KIA VIN Decoder

Use our KIA VIN Decoder in the UK to look up any KIA model’s specs and check the history record.

What is a KIA VIN Decoder?

A KIA VIN decoder is a tool to decode your KIA VIN and can be used for any model and trim. Once decoded, you can get detailed information about the vehicle, such as the manufacturer, model, year, engine, and transmission type.

Decoding the KIA VIN number also helps identify the car’s specs, track its history, and verify its authenticity to avoid scams.

How to Read a KIA VIN Number?

A 17-digit KIA VIN provides essential information about the vehicle. Once the VIN is decoded, you can see who made the car, what the model is, and the manufacturer plants that assemble it.

Please note that the letters I, O, and Q are not used in VINs because they can be mistaken for the numbers 1 and 0.

KIA VIN Evolution Timeline

Kia’s Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) have evolved alongside the brand’s global expansion and manufacturing advancements. Understanding how these changes occurred over time gives deeper insight into a vehicle’s identity, especially for car enthusiasts, importers, and used car buyers looking to decode older Kia models or imports.

Period

VIN Format

Key Features/Changes

Breaking Down the VIN

These are the three categories of VIN.

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) (Characters 1-3): Shows who made the vehicle and which country the car is from.
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)(Characters 4-9): Gives more detail about the vehicle, like its model, engine, and body type
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) (Characters 10-17): Provide information on the vehicle’s model year, assembly plant, and unique serial number.

Let’s break down the 17-digit VIN.

1st Character

This identifies the country where it was manufactured.

1, 4, 5

U5-U7

RL-RN

MA-ME

NF-NG

USA

Slovakia

China

Vietnam

Korea

India

Pakistan

Mexico

2nd Character:

This identifies the specific manufacturer. KIA’s manufacturer code is N. Here are some other KIA manufacturer codes.

WMI Code

Manufacturer

Country

3rd Character

This character shows the vehicle type or division that made it. For example, it might stand for a car, motorcycle, or utility vehicle.

4th to 8th Characters

These characters describe the vehicle’s features, like the model, series, body type, engine, and other important specs.

9th Character

This digit is a check code to confirm whether the VIN is valid and not fake.

10th Character

This shows the vehicle’s model year. Each year, there is a special letter or number code. Below is the table showing the codes and years represented.

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

The 11th digit tells you where the car was made, such as a plant in Germany or the United States. The locations are represented with these characters:

E = Pesqueria, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
G = West Point, Georgia, USA
H = Gwangju, South Korea

12th to 17th Characters

These numbers form the car’s serial number and show its exact order on the production line.

How to Use a KIA VIN Decoder?

There is no need to try decode the VIN manually; for better accuracy, just use our KIA VIN decoder and follow the instructions to decode it easily.

Enter the VIN

Enter the 17-digit VIN on the form above and fill out the rest of the form.

Click “Check Vehicle."

Submit details to initiate the decoding process.

Get Vehicle Specifications

Instantly access the car’s make, model, body type, and other key details.

Do a full VIN check to see if the car has any accident history, outstanding finance, mileage issues, and other important records.

Where’s the VIN on a KIA?

When you need to decode the KIA’s VIN, you need to find the VIN first. Here’s where you can find the VIN.

Registration Documents: The VIN is often printed on the vehicle’s registration or insurance paperwork.
Dashboard: Check the bottom left of the dashboard on the driver’s side by looking through the windshield..
Driver’s Side Door Jamb: Look for a sticker or plate on the inside frame of the driver’s side door.
Engine bay: The VIN is typically stamped or etched onto the block, often near the front belts or towards the back.

Why Conduct a KIA VIN Number Lookup?

Research reveals that one in three used vehicles sold has undisclosed issues, such as having been written off, having its odometer rolled back, or being previously stolen.

Here are more reasons to decode the KIA VIN before buying a car with hidden issues.

Outstanding Finance

Check if the car still has outstanding finance. If it does, you might face extra costs or lose the car, as the finance company can take it back.

MOT History Check

Checking the car's MOT history and repair records reveals its past condition and can indicate its future reliability.

Avoid Purchasing Stolen Vehicles

Ensure the vehicle is not marked as “Stolen” in the UK. Buying a stolen vehicle can cause legal problems in the future.

Detect Potential Odometer Fraud

Spot any strange changes in mileage. Some sellers change the odometer reading to make a car look newer or less used.

Identify a Write-off Car

Find out if an insurer has written off the car. The report shows the write-off category to help you see if it’s still safe to drive.

V5C Logbook Records

Check when the logbook was issued and match it with DVLA records. This helps you confirm the car’s owner and spot any possible issues.

Check Auction Status

See if the car has been sold at auction. This can mean the car had damage or problems before. The report includes real photos from the auction.

Ownership Records

See how many people have owned the car. If there have been too many owners in a short time, it could mean the car has had ongoing problems.

Free VIN Decoder vs. Paid VIN Decoder

Our car check tools offer two options for decoding the car’s VIN: a free and paid VIN decoder. While our VIN decoder free check provides basic information about the car, the paid version offers premium access to the complete car check report.

Free VIN Decoding

A free KIA VIN Decoder is used to get basic information about a vehicle before you decide to buy it. By simply entering the VIN, you can get the car’s exact specs that you can use to match with the seller’s description.

Here’s what you can find in a free VIN decoder.

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

Paid VIN Decoder

The paid VIN decoder provides complete information about the car’s history and condition through a complete car check report, perfect for assessing its actual condition before you buy it.

Here’s what you’ll get with a full VIN check:

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

Check Before You Buy

Be sure to check the vehicle’s details thoroughly before you decide to buy it. Use our vehicle check tools to get the information you need.

Registration Number Check

Retrieve vehicle details using the registration number.

MOT History Check

Access past MOT records to evaluate the car’s condition.

Insurance Write-Off Check

Identify vehicles previously classified as total losses.

Tax Check

Confirm tax status and compliance.

Stolen Car Check

Verify if the car is flagged as stolen in databases.

MPG Check

Determine the fuel efficiency and performance of the car.

Motorcycle VIN Check

Get specific data and history for motorcycles.

Car Value Check

Estimate the current market value of the vehicle.

Car Outstanding Finance Check

Verify if a car has an outstanding finance or loans.

Check Car VIN Number by Make

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

Are you allowed to cover up your VIN number?

One way drivers can protect their vehicle’s VIN is by temporarily obscuring it from public view. Items like a map can block the windshield, preventing passersby from seeing the number. However, permanently covering the VIN is against the law, so owners should know these regulations.

How can I tell where my KIA was built?

Kia VINs are 17 characters long and use both letters and numbers. The first letter always signifies the country where the Kia was made, South Korea. The next five digits represent Kia Motors’ global manufacturer code.

Is there a free app for VINs?

Yes. You can use our free app to decode the VIN everywhere and anywhere! Available for both iOS and Android.