Lexus VIN Decoder

Plan to buy a used Lexus? Check the car’s specs and history with our free Lexus VIN decoder.

What is a Lexus VIN Decoder?

A Lexus VIN Decoder is a tool that decodes the 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Once you have successfully decoded the VIN, you can get the information on the vehicle’s specs, engine, transmission, and history records.

Decode the VIN to verify the vehicle’s authenticity and get insight before buying or selling the Lexus.

How to Decode a Lexus VIN?

Lexus VIN Decoder - Breakdown of VIN with details on the vehicle's manufacturer, engine, plant, and serial number.

To decode a Lexus VIN manually, you must know what each character stands for. A Lexus VIN has 17 characters and gives important details about the car, such as the maker, model, where it was built, and other special features.

Each car’s VIN is unique and can only be used to find details about that vehicle. Also, remember that the letters I, O, and Q are not used in VINs to avoid confusion with the numbers 1 and 0.

Breaking Down the Lexus VIN

Every vehicle is assigned a 17-digit VIN and is carefully divided into three main sections. Each section has a different purpose and provides specific information about the car.

Now, let’s break down the 17 characters of the VIN. 

1st Character:

The first character represents the vehicle’s country of manufacture. Lexus vehicles are manufactured in Japan, the United States, and Canada. Specific models are produced at different plants across these locations.

1 or 4

2

3

J

K

S

W

Z

USA

Canada

Mexico

Japan

Korea

England

Germany

Italy

2nd Character:

This identifies the specific manufacturer. Here are some examples from Lexus’s vehicle line.

WMI Code

Manufacturer

Country

JTH

Lexus

Japan

JTJ

Lexus SUV

Japan

2T2

Lexus SUV made by TMMC

Canada

3rd Character:

This shows the vehicle type or division. Letters like A, S, X, or number 1 can represent passenger cars, SUVs, or motorcycles.

4th to 8th Characters

It represents the car’s features, such as the engine type, transmission model, body style, model, and series.

  • Model/Series (Position 4): Typically represents the model line, such as RX, LS, or ES.
  • Body Style/Trim (Position 5): Often indicates the number of doors or a specific trim variant, like Luxury or F Sport.
  • Trim/Equipment (Position 6): Highlights the trim level and any included equipment options. Lexus models may come with various equipment packages, and this position captures some of those variations.
  • Restraint System/GVWR (Position 7): Describes the vehicle’s safety restraint system and its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
  • Engine Type (Position 8): Specifies the engine configuration, including options like a V6, hybrid, or turbocharged engine (e.g., 3.5L V6, 2.0L Turbo).

9th Character:

This check digit is used to confirm whether the VIN is valid and has never been changed.

10th Character:

This shows the model year. Each year is marked by a certain letter or number that can be decoded using the table below.

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:

This tells where the car was built. Each letter matches a specific factory location around the world. The locations are usually represented with letters.

Plant

Location

11th Digit

WMI (1st–3rd)

Typical Models Produced

Tahara

Aichi, Japan

0 or 1

JTH

LS, NX (older models), RC F

Kyushu

Fukuoka, Japan

5

JTJ

RX, UX, NX, ES

Motomachi

Aichi, Japan

M

JTH

LC, LC Convertible

Cambridge (TMMC)

Ontario, Canada

C or W

2T2

RX, NX (from 2022)

Georgetown (TMMK)

Kentucky, USA

A

58A

ES (US-built)

12th to 17th Characters

These characters are the car’s serial number, which shows the exact production number of the vehicle.

How to Decode a Lexus VIN?

Use our Lexus VIN decoder tools to decode any Lexus VIN. Follow these steps to view free vehicle specifications.

Fact 1

Enter the VIN

Input the 17-character VIN, your email address, and your phone number into the form above.

Fact 2

Click “Check Vehicle.”

Submit details to initiate the decoding process.

Fact 3

Get Vehicle Specifications

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

If you want more information, you can also do a full VIN check to see if the car has any accident history, unpaid finance, mileage issues, and other important records.

