VIN decoding: what the chassis number means
The 17 characters of a VIN are the car's identity card. Enter the VIN below to see whether we hold data for it, then unlock the full history.
VIN structure: the three blocks
WMI · positions 1-3
Identifies the manufacturer and country of origin. E.g. codes starting with W mean a German maker.
VDS · positions 4-9
Describes the model, body type and engine. Position 9 is a mathematical check digit.
VIS · positions 10-17
Contains the model year (position 10), the plant and the unique serial number of the unit.
Note: the letters I, O and Q never appear in a VIN. They're excluded so they aren't confused with the digits 1 and 0. A 'VIN' with an O or I is a serious reason for suspicion.
Where to find the VIN
- 1In the registration certificate, at field E, the official source.
- 2On the windshield, lower corner near the dashboard, visible from outside.
- 3Stamped on the body: under the passenger seat, in the engine bay or near the spare wheel.
- 4On the label on the driver's door frame.
What decoding and checking the VIN reveals
Factory data
Make, model, year, country, body, engine and original equipment.
Real history
Mileage recorded over time, damage, accidents and listing photos.
Legal risk
Theft status, lien, active leasing and commercial (taxi) use.
The factory data is only the start. For the real history, see the full VIN check, with mileage, damage and legal status.
Frequently asked questions
Is VIN decoding free?
Yes. What each character means is explained here for free, and in the field above you see, also for free, the make and whether we hold data for your VIN. The full history report (mileage, damage) costs from 17.90 €.
How many characters does a VIN have?
Exactly 17 alphanumeric characters. They are unique to every car in the world and never contain the letters I, O and Q.
What do I learn from decoding the VIN?
The manufacturer, country of origin, model, body type, engine and year of manufacture, all straight from the code structure.
Can I find the year of manufacture from the VIN?
Yes, the tenth position encodes the year with a letter or digit. Always cross-check the VIN year against the registration.