Check digits / Vehicles
VIN Decoder: Check Digit, Model Year, and Region
Check a 17-character vehicle identification number for typing mistakes with the check digit, find the model year and the region or country of manufacture, and see what each part of the VIN means.
VIN Decoder: Check Digit, Model Year, and Region: Each character gets a value, letters from a fixed table, and each position a weight; the weighted sum divided by 11 gives the check digit in position 9, with X for 10. 1M8GDM9AXKP042788 passes with X. Position 10 is the model year, a code that repeats every 30 years (K is 1989 or 2019), and the first character is the region: 1, 4, and 5 for the United States, J for Japan, W for Germany. Runs 100% locally in your browser with zero server file uploads.
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| Positions | Characters | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | 1M8 | World manufacturer identifier: country and maker |
| 4–8 | GDM9A | Vehicle attributes: model, body, engine, chosen by the maker |
| 9 | X | Check digit |
| 10 | K | Model year code |
| 11 | P | Assembly plant |
| 12–17 | 042788 | Serial number |
Every character has a value (letters by a fixed table), each position a weight, and the weighted sum divided by 11 leaves the check digit, with X for 10. It is required in North America and China and catches most typing mistakes. The year code in position 10 repeats every 30 years; for North American cars, a letter in position 7 means 2010 or later. The maker's own codes in positions 4 to 8 are not decoded here, as every manufacturer sets its own.
Letters that are never used
I, O, and Q never appear in a VIN, so they cannot be mistaken for 1 and 0. A VIN with one of them has been mistyped.
Where to find it
The VIN is on a plate at the bottom of the windscreen on the driver's side, on the door pillar, and on the registration and insurance documents; they should all match. Checking it before buying a used car guards against typing mistakes in history reports.
How to use it
- Type or paste the VIN from the dashboard, door pillar, or registration document.
- Read whether the check digit matches and the model year.
- See the region and the meaning of each group of characters.
Privacy & limitations
Decoded in your browser; nothing is looked up online.
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Frequently asked questions
Why doesn't my European VIN pass the check digit?
The check digit is required in North America and China; many European and Asian makers use position 9 for their own codes instead.
Why are there two possible model years?
The year codes repeat every 30 years. For North American cars and light trucks, a letter in position 7 marks the later cycle; elsewhere, the vehicle itself tells you which.
Can it tell me the make and model?
It shows the manufacturer code, but makers set their own meanings for positions 4 to 8, so a full decode needs the maker's or a government database.
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