Free VIN decoder
Enter a 17-character VIN to see exactly how that vehicle left the factory: year, make, model, engine, drivetrain, assembly plant and safety equipment. Free, no account, from official NHTSA data.
Where to find the VIN
- Base of the windshield on the driver's side, read from outside the car.
- The sticker inside the driver's door jamb.
- Your registration document, insurance card or the vehicle title.
A VIN is always 17 characters and never contains the letters I, O or Q. If you have typed one of those, it is almost certainly a 1 or a zero.
Common questions
What is a VIN?
A Vehicle Identification Number is the unique 17-character code every road vehicle built since 1981 carries. It encodes the manufacturer, the factory build specification and a serial number, so no two vehicles share one.
Where do I find my VIN?
Look at the base of the windshield on the driver's side, visible from outside the car. It is also on the driver's door jamb sticker, your registration document, your insurance card and the vehicle title.
Is this VIN decoder free?
Yes, completely, with no account needed. It reads the public vPIC database published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is official US government data.
Why do VINs never contain I, O or Q?
Those three letters are excluded across the whole standard because they are too easily confused with the numbers 1 and 0. If you have typed an I or an O, it is almost certainly a 1 or a zero.
Does a VIN decode show accidents, salvage titles or mileage?
No. Decoding a VIN returns how the vehicle left the factory. It cannot tell you what happened afterwards. Title brands, salvage and junk records, theft records and odometer readings live in a separate national database called NMVTIS and are only available through a paid vehicle history report.
Can a VIN decoder tell me the exact options on my car?
Partly. NHTSA data covers the build specification such as engine, drivetrain, body style and factory safety equipment. It does not list every dealer-fitted option or trim package, and some manufacturers report more detail than others.
Registering this car?
If you have just bought it, you have a limited window to title and register it, and the DMV appointment is usually the slow part.
Data from the NHTSA vPIC database, a public service of the US Department of Transportation. Decoded specifications reflect the factory build record and may not account for later modifications. Always verify a vehicle in person before buying.