VIN codes & how to decode them
A VIN isn't random. Its 17 characters are structured, and once you know the structure you can read a surprising amount straight off the number.
The three sections
- WMI (1-3) — World Manufacturer Identifier: who built it and where.
- VDS (4-9) — Vehicle Descriptor Section: model, body, engine, and a check digit (position 9).
- VIS (10-17) — Vehicle Identifier Section: model year (position 10), plant, and the serial number.
Decode it
You don't need to memorise the tables — enter the VIN into a decoder and it returns the full breakdown, including specialist and low-volume builders.
For a free technical decode of any VIN (make, model, year, plant, specs), use the official NHTSA VIN decoder.
The check digit (position 9) is a maths test of the whole VIN. A VIN that fails the check digit is mistyped or fake.