Free Tesla VIN Decoder & Lookup

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5 min read

Why Choose EpicVIN's Tesla VIN Decoder?

  1. 2M+ Tesla VINs decoded nationwide – EpicVIN covers virtually every Tesla on U.S. roads. This total aligns with the 2.03 million-vehicle Autopilot safety recall announced by NHTSA.
  2. 10M+ historical auction & insurance photos – Review high-resolution pictures from Copart, IAA, and insurer archives. Spot hidden battery, frame, or hail damage.
  3. 1,800+ Autopilot-linked crash reports on record – NHTSA data show Tesla accounts for the vast majority of Level-2 ADAS crashes. Checking a VIN helps you avoid cars tied to serious incidents.
  4. NMVTIS-approved & 100% no-cost – EpicVIN is an official NMVTIS provider. It delivers instant title-brand, lien, and odometer data with zero hidden fees.

What is a Tesla VIN and Why Decode It?

Every Tesla vehicle features a unique 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN). It contains crucial manufacturing information. Our VIN decoder instantly translates each digit. Users can determine car authenticity, check specs, and uncover hidden history. Invalid VIN entries are rejected immediately, while invalid sequences trigger error messages to prevent data corruption.

How to Decode a Tesla VIN Number?

Getting your Tesla's complete history is simple with our decoder system.

Find Your VIN
Enter the VIN
Click “Decode VIN free”
Review the Results

Find Your VIN

Locate your 17-character VIN on the windshield, driver door label, or Tesla site registration.

Enter the VIN

Type the sequence number into our search box for instant decoding.

Click “Decode VIN free”

Our decoder processes the VIN entered data within seconds.

Review the Results

Examine the basic specs, then upgrade for full accident and title history to get accurate information.

Popular Tesla Models for VIN Check

How to Find a Tesla VIN?

How to Find a VIN?

Your Tesla VIN is located in several key areas for easy reference and verification.

  • Dashboard – Look through the windshield on the driver's side, where the VIN label is clearly visible against the dashboard.
  • Driver Door Frame – Check the door jamb sticker containing VIN, manufacture date, and other vehicle identification details.
  • Vehicle Registration – Your state-issued registration card displays the complete VIN for official documentation.
  • Tesla Mobile App – Access your VIN through the vehicle settings menu in your Tesla account.
  • Charging Port – Some Tesla models display a VIN label inside the charging port compartment, often near the charging pods where electrical pods connect.

Tesla Risk Statistics for Used Cars

Risk Factor Percentage
Accident History Share ≈ 28% of EpicVIN Tesla reports contain ≥ 1 damage record
Salvage/Rebuild Title ≈ 24% of all Tesla vehicles listed on Copart have salvage or non-repairable status (1,113 of 4,667 lots sampled)
Average Mileage ≈ 105,000 miles for Tesla vehicles older than 10 years. Model 3 and Y typically accumulate ~11,000–12,000 miles annually, while Model S averages ~8,300 miles
Active Recall Campaigns 2025 During the first 3 months of 2025, Tesla initiated 3 major campaigns affecting ≈ 661,000 vehicles: 239k rear camera failures (Jan 10), 376k power steering issues (Feb 21), 46k Cybertruck trim detachment (Mar 20)

Top 3 Common Tesla Failures

Failure Type Statistics and Problem Details
Central Touchscreen Failure (MCU) In 2021, Tesla recalled ≈ 135,000 Model S (2012-2018) and Model X (2016-2018) due to 8GB eMMC memory degradation. Screens were disabled, eliminating rearview camera access, climate control, and audio alerts.
Weak Suspension/Steering Arms Between January 2021 and March 2022, the company replaced ≈ 120,000 upper suspension arms. It was due to premature corrosion and failures. Documented cases included wheel detachment and loss of control even below 15,000 miles.
Autopilot "Phantom" Braking Since 2022, the NHTSA has investigated sudden unintended braking incidents. A class-action lawsuit approved by a Chicago court in November 2024 affects 2016-2024 Model S/X/3/Y vehicles. 2.4 million cars have been affected.

