VIN Lookup
Enter a car's 17-character VIN to confirm its exact model year, make, model, engine and trim with NHTSA's free decoder. If we cover that model year, its reliability report opens right below.
What a VIN Tells You
A VIN, or vehicle identification number, is a 17-character code that belongs to one car only. It never uses the letters I, O or Q, so they cannot be mistaken for 1 and 0. Each position has a job:
| Position | What it is | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Manufacturer | Who made the car and where. 1HG, for example, is Honda in the United States. |
| 4 to 8 | Vehicle description | The model, body style, engine and safety equipment, in the maker's own codes. |
| 9 | Check digit | A number worked out from the other 16 characters, so a typing mistake shows up. |
| 10 | Model year | A letter or number for the year. E is 2014, F is 2015 and G is 2016, for example. |
| 11 | Assembly plant | The factory that put the car together. |
| 12 to 17 | Serial number | The number of this one car on the production line. |
Where to Find the VIN
On the dashboard
At the bottom of the windshield on the driver's side. You can read it from outside the car.
In the driver's door frame
On a label in the door frame, which you see when you open the driver's door.
On the paperwork
The title, the registration and the insurance card all show it. Check that they match the car.
What This Tool Shows
- The model year, make, model, trim, body, drive, engine, fuel, transmission and assembly plant, as NHTSA's decoder returns them.
- Our report for that model year, if we cover it: the reliability score, the problems owners report most, recalls and warranty extensions.
- A check that the VIN's year code matches what NHTSA returns. If they disagree, we stop rather than guess the model year.
What It Does Not Show
- Whether the recalls on this car were repaired. Enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or ask a dealer.
- Accidents, title brands such as salvage or flood, and odometer records. Those come from a vehicle history report. The federal title database lists approved providers at vehiclehistory.gov.
- Whether a warranty extension covers this car. A dealer of that brand can check by VIN.
What to Do Next
Check a Model Year →Open the full report for one year: score, the problems owners report, recalls, coverage and crash ratings.Compare Model Years →Put up to four model years side by side and see which one is more reliable.Find Warranty Extensions →Repairs the automaker may still pay for after the factory warranty ends, with its own documents.Look Up a VIN →Confirm the exact model year, engine and trim of the car you are looking at.