Free VIN Decoder

Decode any VIN in seconds. Powered by direct OEM and authorized partner specifications, FAXVIN normalizes and validates the data to return up to ~120 attributes – model year and plant, engine and transmission, trim/options, dimensions, safety equipment, and recalls – for cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, RVs, and more. It's free and no signups needed, our datasets refresh frequently, and if a VIN is mistyped we do character-level hints.

What Is a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)?

Every ride rolling off the line since the early eighties carries this one-of-a-kind 17-character string called a VIN – short for Vehicle Identification Number. Think of it like a passport; it tells you the country of origin, the plant that built the car, the engine under the hood, even the trim somebody ordered, plus some factory options. Planning to buy used? That VIN is your first stop to peel back the history layers.

Looks like this: 1C6SRFFT8LN218916. ISO locked in the 17-character format in the early 1980s, and pretty much every vehicle follows it now. Numbers 0-9, letters A-Z except I, O, Q – avoids mix-ups with 1 and 0.

To decipher the VIN, it is commonly broken down to:
1C6-SRFFT-8-L-N-218916. We'll explain what each of these parts means below.

VIN Examples

Here are some examples of the VIN of different vehicles and models:

• 1C6SRFFT8LN218916
• 2T3R1RFV8LC123249
• 5UXCR6C07N9N07366
• 3C6MR4AJ0NG410085
• 1FMCU0G65NUB81782
• WAUEAAF45NN011294

Where to Find the VIN

Locating it on the car and documentation is usually simple. Always double-check. Numbers don't match? Red flag. Tampering marks? Bigger red flag. Walk away.

On the Actual Vehicle

• Dashboard: Left side, easy to read through the windshield from the driver's side.
• Driver's door jamb: Stuck to the Federal Safety Certification sticker.
• Spare-tire well: Pop the trunk, lift the spare - sometimes it's stamped down there.
• Front frame / under hood: Usually driver's side, near the washer reservoir or firewall.

On Paperwork and Records

• Title: Up top, right next to make, model, body style.
• Registration card: Front and center usually.
• Insurance docs: Policy and ID card both carry it.
• Owner's manual: Manufacturer often prints it inside.
• Service records: Shows up when ordering parts or logging work.
• Police reports: Noted after wrecks, thefts, recoveries.

What Does Each Digit Mean in a VIN?

A VIN is a tight-packed story, not a random string.

1st: country/region. 2nd-3rd: manufacturer and vehicle type. Middle digits describe key build traits (body/engine/restraints, by maker). 9th: check digit, a built-in checksum that helps catch typos and invalid VINs. 10th: model year. 11th: assembly plant. Last digits: the unique serial sequence.

Here's a table that will help you decode specific information hidden in VIN:

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

The first 3 characters, the codes that designate region/country manufacturer and vehicle class/type (WMI). Low volume makers (fewer than 500 units/year), use a 9 for 3rd character and the next 3 VIN characters further extends the ID.

• Country/Region: First letter (A-Z) points to the origin - AA-AH means South Africa, for instance.
• Manufacturer: The full WMI trio tags the brand - 1FD is Ford USA, stuff like that.
• Vehicle Type: Third character narrows the class - 1G1 is usually a Chevrolet passenger car.

WMI Codes: Brand & Country

Selected, high-confidence WMI mappings. Use this as a quick guide; full assignments are maintained under SAE/ISO rules and can vary by vehicle class and plant.

Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

These middle spots describe the vehicle itself. Positions 4-8 cover engine, body style, restraint setup, options. Ninth is the check digit - basically a math fingerprint to catch typos or fakes.

• Vehicle attributes: Engine family, body type, airbags, belts, the safety stuff.
• Check digit (9th): Calculated across the whole VIN. We run it automatically so you don't have to.

Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)

Positions 10–17 are the VIS and provide vehicle-specific details:

• Year (10th): Code from the official chart - A for 1980, B for 1981, all the way up. We've got a full year chart if you need it.
• Assembly plant (11th): Manufacturer-specific code for the exact factory.
• Sequential number (12-17): The build sequence number - basically the car's place in line that day.

