Validation report
VIN Decoder Validation Report
A permanent test report for the usecos.app VIN decoder covering 17-character validation, check-digit math, model-year decoding, local WMI lookup, and NHTSA vPIC attributes.
Verified on 2026-07-29. The report validates decoding, not accident history, lien status, ownership, odometer accuracy, or Canadian recall completeness.
Direct answer
Across 12 published VIN cases, 12 passed local check-digit, model-year, and NHTSA vPIC attribute checks. The tool is suitable for free VIN specification and US recall screening, but it is not a Canadian vehicle-history report.
Published validation cases
| Case | VIN | Make / model | Year | Plant country | Check digit | NHTSA | Pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIN-01 | 1HGCM82633A004352 | HONDA Accord | 2003 | UNITED STATES (USA) | 3 | 0 | Pass |
| VIN-02 | 2T1BURHE4JC034340 | TOYOTA Corolla | 2018 | CANADA | 4 | 0 | Pass |
| VIN-03 | 5YJ3E1EA2KF317000 | TESLA Model 3 | 2019 | UNITED STATES (USA) | 2 | 0 | Pass |
| VIN-04 | 1FTFW1ET3EKE12345 | FORD F-150 | 2014 | UNITED STATES (USA) | 3 | 0 | Pass |
| VIN-05 | 1GNSKCKCXFR123456 | CHEVROLET Tahoe | 2015 | UNITED STATES (USA) | X | 0 | Pass |
| VIN-06 | WBA3A5C50DF123456 | BMW 328i | 2013 | GERMANY | 0 | 0 | Pass |
| VIN-07 | JM1BL1V78C1500000 | MAZDA Mazda3 | 2012 | JAPAN | 8 | 0 | Pass |
| VIN-08 | 3VWLL7AJ5CM000000 | VOLKSWAGEN Jetta | 2012 | MEXICO | 5 | 0 | Pass |
| VIN-09 | KL4CJASB9KB123456 | BUICK Encore | 2019 | SOUTH KOREA | 9 | 0 | Pass |
| VIN-10 | 3FA6P0H78HR123456 | FORD Fusion | 2017 | MEXICO | 8 | 0 | Pass |
| VIN-11 | JF2SJABC9GH123456 | SUBARU Forester | 2016 | JAPAN | 9 | 0 | Pass |
| VIN-12 | 5NPE24AF1FH123456 | HYUNDAI Sonata | 2015 | UNITED STATES (USA) | 1 | 0 | Pass |
What is validated
Local VIN math
The local engine verifies VIN length, rejects I/O/Q, applies the standard transliteration table and 17-position weight sequence, checks the ninth-position digit, and decodes the tenth-position model year.
NHTSA attributes
NHTSA vPIC provides make, model, body class, vehicle type, plant country, and other specification fields. Missing fields mean NHTSA has no value for that variable, not that the vehicle lacks the feature.
Formula and test code
sum = Σ(transliterated VIN character value × position weight) expectedCheckDigit = sum % 11 if expectedCheckDigit == 10, the check digit is "X"
Test cases and NHTSA attribute snapshots live in lib/vin-validation-report.ts. The regression suite verifies every published VIN passes the local check-digit engine, model-year decoder, and documented NHTSA attribute checks.
Recall and history limitations
- The usecos.app VIN tool is not a full vehicle-history service.
- It does not prove accident history, lien status, ownership, import status, odometer accuracy, or insurance claims.
- Automated recall results are US NHTSA-focused; Canadian shoppers should also check Transport Canada and manufacturer recall pages.
- Recall status can change after this report date.
Sources and verification
Verified July 29, 2026 against the standard VIN check-digit formula and NHTSA vPIC DecodeVINValuesBatch output captured for the rows above.