How to Read a Tesla VIN Number

VIN Description

Each letter and digit tells a specific story. Here's the standard VIN format, uncovering the car's production specs:

  • WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier - Positions 1-3) : WMI showing vehicle manufacturer and country of origin.
  • VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section - Positions 4-9) : VDS indicating body style, battery type, specific details, and check digit based on a mathematical formula for VIN validation.
  • VIS (Vehicle Identifier Section - Digits 10-17) : Model year designation, assembly plant code showing where car production typically started, and sequence number.

Here's a sample sequence for our Tesla VIN decoder to interpret (5YJSA1E25MF001234) :

Symbols Sample What It Reveals
1 5 The USA as the country of manufacture
2 Y Tesla as a manufacturer
3 J Passenger car vehicle type
4-8 SA1E2 Model S body type, long-range battery size, dual motor/chassis configuration, and restraint system
9 5 Check digit for validation
10 M 2021 model year (year digit)
11 F Fremont, California assembly plant
12-17 001234 Individual vehicle sequence number

What Information Can You Get from a Tesla VIN Number?

Results for VIN Decoding for
VIN# 5YJSA1E40GF145137

2016 TESLA Model S

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2016 TESLA Model S
  • Odometer

    No problems

  • Safety Recalls

    13 record

  • Accidents

    1 problem

  • Last mileage

    148,156 km

  • Auction Sales

    3 sales found

  • Owners

    2+ owners found

  • Year

    Year 2016

  • Make

    Make Tesla

  • Model

    Model Model S

  • Fuel Type

    Fuel Type Electric

  • Engine

    Engine

  • Made in

    Made in USA

Our Tesla VIN decoder reveals comprehensive car information from the sequence. We value complete accuracy in every report.

  • Model year & exact trim – Identifies Performance, long range, Standard Range variants, and refresh versions.
  • Battery and motor codes – Highlights single vs dual motor setup, battery structure, and electric drivetrain specs.
  • Body style & platform – Identifies sedan (Model S), SUV (Model X), crossover (Model 3/Y), or truck (Cybertruck).
  • Assembly plant & country – Lists Fremont (USA), Shanghai (China), Berlin (Germany), or Austin locations.
  • Original market destination – Indicates USA, China, Germany, UK, or other regional specifications.
  • Safety equipment profile – Details airbag configuration, knee airbags, side inflatable restraints, and front airbags.
  • Production date range – Confirms when manufacturing typically started and ended for specific model batches.
  • Sequential production number – Verifies build slot and prevents VIN cloning or errors.
Before you snap up a used Tesla, drop the VIN into EpicVIN first. In seconds, you'll see the original build specs, mileage rollbacks, Autopilot- or battery-pack-related recalls, and any salvage or lien issues—solid facts that can save you a fortune. Alex Black, CMO & auto expert, EpicVIN

Useful Resources for Tesla and Safety

Get Your Complete Tesla Vehicle History Today

Don't let hidden problems cost you thousands. Our results include accident history, mileage verification, title issues, auction photos, and much more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. EpicVIN lets you run a basic Tesla VIN decode at no cost—you'll see build information, such as model (Model 3, Y, S, X, or Cybertruck), trim, motor type, and plant location. You pay only for the full report.

Our VIN decoder reads virtually every Tesla. This includes Model S sedans, Model X SUVs, Model 3, and Model Y crossovers. Roadsters and Cybertrucks can also be analyzed. Our VIN decoder can process any VIN with a standard format.

Enter the VIN in EpicVIN; review the "Recalls" section. We query NHTSA in real time, so open campaigns show up with recall numbers.

Yes. Specific characters reveal motor count (single vs dual motor), battery architecture, and build plant. EpicVIN's full report confirms the exact battery size and hardware version.

We sync daily with DMV records, NMVTIS, auctions, and Tesla recall feeds. New VINs appear in our system within 24 hours. Contact our support team for assistance or contact us for premium report options.

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