RV VIN Lookup & Decoder

Like any other vehicle, an RV receives a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number at the factory. For manufacturers, it encodes core specs such as make and model.

Once on the road, the VIN serves as the vehicle's ID, allowing law enforcement, insurers, repair facilities, DMVs, and auto auctions to attach records over time. FAXVIN aggregates these records from multiple sources so you can review them in one place.

What Is an RV VIN Lookup?

An RV VIN lookup helps you research a motorhome's background using its Vehicle Identification Number.

When shopping for a used RV, you can quickly screen for title brands, prior accidents, odometer issues, theft or total-loss events, active liens, and open safety recalls (see our recalls page).

The lookup compiles available records into a single, easy-to-read report sourced from government and industry databases, helping you make a more informed decision.

What Is an RV VIN Decoder?

An RV VIN decoder interprets the 17-character code itself to reveal factory-assigned details.

By parsing the WMI, VDS, and VIS sections and validating the check digit, it confirms the VIN's integrity and returns core specs such as make, model year, class (A/B/C), body, engine, and assembly plant.

Use the decoder first to verify you have a valid VIN and to confirm the seller's description; then run the full lookup to see history records tied to that number.

Why Is a Motorhome VIN Check Important?

It's essential for you to conduct an RV VIN check before signing on the dotted line because it can help you:

Check if the RV Is Roadworthy

Visual checks and a short test drive won't reveal prior damage. Hidden issues from crashes or floods can surface later, jeopardizing safety and increasing repair costs.

Run a VIN lookup to see accident records and any reported natural-disaster damage; many states also publish crash histories via their DMV websites. Some findings aren't dealbreakers, but they're useful leverage for negotiating a lower price.

Maintenance & Service History

An RV VIN lookup may surface reported maintenance and repair events tied to the VIN. When available, these entries help you confirm when the RV was last serviced, whether routine care appears on schedule, and how major work aligns with the seller's claims.

Service data isn't universal: records show up only if a dealer, shop, insurer, or data partner submitted them – major repairs are more likely to be recorded than routine items. Treat gaps as unknowns and verify with receipts or a pre-purchase inspection. If you own the RV, using shops that document and share service records can make future resale easier.

Find Out if the RV Was Stolen

Before you buy, screen the VIN for theft or insurer total-loss records. Use the National Insurance Crime Bureau to see if a vehicle was reported stolen and not recovered, or declared a salvage/total loss by participating insurers. Results are limited to participating insurers and may not include all incidents.

To check open safety recalls, use NHTSA's official recall lookup by VIN. VIN Check complements your motorhome VIN lookup by flagging high-risk records before you proceed with the purchase.

Verify the Seller's Claims

A VIN check can help you discover extensive details about the car's specifications, such as engine types, engine size, max horsepower, fuel tank capacity, and more. You can cross-reference the information with that provided by the sellers and prevent them from pulling a fast one on you.

Identify a Lemon

RVs and motorhomes can qualify as "lemons" when a serious defect substantially impairs their use, value, or safety. In RVs, that can include recurring structural, electrical, or LP-gas system issues – problems you don't want in a vehicle you both drive and live in.

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup to check for open safety recalls; if any appear, ask for written proof that repairs were completed. Don't rely on seller assurances – verify with official records and service invoices.

Uncover Title Issues

An RV VIN lookup can help you confirm if the motorhome has a free, clean title. Some people use their car title as collateral for a loan and haven't repaid it in full, which means the lenders still have legal rights to possess the car until the debt is repaid. Therefore, you should always steer clear of any car with a lien on it. Otherwise, you're likely throwing your money down the drain.

Ascertain the Market Value

A VIN search on your RV can uncover the vehicle's sales record and tell you its last selling price. With this information, you can become more aware of the market value of the unit and avoid overpaying for it.

Where Is the VIN Located on the RV?

Always verify the VIN on the vehicle itself – not just in the paperwork – to avoid mistakes or misrepresentation.

Typical locations vary by RV type and manufacturer.

Motorhomes (Class A/B/C)

• Driver's door jamb (sticker or metal plate).
• Driver's-side dashboard, visible through the windshield (public VIN plate).
• Engine bay: firewall or radiator support (less common).

Towables (Travel Trailers & Fifth Wheels)

• A-frame/tongue (stamped on the frame or on a plate).
• Pin box or pin box mount framework (fifth wheels).
• Roadside front wall or sidewall ID sticker.
• Near the axles or inside a wheel well.
• Inside an interior cabinet/closet (manufacturer label).

