Free VIN Decoder & Lookup – Car VIN Number Search

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VIN decoder

by Robert P Allred

Updated 14 Oct 2025 5 min read

Why Choose EpicVIN's VIN Decoder?

1B+ analyzed VINs across all U.S. states – EpicVIN's tool is backed by one of the largest repositories, updated daily.
5B+ historical auction photos available – See real images from past auctions to uncover hidden risks.
NMVTIS-approved and government-integrated – Official provider with direct access to registration info.
100% No-cost – Our decoder has no hidden fees or limitations. Get results instantly.

EpicVIN provides the most up-to-date vehicle data on the market Robert P. Allred, auto expert

How to Use EpicVIN's Free VIN Decoder

Using the EpicVIN decoder is simple. Follow these steps and learn how to interpret a particular sequence:

Enter all 17 characters in the search field

Find your VIN

Locate the 17 characters on your vehicle or documents.

Enter the Sequence

Enter the vehicle ID number into EpicVIN’s decoder.

Click "Decode VIN"

Click the button to start the analysis.

Get results

View the car's detailed information instantly. EpicVIN cross-checks your sequence against 500M+ records, providing accurate information at no cost.

Select a Vehicle Make to Review

Nissan

Yamaha

What is a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)?

A vehicle identification number (VIN) is a unique 17-character sequence. It's assigned to every car, truck, or motorcycle. The VIN is like the automobile's fingerprint. In the United States, the standardized 17-symbol VIN has been mandatory for all vehicles since 1981, according to NHTSA regulations. The sequence uses only numbers and capital letters. I, O, and Q aren't included to avoid errors. This sequence is used in official registries, such as DMV repositories.

How is a sequence structured?

The alphanumeric sequence is divided into three main sections:

WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier) - Positions 1-3: According to the NHTSA, these symbols are the WMI and show where the vehicle was manufactured. The first symbol shows the origin. Positions 2-3 identify the specific manufacturer. See the full list of country designations in our VIN Country Codes guide.

WMI	Region	Notes
A-H	Africa	AA-AH = South Africa
J-R	Asia	J = Japan KL-KR = South Korea L = China MA-ME = India MF-MK = Indonesia ML-MR = Thailand MS = Myanmar PA-PE = Philippines PL-PR = Malaysia RF-RG = Taiwan
S-Z	Europe	SA-SM = United Kingdom SN-ST, W = Germany SU-SZ = Poland TA-TH = Switzerland TJ-TP = Czech Republic TR-TV = Hungary TW = Portugal VA-VE = Austria VF-VR = France VS-VW = Spain VX-V2 = Yugoslavia XL-XM = The Netherlands XS-XW = USSR X3-X0 = Russia YA-YE = Belgium YF-YK = Finland YS-YW = Sweden ZA-ZR = Italy
1-5	North America	1, 4, 5 = United States 2 = Canada 3 = Mexico
6-7	Oceania	6A-6W = Australia 7A-7E = New Zealand
8-0	South America	8A-8E = Argentina 8F-8J = Chile 8X-82 = Venezuela 9A-9E, 93-99 = Brazil 9F-9J = Colombia

VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section) - Positions 4-9: This section describes the model, motor size, year, and specific pieces of information. The 9th symbol is a check digit for verification, calculated using a specific algorithm to detect errors.

Model Year Codes

Code	Year	Code	Year	Code	Year	Code	Year
A	1980	L	1990	Y	2000	A	2010
B	1981	M	1991	1	2001	B	2011
C	1982	N	1992	2	2002	C	2012
D	1983	P	1993	3	2003	D	2013
E	1984	R	1994	4	2004	E	2014
F	1985	S	1995	5	2005	F	2015
G	1986	T	1996	6	2006	G	2016
H	1987	V	1997	7	2007	H	2017
J	1988	W	1998	8	2008	J	2018
K	1989	X	1999	9	2009	K	2019

VIS (Vehicle Identifier Section) - Positions 10-17: Contains year (10th symbol), plant assembled location (11th digit), and unique serial sequence (positions 12-17). Each manufacturer uses different sequences for identifying the assembly factory.

Symbols	Sample	What It Reveals
1st	1	Production country (1 means the United States)
2nd-3rd	FT	Manufacturer (F means Ford Inc.)
4th-8th	GHDLZ	Brand, engine size, and type
9th	B	Security verification symbol
10th	G	Year information
11th	K	Assembly plant location
12th-17th	456923	Unique sequence

Vehicles manufactured before 1981 may have shorter vehicle IDs.

Where Do I Find the VIN in My Car?

You can find a VIN in several places. Where to find it depends on the car type:

On cars/trucks: The dashboard on the driver's side or door jamb sticker (the driver's side). The VIN is also often stamped on the engine or inside the hood area.
On motorcycles/ATVs: Located on the frame - usually on the steering column or stamped on the motor block.
In documents: On the title paperwork and dealership documentation. Ensure the sequence in documents matches the actual one.