Where’s the VIN on a Lexus?

To find the VIN on a Lexus vehicle, you must examine these locations and the vehicle’s documentation. Here’s where you can find the VIN

  • Registration Documents: The VIN is often printed on the vehicle’s registration or insurance paperwork.
  • Dashboard: Look through the windshield on the lower-left corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side.
  • Driver’s Side Door Jamb: Check the sticker or plate on the inside edge of the door.
  • Engine’s Bay: The VIN may be stamped or engraved on the engine block, usually on the front side near the serpentine belt.
Where is the VIN number on a Lexus? Shows VIN locations including dashboard, door frame, engine, and more

Why Conduct a Lexus VIN Check?

In recent years, the UK car market has seen rapid growth, with a 2.7% increase in vehicle sales during Q1 2025. However, many buyers still face hidden risks, such as undisclosed outstanding finance, tampered odometers, or past theft records.

Outstanding Finance

Be informed about the car’s outstanding finance so you don’t need to worry or even pay someone else’s debt after you purchase the car.

MOT History Check

Check the MOT history to see the car’s past MOT test results and past maintenance to assess its overall performance, condition, and reliability.

Avoid Purchasing Stolen Vehicles

See if the car has even been marked as “Stolen” in the UK market. Be sure to check to avoid buying a stolen vehicle, as it could lead to legal trouble and registration issues.

Detect Potential Odometer Fraud

Some sellers rolled back the odometer to keep the price high. Check the actual odometer reading before buying to avoid a scam.

Identify a Write-off Car

Check thoroughly the car’s write-off status. If a car has ever been marked as a “write-off” by the insurer, you must avoid it as it may have experienced significant damage..

V5C Logbook Records

Check the dates when the DVLA log book was issued. This helps you spot any problems, or if the story about who owned the car seems wrong

Check Auction Status

Some cars go through auctions due to damage or other reasons—check the report to find out if the vehicle has been auctioned, and include photos for better insight.

Ownership Records

Know how many people have had the vehicle. If it often changes owners quickly, this might be a red flag.

Free VIN Decoder vs. Paid VIN Decoder

Our VIN decoder tools offer two different options: free and paid services. While our VIN decoder free check provides basic information about the car, the paid version offers full access to the complete car check report.

Free VIN Decoding

A free VIN decoder is a good starting point before you get a paid one. Just enter your VIN on the form, and you can get basic information about the vehicle, like the specifications, in one simple report to verify the vehicle’s authenticity.

Here’s what you’ll get with our 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 service gives detailed information about the car’s history and condition, which you need to know before buying the Lexus to avoid buying a troubled car.

Here’s what you’ll find in our full car report.

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

What Makes Lexus Special?

Lexus is known for making luxury cars with strong performance, comfort, and advanced features. Many people like Lexus because it gives a smooth and quiet driving experience. No matter what model you choose, Lexus focuses on quality and reliability. The brand is also famous for its powerful engines and good fuel efficiency. 

Inside the car, you will find high-end materials, smart technology, and careful design. Lexus builds each vehicle with great attention to detail, making it a top choice for people who want style and performance.

You can learn more about these specs using a Lexus VIN decoder, including where the car was made and what kind of engine or trim it has.

Essential Tools for Smarter Car Buying Decisions

Before buying a used car, check everything so you don’t end up buying a junk car. Use our tools to get the information you need about the car to make a good decision.

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

The VIN was stamped on various vehicle metal parts, including the frame, body, engine, and transmission. The VIN on the frame or body was often called the Hidden VIN or Federal VIN. This hidden number is usually a shortened version of the full VIN.

You can use our free VIN decoder service for a free vehicle specs report. Just fill in the form on this page and you can get vehicle specifications for free.

Lexus engines are made very well, so they usually last for more than 100,000 miles without big problems. Before that, you probably won’t need many major fixes. But after 100,000 miles, some people have reported needing more repairs.