Free VIN decoder
Type a vehicle identification number and see what it says about the car, truck or motorcycle: specs, where it was built, safety equipment and safety recalls.
- 100% free decode
- Official NHTSA data
- No owner or plate data
What a free VIN decode shows you
Make, model and year
The exact model year from the 10th character, plus trim and series when the maker reports them.
Engine and drivetrain
Cylinders, engine size, horsepower, fuel type, transmission and drive type (FWD, RWD, AWD or 4x4).
Body and size
Body style, doors, seats and the gross vehicle weight rating used for trucks and vans.
Factory
The manufacturer and the plant city and country where the vehicle was assembled.
Safety equipment
Airbags, ABS, stability control, emergency braking, blind spot and lane assist, when listed.
Safety recalls
Recalls NHTSA has on file for that make, model and year, with the problem, the risk and the fix.
Accident, title and odometer history is not part of a free decode. It comes from state title records and insurers, and needs a paid vehicle history report.
How to read a VIN: the 17 characters explained
Every car and light truck sold in the US since the 1981 model year has a 17-character VIN. It is split into three parts, and each position has a fixed meaning.
| Position | Name | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country or region | Where the maker is based for this vehicle: 1, 4 or 5 = USA, 2 = Canada, 3 = Mexico, J = Japan, K = South Korea, W = Germany, S = UK, Z = Italy, L = China. |
| 2-3 | Manufacturer | Together with position 1 this is the WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier). 1FT, for example, is a Ford truck built in the USA. |
| 4-8 | Vehicle descriptor | Model line, body, engine, restraint system and weight class. Each maker uses its own code list. |
| 9 | Check digit | A security digit (0-9 or X) calculated from the other 16 characters. It catches typos and fake VINs. |
| 10 | Model year | One letter or digit per year. The code table below shows which. |
| 11 | Assembly plant | The factory that built the vehicle, coded by each maker. |
| 12-17 | Serial number | The production sequence number that makes the VIN unique. |
Example
In 1HGCM82633A004352: 1HG = Honda, made in the USA; CM826 = Accord, body and engine codes; 3 = check digit; 3 = 2003 model year; A = Marysville, Ohio plant; 004352 = serial number.
VIN model year codes (10th character)
The 10th character repeats every 30 years. To tell 1990 from 2020 (both "L"), look at the 7th character: on cars and light trucks it is a number for 1980-2009 and a letter for 2010-2039.
The letters I, O, Q, U and Z and the digit 0 are never used as year codes.
VIN decoder by make
Each brand has its own manufacturer codes and VIN habits. Pick yours:
VinGear in figures
Most recalled models › Recently decoded VINs › VIN check by state ›
The check digit: how to spot a fake or mistyped VIN
The 9th character is calculated from the other 16. Each letter gets a number value, each position a weight, and the total is divided by 11. The remainder is the check digit (10 is written as X). If one character is wrong, the result no longer matches. Our decoder runs this test on every VIN. It is required in the US and Canada; vehicles built for other markets often skip it.
Letters I, O and Q never appear in a VIN, so they cannot be confused with 1 and 0. If your VIN seems to have one, it is a 1 or a 0.
Where to find your VIN
Dashboard
Look through the windshield at the lower driver-side corner of the dashboard.
Driver door jamb
Open the driver door: the VIN is on the sticker or plate on the door frame, near the latch.
Title and registration
Printed on the vehicle title, registration card and insurance card.
Motorcycles
Stamped on the steering neck (the frame tube behind the handlebars), often also on the engine case.
Trailers and RVs
On the tongue or front frame rail of a trailer, and on a plate inside the door or near the hitch of an RV.
Engine and frame
Many cars and trucks also carry the VIN, or part of it, on the engine block and the frame.
Tip: compare the VIN on the dashboard, the door jamb and the title. If they differ, walk away from the deal.
Latest guides
VIN decoder FAQ
Is the VIN decoder really free?
Yes. Decoding a VIN and seeing recalls on VinGear costs nothing and needs no account. The data comes from public NHTSA services.
Can I find the owner of a car by its VIN?
No. Owner names and addresses are protected by the US Driver's Privacy Protection Act. VinGear never shows or stores owner names, addresses or plate numbers.
Does a free VIN check show accidents or a salvage title?
No. A decode shows how the vehicle left the factory. Accidents, title brands (salvage, rebuilt, flood) and odometer readings come from title and insurance records, which need a paid history report.
Why does my VIN show "not decoded"?
Usually a typo, a vehicle built for another market, a very new model not yet in the NHTSA database, or a small trailer maker. Check the VIN on the vehicle itself and try again.
Can I decode a VIN from before 1981?
Not reliably. Before the 1981 model year each maker used its own format, usually 11 to 13 characters, so there is no standard to decode.
Does it work for motorcycles, trucks and trailers?
Yes, as long as the maker reports the VIN to NHTSA. Most motorcycles, pickups, heavy trucks, RVs and many trailers decode fine.
Are the recalls for my exact car?
NHTSA lists recalls per make, model and year. To see whether the repair was already done on your car, ask a dealer for that brand or use the maker's recall lookup with your VIN.