Free VIN Decoder

Brands we build equipment lists for

The decoder above shows the VIN basics. BuildVIN produces the full factory equipment list — every option your car was actually built with — for 57+ makes:

What is a VIN?

A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is the unique 17-character code stamped on every car at the factory. It never contains the letters I, O or Q (to avoid confusion with 1 and 0), and it never changes — which is why it can unlock your car's original factory records.

What the three parts mean

WMI (1–3) — the World Manufacturer Identifier: who built the car and in which region. VDS (4–9) — the Vehicle Descriptor Section: model, body and (on many makes) the engine and trim. VIS (10–17) — the Vehicle Identifier Section: model year, assembly plant and the unique serial number.

The model year in the VIN (10th character)

On most VINs the 10th character is the model year. The letters I, O, Q, U and Z and the digit 0 are never used, and the cycle repeats every 30 years: A stood for 1980 and for 2010, and Y for 2000.

In North America the 10th character is always the model year. Many European manufacturers use it the same way, but it is not compulsory there, so on some European VINs it is not a year. Our reports show the production date whenever the manufacturer's data includes it.

The check digit (9th character)

On North American VINs the 9th character is a check digit calculated from the other 16 characters, so a single typo makes the VIN invalid. European manufacturers are not required to use it, which is why a European VIN can be correct even when its 9th character does not match the calculation.

The manufacturer codes we see most

The first three characters (the WMI, World Manufacturer Identifier) name the manufacturer and often the plant or region. These are the codes that appear most often in the reports we have delivered.

Decoder vs. full equipment list

This free decoder reads the VIN's structure — make, country, year. To see the actual options your specific car was ordered with (wheels, sound system, driver assistance, packages…), you need its factory equipment list, which BuildVIN builds from the same VIN. Get yours here →