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- Great Customers Review
- Fast and Accurate
UK VIN Decoder
Don’t risk getting a bad deal; Use our UK VIN Decoder to verify important vehicle details and avoid costly mistakes. View all vehicle specifications and spot mismatched history, accident damages, or mileage discrepancies.
What is a VIN Number?
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique identifier assigned to every vehicle during manufacture. It was introduced in the 20th century to track vehicles, but the format varied in length from 5 to 14 digits until 1981.
1981 came with the standardization of the VIN, and with the new structure, the VIN became 17 characters long. It can be decoded to learn about all vehicle specifications, vehicle engine type, place of manufacture, model year, and even history records.
Where is the VIN number on a Car?
The VIN number can typically be found in a few locations on a vehicle, including:
- On the dashboard: Look through the windshield at the driver’s side corner of the dashboard.
- On the driver’s side door frame: Open the door, and the VIN is usually located on the door frame or door pillar.
- Under the bonnet: Some vehicles have the VIN stamped on the front of the engine bay.
- The front end of the frame – on older vehicles, it’s often located on the inner front wheel arch.
- V5C Logbook: The VIN can also be found on the V5C logbook or any other vehicle documentation.
What is a UK VIN Decoder?
A UK VIN decoder simply takes the VIN and decodes every information encrypted within the characters of a VIN number. It’s very easy to use, straightforward and with Smart Car Check, this tool is free to use.
With a UK VIN decoder, you can obtain detailed insights into the vehicle, including the make, model, engine type, engine specifications, and more. This makes it easier to verify the specifications of a new or used car before making a purchase.
How to Decode a UK VIN Number?
To decode the VIN number of any vehicle in the UK, simply follow these steps:
Enter the VIN Number
Just input the 17-character VIN number into the form provided above.
Hit “Check Vehicle”
Once the VIN is entered, click the “Check Vehicle” button to submit.
Review Vehicle Specifications
Our tool will display a list of vehicle specifications for free instantly.
Take it one step forward and generate a detailed report with information about ALL car specifications, history, and much more.
How to Read a VIN Number?
As you would know by now, the VIN is not just a mix of random characters. Each of these characters encrypts important information about the vehicle and they are grouped into sections. Here is a breakdown of a VIN number and what each character means:
Characters 1-3 (World Manufacturer Identifier - WMI)
The first three characters make up the World Manufacturer Identifier and indicate the country and manufacturer.
1st Character - A letter or number showing the Country where the car was built
For UK cars, it starts with “S” (e.g., SHS for Honda, SAJ for Jaguar). The first character could also be:
- J = Japan
- 1, 4, and 5 = USA
- W = Germany
2nd Character - The manufacturer
The second character shows the brand’s name. Some examples are:
- A = Audi
- B = BMW
- N = Nissan
Sometimes, one character can represent more than one make. This is why a third character is required in the WMI section.
3rd Character - Vehicle Type or Division
This character identifies the type of vehicle (Sedan, SUV, convertible, etc.) or division within the manufacturer. For example, Mercedes’ AMG division’s VIN is WMX.
Characters 4-8 (Vehicle Descriptor Section - VDS)
The fourth to ninth characters fall under the vehicle descriptor section and provide details about the vehicle type, body style, engine size, safety features, and other vehicle features.
Each character represents different vehicle features depending on the manufacturer.
9th Character - Check Digit
The ninth character of a UK VIN is a security code used to verify the authenticity of the VIN through a mathematical formula. If incorrect, the VIN is invalid.
Characters 10-17 (Vehicle Identifier Section - VIS)
The tenth to seventeenth characters make up the vehicle identifier section and show the model year, manufacturing plant, and a unique serial number for the specific vehicle.
10th Character - Model Year
The tenth character represents the year of manufacture. Each letter and number are assigned to each year. Here’s a table that can help you easily identify any vehicle’s model year:
Code/Year
- A 1980
- B 1981
- C 1982
- D 1983
- E 1984
- F 1985
- G 1986
- H 1987
- J 1988
- K 1989
Code/Year
- L 1990
- M 1991
- N 1992
- P 1993
- R 1994
- S 1995
- T 1996
- V 1997
- W 1998
- X 1999
Code/Year
- Y 2000
- 1 2001
- 2 2002
- 3 2003
- 4 2004
- 5 2005
- 6 2006
- 7 2007
- 8 2008
- 9 2009
Code/Year
- A 2010
- B 2011
- C 2012
- D 2013
- E 2014
- F 2015
- G 2016
- H 2017
- J 2018
- K 2019
Code/Year
- L 2020
- M 2021
- N 2022
- P 2023
- R 2024
- S 2025
- T 2026
- V 2027
- W 2028
- X 2029
Code/Year
- A 1980
- B 1981
- C 1982
- D 1983
- E 1984
- F 1985
- G 1986
- H 1987
- J 1988
- K 1989
- L 1990
- M 1991
- N 1992
- P 1993
- R 1994
- S 1995
- T 1996
- V 1997
- W 1998
- X 1999
- Y 2000
- 1 2001
- 2 2002
- 3 2003
- 4 2004
Code/Year
- 5 2005
- 6 2006
- 7 2007
- 8 2008
- 9 2009
- A 2010
- B 2011
- C 2012
- D 2013
- E 2014
- F 2015
- G 2016
- H 2017
- J 2018
- K 2019
- L 2020
- M 2021
- N 2022
- P 2023
- R 2024
- S 2025
- T 2026
- V 2027
- W 2028
- X 2029
11th Character - Assembly Plant
The 11th character shows the exact plant where the vehicle was made. Every assembly plant has its unique coding, so it’s advisable to identify the character first and then search for it.