VIN Location on Vintage RVs

Before 1981, VINs were not standardized to the modern 17-character format. On older RVs, check the tongue, frame rails near the hitch, or other metal frame areas; corrosion may obscure the stamping.

RV & Motorhome Types

This at-a-glance guide shows where to find the VIN and what to expect by RV type. Use it to verify the number on the vehicle before you run a full lookup.

Popular Model Examples

What Does an RV Report Contain?

An RV history report is organized into several sections. The two most important for buyers are the VIN Decoder, which verifies the VIN and reveals core specs, and the VIN Lookup, which aggregates title, damage, and other historical records.

VIN Decoder (Instant Specs)

The VIN Decoder validates the 17-character VIN and instantly reveals core specifications. It typically includes:

• Manufacturer (WMI);
• Model & Model Year;
• Body Type / RV Class (e.g., Class A/B/C motorhome; for towables: trailer type);
• Engine & Fuel Type (motorhomes);
• Assembly Plant;
• Sequential Production Number;
• VIN Check Digit Validation;
• Select Attributes defined by the manufacturer and encoded in the VIN, when available.

VIN Lookup (Full History Report)

The VIN Lookup aggregates records from government and industry data sources to surface history that a simple decode cannot. It may include:

• Accident History: Information about any reported accidents or damage events involving the RV.
• Reported Odometer Readings: Historical readings from sales, inspections, or registrations to help detect rollbacks.
• Recalls & Manufacturer Notices: Open safety recalls and related manufacturer communications, where available.
• Lien & Repossession Records: Whether the RV's title is encumbered by a lien or was ever repossessed.
• Theft & Recovery Records: Whether the RV was reported stolen and, if applicable, later recovered.
• Flood, Hail, and Fire Damage: Evidence of title brands or insurance loss events involving flood, hail, or fire, where available.

We also include other helpful details to ensure you make the right purchase decision. Getting this information is as easy as entering the VIN and ordering the motorhome VIN check report.

How the Lookup Works

To reveal your RV's details, enter its VIN in the RV VIN lookup tool at the top of this page. First, we validate the VIN using the federally defined check digit (the ninth character in the 17-character VIN); you can also verify it with our check digit tool. We then decode the VIN's structure (WMI/VDS/VIS) to show core factory specifications such as make, model year, body/class, engine, and assembly plant.

After the VIN is validated, our system queries and aggregates records from hundreds of government, insurance, auction, and industry sources. We continuously collect, normalize, and update data from titles and registrations, accident and damage reports, odometer readings, salvage and total-loss events, liens, theft records and recoveries, service and inspection entries, sales and auction listings, and safety-recall information, where available.

We de-duplicate overlapping entries, reconcile conflicts across sources, and organize everything into a clear, chronological timeline tied to your VIN. Each record is labeled with its type, date, and source attribution when provided, so you can quickly verify what happened and when.

Can I Check an RV VIN for Free?

Yes. With FAXVIN you can run a free VIN lookup and decode the VIN to see core specs (make, model year, class/body, engine, assembly plant). You'll also get a preview of available history sections.

The free view doesn't include full history (e.g., accidents, title brands, odometer events, liens). To access complete records, order the paid report. A practical approach is to use the free decode to shortlist several RVs, then purchase full reports for your finalists.

You can also combine our results with official free tools:

• NHTSA Recall Lookup – check open safety recalls by VIN.
• NICB VINCheck – screen for theft and insurer total-loss records (free; up to five lookups per day).
• State DMV portals – some states provide basic title/registration status by VIN (e.g., Florida DHSMV Vehicle Information Check).

How to Get an RV Report

Getting a report takes just a few steps.

1. Find the VIN search box at the top of this page.
2. Enter the 17-character VIN of the RV.
3. Select Check VIN to validate and decode it.
4. Review the free results and, if needed, purchase the full history report.

The full report may include title brands, accident and damage records, odometer readings, theft or total-loss events, active liens, and recall status where available.

External Links

• NMVTIS (U.S. DOJ) – Consumer Information – Title brands, odometer readings, and theft data overview.
• FTC – Dealer's Guide to the Used Car Rule – Buyer's Guide disclosures and consumer rights.
• California DMV – Recreational Vehicles & Trailers Handbook – licensing & operation rules relevant to RV owners.