Free VIN decoder
Every car sold in Canada and the USA since 1981 has a 17-character Vehicle Identification Number. Enter it below to see how the vehicle left the factory and whether its model has open safety recalls.
0/17 characters · VINs never contain I, O or Q.
Where to find the VIN
- On the driver-side dashboard, visible through the bottom of the windshield.
- On the sticker inside the driver's door jamb.
- On the vehicle registration, ownership (in Canada) or title (in the USA), and insurance documents.
What the 17 characters mean
Characters 1–3 identify the manufacturer and country (1, 4 and 5 are the USA, 2 is Canada, 3 is Mexico). Characters 4–8 describe the model, body and engine. Character 9 is a check digit that catches typos, character 10 encodes the model year, character 11 the assembly plant, and the last six are the serial number.
Is decoding a VIN the same as a history report?
No. A decode shows factory specifications. Accident, lien and odometer history come from paid reports such as CARFAX Canada or AutoCheck/CARFAX in the US, and lien checks from your provincial registry.