• Free VIN Decoder

Free VIN Decoder

Free VIN Decoder and Lookup Tool

Every vehicle is assigned a unique vehicle identification number (VIN) when manufactured. This string of characters, when decoded, can reveal vital information about the car, such as its manufacturer, year of production, type of engine, model and more.

Lookup and decode your vehicle identification number for free using VinCheck.info’s free VIN decoder tool. Review important details on any vehicle, no credit card required! We offer a full and thorough report compared to other  services. For free VIN decoding, type the VIN below and click the Decode VIN button:

Enter a 17-Digit VIN:

If you have a shorter VIN, check it again and copy it correctly. If the VIN is less than 17 characters, then it is most likely from a vehicle built in 1981 or earlier. NHTSA required all vehicles manufactured in 1981 to be assigned a 17-digit VIN.

How to Find the Vehicle’s VIN Number?

The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is indicated in vehicle title, registration, and insurance documents. Most, if not all, online marketplaces for cars require sellers to post with the VIN so you can do a VIN lookup quickly.

Here are some common VIN locations on the car:
Where is my vehicle VIN?

  • Under the hood (engine block)
  • Dashboard (near the windshield)l
  • Door frame (left-hand inner wheel arch)
  • Driver’s side door (near door jamb)
  • Some cars may have it on the firewall, steering wheel, and radiator support bracket.

How to Decode the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?

Each vehicle gets a fixed ID number in the production line called VIN. The VIN is a 17-character string of letters and numbers. Decoding the VIN is the most reliable way to get vehicle information. Databases managed by auto makers and US vehicle registration agencies carry the VINs. VinCheck.info works with these entities to update vehicle information into its own database.

Each section of the VIN has a different meaning. It is based on 1979 and 1980 ISO standards. Please refer to the diagram below for the matching value of each character or section.

VIN decoderAccording to the Society of Automotive Engineers, Code of Federal Regulations, the VIN has seven sections describing the following:

  1. where the vehicle was built (1st character)
  2. who made the vehicle (2nd and 3rd characters)
  3. basic description (4th to 8th characters)
  4. whether the VIN was authorized (9th character)
  5. model year (10th character)
  6. where the vehicle was assembled (11th character)
  7. serial number (12th to the 17th characters)

Flexible fuel vehicles can be identified by the 2nd, 3rd and 8th characters.

What Does the VinCheck Decoder Provide and How is it Different from Other Reports?

Get more in-depth information on a vehicle in seconds. VinCheck.info’s free VIN decoder covers a range of critical areas you need to know.

    • country of origin
    • name of the maker
    • engine type and size
    • model year
    • transmission type

Plus (+) our free add-on features:

  • Market value: the estimated average value people are paying for the same car in your area
  • Equipment details:  air conditioning system, mirrors, safety features, tires, and other related items
  • Fuel efficiency: the car’s city and highway mileage per gallon, fuel capacity and type
  • Safety rating: IIHS crash ratings
    • Crash-worthiness is how a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash.
    • Crash avoidance and mitigation refer to technology to prevent a crash or lessen its severity
  • Current warranty: type of coverage and warranty status
  • Recalls and defects: latest recalls, impact on performance and safety, and available remedies

Where Does the Free VIN Decoder Get Information

The VIN serves as the key to the car’s identity and history. It’s the best basis you have for checking claims about any used car offered for sale. Every free VIN lookup by VINCheck.info taps the following reliable sources of vehicle data:

  • Government agencies including highway traffic safety authorities, law enforcement agencies, and motor vehicle departments.
  • Auto industry including manufacturers, junk yards, salvage yards, and car dealerships
  • Insurance companies

What is VIN Cloning

Not all VINs accurately represent a car’s true identity. A car may have a VIN that actually belongs to another car. VIN cloning is a crime that involves replacing the VIN of a stolen car or a car with a bad history with the VIN of another car of the same model and make. Its goal is to misrepresent or hide the identity and history of a car usually offered for sale. First, the factory-installed VIN plate is pried off and then replaced with a legitimate VIN. With fake ownership documents, the car with the cloned VIN can be easily registered in another state.

Here are the red flags that can point to VIN cloning:

  • Price is significantly cheaper compared to cars with similar make and model.
  • VIN plate may show signs of tampering.
  • VIN lookup results and actual vehicle documents may be inconsistent.
  • Vehicle inspection observations are not consistent with documents and VIN decoder findings.

Decode any VIN Number for Free, Any Brand

Check if a car is right for you and uncover any potential safety issues. Run VINCheck.info’s free VIN decoder by clicking on any brand logo below:

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