VIN Decoder Guide: How to Read a Vehicle Identification Number (ISO 3779)

What is a VIN?

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-character code that uniquely identifies every motor vehicle. Since 1981, all vehicles sold in North America follow the ISO 3779 standard.

How to Read a VIN (17 Characters)

Position	Section	What It Tells You
1-3	WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier)	Country of origin + manufacturer. 1HG = Honda USA, 2HM = Hyundai Canada, WBA = BMW Germany
4-8	VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section)	Model, body style, engine type, restraint system
9	Check Digit	Mathematical validation — confirms the VIN is genuine
10	Model Year	R = 1994, Y = 2000, L = 2020, N = 2022, P = 2023, R = 2024, S = 2025, T = 2026
11	Plant Code	Which factory assembled the vehicle
12-17	Serial Number	Unique production sequence for that vehicle

Why Check the Check Digit?

The 9th character is a mathematical checksum. If someone alters a VIN, the check digit won't match — a red flag for fraud. Our VIN Decoder validates this automatically.

VIN Lookup for Used Car Buyers

Before buying a used car in Canada or the US, always:

1. Decode the VIN — verify the manufacturer, model year, and country of origin match the seller's claims.
2. Check for recalls — our decoder cross-references NHTSA safety recall data automatically.
3. Verify the check digit — a failed check digit means the VIN may be tampered with.

Common VIN Prefixes for Canadian Buyers

WMI	Manufacturer	Country
1G1, 1G3, 1GC	General Motors (Chevrolet, GMC)	USA
1FA, 1FD	Ford Motor Company	USA
2HM, 2HG	Honda Canada	Canada
2T1, 2T2	Toyota Canada	Canada
3VW	Volkswagen Mexico	Mexico
JTD, JTE	Toyota Japan	Japan
WBA, WBS	BMW	Germany
WAU	Audi	Germany
VF1, VF3	Renault	France
YV1	Volvo	Sweden

Free VIN Decoder — No Data Stored

Use our free VIN decoder to decode any 17-character VIN instantly. Supports 200+ manufacturers, validates the check digit, and checks NHTSA recalls — all in your browser with no data stored.