Decode any VIN into full vehicle specifications.
Enter a 17-character VIN and instantly see the manufacturer, model, engine, and specs encoded in it.
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What is a VIN?
A Vehicle Identification Number is a standardized 17-character code that acts as a fingerprint for a specific vehicle. Every character (or group of characters) in the sequence has a defined meaning, from the country where the vehicle was manufactured to a unique serial number that distinguishes it from every other vehicle built on the same line.
The 17 VIN positions explained
| Position 1 | Country of origin The country where the manufacturer is based. |
| Position 2 | Manufacturer The specific manufacturer (combined with position 1 and 3 as the World Manufacturer Identifier). |
| Position 3 | Vehicle type / division Completes the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), narrowing down the manufacturing division. |
| Position 4 through 8 | Vehicle attributes Brand, engine type, body style, and model series — the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS). |
| Position 9 | Check digit A calculated digit used to validate that the VIN is authentic and hasn't been altered. |
| Position 10 | Model year A letter or number code representing the vehicle's model year. |
| Position 11 | Plant code Identifies the specific assembly plant where the vehicle was built. |
| Position 12 through 17 | Serial number A unique sequential production number — no two vehicles from the same manufacturer share this sequence. |
VIN decoding example
Example — illustrative only:
1HGCM82633A004352
United States
Honda
3 → 2003
004352
Manufacturer information
The first three characters of a VIN — the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) — are registered with a governing body (the Society of Automotive Engineers in the U.S.) and uniquely identify the manufacturer and country of origin, so decoding them reliably tells you who built the vehicle and where.
Specifications you can decode
Manufacturer & make
The brand and manufacturer that produced the vehicle.
Model & trim
The specific model, generation, and trim level.
Model year
The vehicle's official model year, decoded from position 10.
Plant & country
Where the vehicle was assembled, decoded from positions 1–3 and 11.
Frequently asked questions
What is a VIN?
A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-character code assigned to every motor vehicle when it's manufactured. It encodes the vehicle's country of origin, manufacturer, attributes, model year, assembly plant, and a unique serial number.
What do the 17 characters in a VIN mean?
Positions 1–3 identify the manufacturer (World Manufacturer Identifier). Positions 4–8 describe vehicle attributes like engine and body style. Position 9 is a check digit. Position 10 is the model year. Position 11 is the assembly plant. Positions 12–17 are a unique serial number.
Why do VINs never contain the letters I, O, or Q?
Those letters are excluded because they can be visually confused with the numbers 1 and 0, which reduces the risk of transcription errors when a VIN is read or entered manually.
Can two vehicles have the same VIN?
No. VINs are designed to be unique to a specific manufacturer for a specific model year (going back roughly 30 years, per international standards), which is why the combination of manufacturer code, attributes, and serial number reliably identifies one vehicle.
Does decoding a VIN show me the vehicle's history?
No — decoding a VIN reveals manufacturer-assigned specifications only. To see history data like accidents, title brands, or ownership records, you need a DriveEvidence Vehicle Intelligence Report.
Decode your VIN now
Free, instant results — or get the full history with a Vehicle Intelligence Report.