Older VINs (Before 1981)

Before 1981, VINs were not standardized and often had 11–13 characters instead of today's 17. They can still reveal key details, but decoding usually requires manufacturer records or specialist references–especially for classic and vintage vehicles.

How Is a VIN Used?

The VIN is used as a permanent identifier throughout a vehicle’s life:

• Mechanics: To identify engine/trim & procure correct parts; to match with service bulletins.
• Insurance companies: To confirm year/make/model/trim & safety equipment for underwriting & claims.
• Manufacturers: Track campaigns & process safety recalls.
• Law enforcement: Recording accidents, thefts, and recoveries.
• DMV/BMV: register vehicles, issue titles & license plates, manage inspection.
• Buyers: Use a VIN decoder/lookup to confirm specs & pull a history report before buying to avoid cars with previous accidents, damage or odometer problems.

VIN Decoder Examples

The following example shows what you can see with our free VIN decoder:

What You Get from the FAXVIN VIN Decoder

Below are the core specs we typically return on a successful VIN lookup:

• Model year;
• Make;
• Model;
• Trim;
• Body style;
• Assembly country & plant code;
• GVWR class;
• Engine specs;
• Fuel type;
• Transmission;
• Driveline;
• Fuel economy (city/highway);
• Fuel tank capacity;
• Maximum towing capacity;
• Curb weight;
• Wheelbase;
• Tire size (OE);
• Brakes (front/rear);
• Suspension (front/rear);
• MSRP;
• Factory colors & interior trims.

Where Our VIN Decoder Data Comes From

Our decoder runs on manufacturer-supplied specification data. We obtain build information directly from automakers and their authorized data partners, then standardize, validate, and map it into a clear format you can actually read. And yes, we make the basic decode free.

• Collection: OEM catalogs, homologation files, service/parts databases, and technical bulletins across regions and model years.
• Normalization: Unifying option codes, engines, body styles, restraint systems, and plant codes; handling mid-year and regional variations.
• Validation: Check-digit verification (9th character), sample-VIN spot checks, and automated regression tests.
• Delivery: Instant VIN lookup/decoder output with concise labels – no sign-up required.

Which Vehicles Can Be Decoded by VIN?

Anything built to the modern 17-digit standard since 1981 – mostly these:

• Car;
• SUV;
• Pickup;
• Motorcycle;
• VAN;
• Commercial Truck;
• RV and Motorhome;
• Trailer and Camper;
• Moped and Scooter;
• Buses;
• ATV.

FAXVIN VIN Decoder vs. Other Decoders

Use FAXVIN when you need fast, manufacturer-accurate decoding with serious detail (up to ~120 attributes). Plenty of sites will happily give you something for free, but "something" can mean a thin, recycled bundle with a mystery data trail. We lean on direct OEM and authorized-partner inputs, rigorous normalization, and automated validation so the decode is consistent, not vibes-based.

How to Run a VIN Lookup

Use FAXVIN to decode a VIN and view free vehicle specifications in a few quick steps:

Quick routine I use every time:

1. Find the VIN: Dashboard, door jamb, title, registration, insurance papers – it's usually one of those.
2. Type it in: Right into the box at the top of this page.
3. Hit Decode: Takes seconds.
4. Scan the results: Make, model, year, trim, engine, body style, plant code – core stuff shows up instantly.
5. Want deeper details?: Click through for the full history report – accidents, title brands, mileage discrepancies, liens, theft records.

Jump up and try a free decode right now. Takes no time and might save you a headache later.

Additional Resources for Drivers

More reading if you want to go deeper:

• ISO/DIS 3779 – VIN: Content and structure
• 49 CFR Part 565 – Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Requirements (eCFR)
• Vehicle Identification Number – Structure, WMI, VDS, VIS & Check Digit
• State DMV Websites Directory