.
- VIN Security Check: Safeguard Against Cloning, Theft, and Tampering.
- Complete Vehicle History Check: Past Owners, Accident Details & Pending Finance.
Unlock the full story and accurate value of any car before you buy or sell.
Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions
What is a VIN? ▼
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-character code that uniquely identifies a vehicle.
Where can I find my VIN? ▼
You can find the VIN on the dashboard near the windshield, inside the driver-side door, or on registration documents.
What does a VIN decoder do? ▼
A VIN decoder extracts detailed vehicle information such as year, manufacturer, engine type, and model.
Is VIN decoding free? ▼
Yes! Basic VIN decoding is free. Some services charge for full history reports.
Why is my VIN not working? ▼
If your VIN is not 17 characters or contains invalid characters, it may not decode properly. Check for typos.