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Free VIN Decoder.

Decode any 17-character VIN in seconds. See the make, model, year, engine, where the car was built and whether the VIN is valid.

VIN

VINs never use the letters I, O or Q. Where is my VIN?

Instant decodingCheck digit validationAll makes & models
Decoded VIN

2018 Dodge Charger SXT

2C3CDXBG3JH232310
Valid check digitFull specs
Year2018
MakeDodge
ModelCharger
TrimSXT
Body style4D Sedan
Engine3.6L V6 DOHC 24V
Transmission8-Speed Automatic
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Fuel typeGasoline
Made inCanada
City / Highway19 / 30 mpg
Seating5
What each character means

17 characters. One unique car.

Every VIN follows the same international standard. Tap a group to see what it tells you.

WMI

World Manufacturer Identifier

Tells you who built the car and in which country. The first character is the region.

2C3 → Canada · Chrysler
Where to find your VIN

Look in one of these 5 places.

The VIN is the same everywhere on the car and its paperwork. If two locations don’t match, ask the seller why before you buy.

  1. 1
    DashboardDriver’s side, seen through the bottom of the windshield.
  2. 2
    Driver’s door jambOn the sticker where the door latches.
  3. 3
    Engine bayFront of the engine block or on the firewall.
  4. 4
    Title & registrationPrinted on your ownership and DMV documents.
  5. 5
    Insurance cardListed on your policy and proof of insurance.
Top view of a car showing where the VIN is located
4
TitleVIN 2C3CDXBG3JH232310
5
InsuranceVIN 2C3CDXBG3JH232310
Decoder vs. full report

Free decoding is a start. Not the full story.

Free VIN DecoderFull History Report
Year, make, model & trim
Engine, transmission & drivetrain
Country & plant of manufacture
VIN check digit validation
Accident & damage history
Title brands (salvage, flood, lemon)
Odometer readings & rollback check
Ownership, liens & recalls
Market values
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FAQ

VIN decoder questions.

Quick answers about VINs and what a decoder can tell you.

Still have questions?Our support team is here to help.
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Is the VIN decoder really free?
Yes. Decoding a VIN to see the vehicle’s year, make, model and specifications is free, with no account needed. A full history report with accidents, title and odometer records is a paid product.
What does “invalid check digit” mean?
The 9th character is calculated from the other 16. If it doesn’t match, the VIN was probably typed wrong. If you copied it correctly from the car, treat it as a warning sign and check it against the title.
Why are the letters I, O and Q never used?
They look too much like the numbers 1 and 0, so the standard leaves them out to avoid reading mistakes.
Does the decoder work for cars built before 1981?
The 17-character standard started with 1981 models. Older vehicles use shorter numbers that vary by manufacturer, so they can’t be decoded the same way.
Can a VIN tell me if a car was in an accident?
Not by itself. The VIN describes how the car was built. Accident, title and mileage records are found by searching databases with that VIN, which is what a full history report does.