What does each character in a VIN mean?

Characters 1-3 = Manufacturer (WMI), 4-9 = Vehicle attributes (VDS), 10 = Model year, 11 = Plant code, 12-17 = Serial number.

How do I check if a VIN is valid?

A valid VIN is exactly 17 characters, doesn't contain I, O, or Q, and passes the check digit verification at position 9.

Can I check for open recalls with a VIN?

Yes, our decoder checks US NHTSA recall data. Canadian buyers should also check Transport Canada.

What information can I get from a VIN?

Manufacturer, make, model year, country of origin, engine type, body style, plant code, and recall history.

Is VIN decoding free?

Yes, our VIN decoder is completely free. No sign-up, no limits, no hidden fees.

Can I decode a 16-character VIN?

No, vehicles manufactured after 1981 use 17-character VINs. Older vehicles may have shorter VINs.

Used-car first screen

VIN listing match checker

Paste a seller listing and enter the VIN to catch obvious year, make, model or odometer red flags before you spend money on a history report, inspection, deposit or travel.

Direct answer

A VIN listing match can catch obvious mismatches between the seller listing and decoded VIN signals such as model year, make and model. It cannot prove clean title, ownership, lien status, accident history, odometer accuracy or completed recalls. Use it as a first screen, then confirm the physical VIN, paperwork, recall sources, vehicle history and inspection.

Scope: US and Canada used-car listing first screen; NHTSA decode signals are useful for identity checks; Canadian buyers still need Transport Canada and local paperwork checks.
Next action: Resolve mismatches before reports, deposits or travel; Copy or print the result, then verify title/history, recalls, seller authority and inspection.
Not a substitute for: Title, lien, accident, theft, odometer or inspection records; A matching VIN makes the listing plausible; it does not make the transaction safe.

NHTSA vPIC Decoded Verification Stream

Listing details

1-Click Sample Listing Scenarios:

VIN

Listed yearListed makeListed model

Odometer, if listedSeller listing text

Match result

No obvious listing mismatch

Identity Consistency100/100Specs match only; excludes title/liens

VIN check digit

The VIN format and position-9 check digit pass the local validation check.

Model year match

Listing year 2003 matches the decoded model-year code.

Make match

Listing make honda matches the decoded make signal.

Model and trim

Model, trim and engine fields can be blank or ambiguous in VIN datasets; compare registration and service records.

Odometer proof

VIN decoding does not verify mileage. Compare the listing, dashboard, service records and history report.

Recall and lien limits

A listing match is only a first screen. Check NHTSA, Transport Canada, the manufacturer, lien/title records and an inspection before buying.

Listing Red Flags & Mismatch Triage Matrix

How to triage discrepancies between marketplace ads (Kijiji, AutoTrader, Facebook Marketplace) and decoded vehicle signals before putting down a deposit.

Curbsider & Scam Defense

Signal Mismatch	Risk Level	Probable Scenario	Immediate Action Required
Invalid Check Digit (9th Char)	CRITICAL STOP	Fabricated or cloned VIN. Seller transposed characters intentionally or created a fake identity number.	Do not wire money or travel. Request a clear photo of the dashboard VIN plate and driver door jamb B-pillar sticker.
Model Year Discrepancy (10th Char)	HIGH RISK	Common seller deception: advertising a 2013 vehicle as a 2015 to inflate asking price by $3,000–$5,000, or curbsider bait-and-switch.	Verify the vehicle ownership registration permit (UVIP in ON) before test-driving. Never accept seller excuses like "first registered in 2015".
Make or Model Mismatch	CRITICAL STOP	Stolen VIN harvested from another clean listing, or template copy-paste fraud to bypass marketplace safety checks.	Cease all communications. Report the marketplace listing. Do not reveal personal information or meet the seller.
Severe Odometer Anomaly (<5k km/yr)	CAUTION / AUDIT	Possible digital cluster rollback, swapped instrument cluster, or long unrecorded non-operational period.	Inspect CARFAX/UVIP historical mileage stamps sequentially. Cross-reference oil change window stickers and tire date codes (DOT).
Unrepaired Safety Recalls	ACTION ITEM	Manufacturer defect (airbag inflators, steering shafts, fuel pumps) never completed at an authorized dealer.	Safety recalls are fixed free of charge by authorized franchise dealers. Demand proof of remedy or book appointment prior to purchase.

Free VIN check USADecode, match the listing and route title/history questions.VIN check vs CARFAXDecide when a paid history report is worth buying.NHTSA recall checkUse official US recall context before dealer follow-up.Title check by VINUse NMVTIS, state records and seller paperwork.Title check by stateRoute DMV/title agency, NMVTIS and transfer-rule checks.Used-car scam checkPause on VIN gaps, title mismatch and deposit pressure.Odometer rollbackCompare mileage claims with records over time.Salvage title checkLook for title brands before payment.Private-sale checklistPaperwork, recall, lien, inspection and payment steps.VIN mismatch scam checkWhat to pause when VINs or seller claims conflict.Ontario UVIP checklistMatch UVIP details to the vehicle and listing.Ontario bill of saleBuyer, seller, VIN, price, date and signatures.

Methodology and assumptions

VIN format and check digit are validated locally using the shared usecos VIN engine.
NHTSA vPIC is used for live manufacturer-submitted decode signals where available.
Listing year, make and model are compared against decoded signals and pasted text.
Recall results are US NHTSA context only; Canadian buyers should also check Transport Canada and the manufacturer.

Important limits

Does not verify title, lien, accident, theft, import, registration or odometer history.
Does not inspect photos, seller identity, payment safety or marketplace fraud risk.
Does not prove that recall repairs were completed or that a Canadian campaign is absent.
Manufacturer-submitted decode fields may be blank, incomplete or ambiguous for some vehicles.

Official sources and next checks

NHTSA vPIC APIManufacturer-submitted decode data and API documentation.NHTSA recallsUS recall context by VIN or vehicle.Transport Canada recallsCanadian recalls, defect complaints and manufacturer lookup links.Manufacturer recall lookup listOfficial list of manufacturer contact and VIN lookup pages.