12th to 17th Character - Unique Serial Code
The last six characters represent a unique identifier assigned to each vehicle produced by the manufacturer. It distinguishes vehicles with identical configurations and assembly locations.
Free VIN Check vs. Full Car History Report
A free VIN check is an easy way to verify vehicle specifications of several vehicles, especially if you just want to quickly make a decision. The problem is that you don’t get to view much vehicle information. With a free check, you can access:
Year
Body style
Colour
Gears
Make
Trim level
Engine size
Fuel type
Model
Transmission
Engine cylinders
Displacement
Vehicle type
Vehicle class
Engine specs
Emission standard
Number of doors
Number of seats
Displacement
Emissions
On the other hand, a paid UK VIN lookup provides a comprehensive car history report, including all the details from the free check and much more, such as:
High-risk records
Written-off check
Stolen records
Outstanding finance
Mileage history
Scrapped records
Auction history
Plate change history
MOT history
Ownership records
Logbook checks
Colour change history
Tax Status
Imported checks
Exported checks
Vehicle Registration
With a full vehicle history report, you can be sure you’re getting a complete picture of a vehicle’s past and making the best decisions.
Why Should You Get a UK VIN Check?
With detailed vehicle specifications and car history records, you can verify the information provided by dealers and sellers, minimize risks, and save money in the long run.
Some benefits of decoding the chassis number of a vehicle before purchase are:
Outstanding Finance
Avoid unexpected costs by confirming the car doesn’t have unpaid loans that could lead to repossession.
Vehicle Specifications
Verifies key details like engine size, fuel type, and emissions to match seller claims.
Written Off Records
Protects you from buying a damaged car that’s been declared a total loss by insurers.
Ownership Records
Shows how many people have owned the car, helping you judge how well it may have been maintained.
Mileage Discrepancies
Checks for signs of mileage tampering, which could hide heavy use or maintenance issues.
MOT History Check
Lets you see past MOT results and repairs to better understand the car’s condition and reliability.
Stolen Records
Ensures the car hasn’t been reported stolen, helping you avoid legal trouble or seizure.
Log Book (V5C) History
Checks DVLA log book issue dates and easily spot any red flags.
When Should You Decode Your VIN?
You should decode your VIN in the following situations:
- Before buying a used car: Verify the vehicle’s history, specifications, and any potential issues to ensure you’re making a safe investment.
- When selling a car: Provide potential buyers with accurate information to build trust and get more sales.
- To check for hidden problems: Identify any red flags, such as outstanding finance, accidents, or theft records.
- When verifying vehicle details: Ensure the car’s make, model, engine, and year match the seller's description.
- For insurance purposes: Confirm your vehicle's specifications to get the right coverage and avoid discrepancies.
- To track ownership history: Check for past owners or any history of the vehicle being written off or scrapped.
Check Car VIN Number by Make
Our VIN decoder decodes ALL UK VINs, makes, and models. Below are some of the most popular car makes:
Audi
Hyundai
Mercedes-Benz
Peugeot
Toyota
BMW
Kia
MG
Skoda
Vauxhall
Fiat
Land Rover
Mini
Suzuki
Volkswagen
Ford
Mazda
Nissan
Tesla
Volvo
Get More Than VIN Checks
In addition to our VIN decoding tool, we offer a range of essential services to give you a complete picture of your vehicle’s history and ensure a safe purchase:
Get our Smart Car Check Mobile App
Are you looking for the best car history check UK? Make a smart decision with Smart Car Check App. Perform a Reg. number check in the UK to uncover any past problems and hidden history that the seller will not tell you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I decode a UK VIN number?
To decode a UK VIN number, simply enter the 17-character VIN into our decoder tool, and it will instantly display detailed vehicle specifications, including make, model, year, engine type, and more.
Are there any free VIN decoders?
Yes, our UK VIN Decoder is free to use, providing basic vehicle specifications and important details about the vehicle.
Can I look up specs by VIN number?
Yes, by entering the VIN number into our decoder, you can access detailed specifications, including the car’s make, model, engine type, year of manufacture, and more.
Where is the VIN on a V5C?
The VIN number can be found in the Vehicle Details box at the top of page 2 of the V5C logbook. Look for a field marked ‘VIN/Chassis/Frame No.’ and you will find the VIN.
