Free Tesla VIN Decoder

Decode any Tesla VIN in seconds. See the model, motor and drive type, assembly plant and model year, plus open recalls from NHTSA, before you buy, sell or service your Tesla.

  • 100% free
  • Data from NHTSA
  • Instant results

What our free Tesla VIN decoder shows

One VIN, the key facts about any Tesla. When you enter a Tesla VIN, the decoder reads the codes built into those 17 characters and matches them to records from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In a few seconds you see:

  • Model and trim: which Tesla model it is, and the trim when it is encoded.
  • Model year: taken from the 10th character of the VIN.
  • Engine and powertrain: engine size, fuel type and transmission when available.
  • Body style: sedan, coupe, SUV, minivan, van or pickup.
  • Motor and drive: single motor or dual motor all-wheel drive.
  • Assembly plant: the factory that built the vehicle.
  • Open safety recalls: any recall on record with NHTSA for that exact VIN.

This helps when you are checking a used Tesla for sale, ordering the right parts, comparing a listing to the real vehicle or getting an insurance quote.

How to look up a Tesla VIN

  1. Find the 17-character VIN on the vehicle or its paperwork (see where to find it below).
  2. Type it into the box at the top of this page. Letters are not case-sensitive.
  3. Select Decode VIN.
  4. Compare the results with the seller’s listing: model, year, engine and drivetrain should all match.

A valid VIN never contains the letters I, O or Q, because they look too much like 1 and 0. If the decoder rejects a VIN, check for those letters first.

How to read a Tesla VIN

Every Tesla built since 1981 has a 17-character VIN that follows the same international standard. Here is an example:

5YJ 3E1EA 2 M F 123456

CharactersIn this VINWhat it tells you
1–3 · WMI5YJThe manufacturer and country. 5YJ is a Tesla built in the United States.
4–8 · Vehicle descriptor3E1EAModel line (here, Model 3), body, restraint systems, battery and motor type.
9 · Check digit2A calculated number that confirms the VIN is valid.
10 · Model yearMThe model year: M is 2021.
11 · Plant codeFThe assembly plant.
12–17 · Serial number123456The unique production number of that vehicle.

Tesla WMI codes

Tesla builds the vehicles it sells in the US in Fremont, California, and Austin, Texas. These are the codes you will see most often:

WMIBuilt inTypical vehicles
5YJUnited StatesModel S, Model X, Model 3 and Model Y
7SAUnited StatesNewer Model Y and Model X
7G2United StatesCybertruck

Source: NHTSA vPIC.

Tesla model year codes

The 10th character shows the model year. The letters I, O, Q, U, Z and the number 0 are never used for the year.

CodeYearCodeYearCodeYear
G2016K2019P2023
H2017L2020R2024
J2018M2021S2025
N2022T2026

Where to find the VIN on a Tesla

Where to find the VIN on a vehicle: on the dashboard by the windshield and on the label inside the driver’s door jamb
The VIN is usually on the dashboard (seen through the windshield) and on the label inside the driver’s door.
  • Dashboard: on the lower corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side. Look through the windshield from outside the vehicle.
  • Driver’s door jamb: on the label on the door pillar, visible when the door is open.
  • Documents: the title, registration and insurance card all list the VIN.

Make sure the VIN on the vehicle matches the VIN on the title. If they are different, do not buy until you know why: it can be a sign of a stolen or rebuilt vehicle.

Popular Tesla models

Pick a model to decode its VIN and see recalls by model year:

  • Tesla Model 3: the compact electric sedan.
  • Tesla Model Y: the electric crossover, built in Fremont and Austin.
  • Tesla Model S: the full-size electric sedan.
  • Tesla Model X: the electric SUV with falcon-wing doors.
  • Tesla Cybertruck: the electric pickup built in Austin, Texas.

Tesla recalls and how to check them

NHTSA lists 90 recall campaigns for the Tesla models on this page. Recalls are issued for specific VINs, so two vehicles of the same model and year can have different results. The repair for a safety recall is free at any Tesla dealer, even if you are not the first owner. Many Tesla recalls are fixed with an over-the-air software update, so the car may not need a service visit, but the recall still appears on the VIN record.

To check a Tesla for recalls, enter its VIN above. If a recall is open, contact a Tesla dealer to book the repair, and ask the seller of a used vehicle for proof that past recalls were completed.

Free VIN decoder vs full vehicle history report

The decoder tells you what the vehicle is. A history report tells you what happened to it.

InformationFree decoderFull history report
Model, year, engine, plantYesYes
Open safety recallsYesYes
Title brands (salvage, flood, rebuilt)NoYes
Odometer readingsNoYes
Accident and damage recordsNoYes
Sales and ownership historyNoYes

If you are about to buy a used Tesla, run a full vehicle history check or see a sample report first.

Buying a used Tesla: what to check

  • The VIN on the dashboard, door jamb and title all match.
  • No open safety recalls, or proof that they were repaired.
  • No salvage, flood or rebuilt title brand.
  • Odometer readings that go up steadily over the years.
  • Ask for the battery health or range estimate at full charge.
  • Check how much of the battery and drive unit warranty is left.
  • Ask which paid software features, such as Full Self-Driving, will stay with the car after the sale.
  • A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic.

Tesla VIN FAQs

How do I decode a Tesla VIN?

Type the 17-character VIN into the box at the top of this page and select Decode VIN. We read the manufacturer, model, engine and year codes and match them to NHTSA data.

Is the Tesla VIN decoder free?

Yes. Decoding the specs and checking for open recalls is free and does not require an account. A full vehicle history report is a separate paid option.

Can a Tesla VIN show the battery or motor?

Yes. Tesla encodes the battery and motor type in the vehicle descriptor section, so the decoder can show whether a Model 3 or Model Y is single motor or dual motor.

Which character shows the Tesla model year?

The 10th character. L stands for 2020, P for 2023 and S for 2025.

Does a Tesla VIN show recalls?

Yes. Safety recalls are issued by VIN, so checking the exact VIN tells you whether a recall applies to that vehicle and whether it is still open.

Do Tesla recalls always need a service visit?

No. Many Tesla recalls are fixed with an over-the-air software update. Some still need a service visit, so check each open recall on the VIN.

VIN decoder for other makes

Choose another brand to decode its VIN and see recalls by model.

Source: NHTSA public data, updated October 8, 2026. HistoryByVIN is not affiliated with Tesla. Tesla and the Tesla logo are trademarks of their owner.