Free VIN Decoder
Enter a 17-character VIN to instantly read the manufacturer, country of build and model year — right in your browser.
Catalog for this make: —
Want the exact parts for this vehicle? VINsearch resolves the full build and shows genuine OEM numbers from 52 catalogs.
Find parts by VINBasic decode from the VIN structure (no external database). Results are indicative; register for a full, build-exact lookup.
What is a VIN?
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code stamped on every modern vehicle. It is the key that unlocks accurate parts identification, because it encodes exactly how the car was built. The VIN never uses the letters I, O or Q (to avoid confusion with 1 and 0).
The three parts of a VIN
- WMI (1–3) — World Manufacturer Identifier: who built the vehicle and in which country.
- VDS (4–9) — Vehicle Descriptor Section: model, body, engine and restraint information; character 9 is a check digit.
- VIS (10–17) — Vehicle Identifier Section: model year (character 10), plant code and the serial number.
Why the model year can be two different years
Character 10 carries the model year, and it runs on a 30-year cycle. The same letter serves two years three decades apart: A is 1980 and 2010, K is 1989 and 2019, R is 1994 and 2024. The character alone cannot tell you which.
For vehicles built to the North American rule there is a tie-breaker. Character 7 is a letter on vehicles from the later cycle and a digit on the earlier one, which resolves the ambiguity. Outside that market the convention is not guaranteed, so this decoder shows the likely year and names the alternative rather than sounding certain about a car it cannot see. The production date on the door jamb sticker settles it in seconds, and it is the date the parts catalog cares about anyway.
Reading the rest of the VIS
Character 11 is the assembly plant. The code is manufacturer-specific rather than standardised, so the same letter means different factories at different carmakers, which is why this tool shows the character without guessing at a name. Characters 12 to 17 are the serial number, assigned in build sequence.
From VIN to the right part
This free tool reads the structure of the VIN. To go further — to the exact engine, gearbox and equipment, and the genuine OEM part numbers that fit — you need the manufacturer's electronic parts catalog. VINsearch gives you 52 of them from a single login. Learn more about reading a VIN →
VIN decoder FAQ
What is a VIN?
A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-character code that identifies a specific vehicle. It encodes the manufacturer, country of build, model year, and a serial number.
Is this VIN decoder free?
Yes. This basic VIN decoder runs in your browser and is completely free — it reads the manufacturer, country and model year from the VIN structure. For exact parts identification by VIN, register at lk.vinsearch.online.
Why doesn't the check digit match my VIN?
The 9th-character check digit is mandatory for vehicles built for North America and China, but many European and Asian-market VINs don't use it. A non-matching check digit on those vehicles is normal and does not mean the VIN is invalid.
Can I find car parts with a VIN?
Yes — that's what VINsearch is for. Enter a VIN into the platform and it resolves the exact factory build, then shows genuine OEM part numbers and exploded diagrams from 52 official catalogs.
Where do I find my VIN?
The VIN is usually visible at the base of the windscreen on the driver's side, on the driver-side door jamb, in the service book, and on the vehicle registration documents.
Why does the decoder show two possible model years?
The model-year character runs on a 30-year cycle, so the same letter covers two years three decades apart: A is both 1980 and 2010. On vehicles built to the North American rule, character 7 resolves it (a letter means the later cycle, a digit the earlier one). Elsewhere that convention is not guaranteed, so both are shown. The production date on the door jamb sticker gives the definitive answer.
What does character 11 tell me?
It is the assembly plant code. Manufacturers assign these themselves rather than following a shared standard, so the same letter means different factories at different carmakers. The decoder shows the character; the manufacturer catalog resolves it to a plant.