If the sequence is unreadable, use License Plate Lookup as an additional method to find vehicle information.

Why Decode a VIN Number?

The decoding process is important for buying a car. The benefits of this analysis include verifying authenticity and ensuring safety. Consider these key advantages:

✅ Verification: Confirm authenticity and prevent fraud when looking for used car history.

✅ Safety: Find safety campaigns through official production references.

✅ Specifications: Understand vital facts, including the year, engine, transmission, and origin for maintenance.

✅ History Access: se a free VIN lookup to get a comprehensive history report for complete background information..

Cars damaged in floods or crashes can hide unsafe parts - always run a VIN search first. David Glawe, NICB

Used Cars Can Hide Damage – Real EpicVIN Data

Buying a used car without verifying the history is risky – our accident car statistics prove it. Hidden damage in used cars presents serious risks that basic inspections miss. This is exactly why you should track the auto's history before purchasing.

🚨 EpicVIN Statistics:

38.3% of automobiles in our repository had accidents
3.5% had odometer discrepancies indicating possible fraud
9.5% were marked as salvage cars
1.9% showed evidence of flood history

👉 These risks aren't visible with a basic review. Only a detailed analysis shows complete details.

Based on 10M+ sequences analyzed from EpicVIN's proprietary database in 2024.

Nearly 1 in 5 used vehicles we analyze turn out to be salvage or rebuilt — and buyers have no idea until it's too late. Alex Black, EpicVIN CMO.

Get Full Report Now

What Information Can You Obtain from a VIN Number?

A VIN decoder reveals essential vehicle specs and production details:

2012 HYUNDAI Genesis

Odometer

No problems
Safety Recalls

2 record
Accidents

1 problem
Last mileage

241,271 km
Auction Sales

1 sale found
Owners

2+ owners found

Year 2012
Make HYUNDAI
Model Genesis
Fuel Type Gasoline
Engine 5L DOHC GDI TAU
Made in SOUTH KOREA

Basic facts: The brand, make, year, and engine options.
Manufacturing information: Place of origin plus production facility.
Safety: Recall campaigns and known defects.
Ownership: Transparent vehicle history and transfers.

Complete accident history requires a full review.

VIN Decoder vs. Vehicle History Report

A VIN decoder reveals specifications, while a lookup shows the auto's past events. Simple decoding provides basic technical information. A vehicle history report includes ownership changes, crashes, and additional facts. Using both instruments gives complete information – perform the analysis and review history.

Useful Resources and Links

National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) - https://vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov/: An official federal database that helps consumers make informed decisions and prevent fraud.
Wikipedia – Vehicle Id - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_identification_number: Comprehensive encyclopedia entry; explains VIN structure, history, and international standards.
ISO 3779 VIN Standard Overview - https://www.iso.org/standard/52200.html: International standard; defines the format and content requirements.
NICB VINCheck – https://nicb.org/: The National Insurance Crime Bureau's service assists in finding out if a car has been marked as stolen or declared a total loss.
NHTSA Recall Lookup - https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls: An official platform. The source helps identify safety recalls and defect investigations.

VIN Decoder Case Study: How Report Images Revealed Tampering

The case in 60 seconds

A buyer reviewed report photos pulled from service records and auctions. The VIN plates didn’t match: different font weight/spacing, inconsistent mounting angle, and one character differed entirely. Layered with a suspicious state change soon after a police-related flag, the pattern pointed to VIN swapping or cloning. The buyer skipped the deal—no losses, no headaches.

The 5 quick checks before a deposit

Theft/Police + Title/Brand: any hits or branded titles = proceed with extreme caution.
VIN visuals in photos: fonts, characters, and placement must match across images and dates.
Odometer + photos: mileage should rise logically; older photos should match current trim/color.
Timeline: sudden state changes near incident dates are suspicious.
Other risk markers: open recalls, flood/fire indicators, rental/taxi/fleet history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reputable tools apply public or NMVTIS-approved facts, as well as the insurer's records, auction photos, and other legal facts. Always avoid suspicious sites that require early payment without explaining all further operations.

Yes, these checks cross-reference national stolen vehicle sites to indicate if the sequence is associated with theft or cloning. Drivers are aware of whether sequences are cloned or cars are stolen.

Old cars feature abbreviated IDs of 11-13 characters that need expert interpretation. Certain state DMVs mandate police officer verification for these vintage car registrations.

Vehicle IDs enable warranty verification through manufacturer and independent service platforms. These systems reveal original service dates, mileage restrictions, and current powertrain protection status.

Yes. You can enter sequences to pull the factory Monroney label. This includes MSRP and option codes.

Generally, yes. The sequence is visible through the windshield anyway. However, never post documents that link to personal or sensitive data, as this could expose you to identity theft or fraud.

Yes. Look for “commercial, fleet, taxi, or rental use” markers. Check the ownership history section of the full reviews.

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