Free VIN decoder
VIN check
A VIN is a car's 17-character fingerprint. Our free decoder shows the maker, where it was built and the year code; the Full Check confirms the VIN on record matches the car.
Find the VIN at the bottom of the windscreen, on the driver's door pillar and on the V5C logbook.
Reading a VIN
What the 17 characters mean
| Characters | Name | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | World manufacturer identifier | The maker and country (WF0 = Ford Germany) |
| 4–9 | Vehicle descriptor | Model, body and engine codes, set by the maker |
| 10 | Model year | Required in North America; often 0 or unused in Europe |
| 11 | Plant | The factory |
| 12–17 | Serial number | Unique to the car |
Cloning
Use the VIN to spot a cloned car
- 1
Find it in three places
The bottom of the windscreen, the driver's door pillar or under the bonnet, and the V5C logbook.
- 2
Make sure all three match
Any difference, or signs of tampering around the plate, and walk away.
- 3
Match it to the record
Our Full Check shows the last characters of the VIN on record, so you can match them to the car.
Questions
VIN check questions
Where is the VIN on a car?
Usually at the bottom of the windscreen on the passenger side, on the driver's door pillar, and on the V5C logbook.
Can I check a car's history by VIN?
Car history checks in the UK use the registration. The Full Check confirms the VIN on record so you can match it to the car.
Keep checking
Related checks
Check a car now. It's free.
MOT history, mileage record, ULEZ, tax and recalls on any UK car, in seconds. No sign-up, no card.