VIN Decoder & Check-Digit Validator
Decode a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number: validate the check digit, find the manufacturer and country from the WMI, and the model year.
How to use
- 1Enter the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard by the windshield, the door jamb or your registration).
- 2See whether the check digit is valid and what the VIN reveals.
How it's calculated
Check digit (position 9): each character's value × its position weight, summed, mod 11 (10 = X). Position 10 encodes the model year; positions 1–3 are the World Manufacturer Identifier.
Frequently asked questions
Can this tell me accident or ownership history?
No — a VIN decode shows what's encoded in the number. History reports come from paid services such as Carfax or official checks (e.g. NMVTIS in the US, MOT history in the UK).
Why is the check digit 'not applicable'?
The check digit is mandatory for North American vehicles; many European and Asian VINs don't use it.
Why can't a VIN contain I, O or Q?
They're excluded to avoid confusion with 1 and 0.