Porsche VIN Decoder

Q: How to look up Porsche VIN number?

Use our free Porsche VIN decoder to verify the year, model, engine, transmission, and more. Simply fill out the form on this page to decode the VIN.

Check any Porsche’s true identity with our easy-to-use Porsche VIN decoder. Get a fast, free car spec check with an affordable option to access the full vehicle history report.

What is a Porsche VIN decoder?

A Porsche VIN Decoder helps you read and understand your vehicle’s unique identification number (VIN), usually 17 digits long. It reveals specific and important details like model, engine, trim, and production year.

This tool is vital when checking a Porsche’s original specs and features. Running a Porsche VIN check on used cars can also provide vehicle history records, which help buyers and sellers spot potential fraud or hidden history.

How to Decode a Porsche VIN Number?

A 17-digit Porsche VIN encodes vital information about the vehicle, including the manufacturer, model, engine, body style, assembly location, and more. It acts as the vehicle’s fingerprint, distinguishing it from all others.

To avoid confusion, the letters I, O, and Q are excluded from VINs, as they can be easily mistaken for 1 and 0.

The Main Parts of a VIN

A VIN Number has three parts. The first part, the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), shows the maker and country. The second part, the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS), gives details like model and body type. The third part, the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS), is unique to each vehicle and includes the year, factory, and serial number. These parts help track and identify vehicles.

What Does Each Character of the VIN Mean?

Here, let’s break down each character of the Porsche VIN number using a 2008 Porsche 911 VIN: WP0AC299X8S792067 as an example:

VIN

Position

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th

11th

12th

13th

14th

15th

16th

17th

1st Character (Country of Origin):

The first character(W) indicates where the Porsche was manufactured. This helps identify the country of production. The sample VIN starting with “W” means the Porsche was built in Germany.

2nd Character:

This identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer. For Porsches, this is typically represented by “P,” as in the sample VIN.

3rd Character (Vehicle type or Manufacturing division):

The third character(0) shows the vehicle type or the division. Here are the two common characters:

0 = Sports/Passenger
1 = SUV

4th Character:

This represents the Porsche body type. Some common characters include:

5th Character:

This represents the engine type.

6th character:

This verifies if there are airbags and the locations. E.g. 0 means no airbags, 2 means front airbags only, E means no side airbags and F means there are side airbags.

7th Character:

These represent the model year category (Pre/Post 2010). It can either be 9 = Up to MY2009 or A = Starting with MY2010.

8th Character:

This represents the model number.

9th Character:

The check digit(X) verifies that the VIN is authentic and not a fake string of random characters. It is calculated using a specific algorithm developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

10th Character:

The tenth character (8) indicates the model year and alternates between numbers and letters. Each letter represents a specific year; ‘8,’ from the VIN example, signifies the Porsche is a 2008 model.

Here’s a table that can help you quickly identify any car’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:

The eleventh character (S) shows the vehicle’s assembly or manufacturing plant. For instance, the sample VIN has “S” as the 11th character, depicting the Porsche assembled in Stuttgart. Other codes include:
- U = Uusikaupunki
- L = Leipzig
- K = Osnabruck VW factory
- N = Neckarsulm Audi factory
- D = Bratislava VW factory

12th Character

This position and the 8th position are read together to find the Porsche model ID.

13th to 17th Characters:

These characters (92067) make up the unique sequential number (serial number) of the Porsche. This distinguishes it uniquely from other Porsches with the same model, trim, etc., manufactured in the same plant.

How to Use the Porsche VIN Decoder?

Follow these simple steps to decode any Porsche VIN number in seconds:

Enter the VIN

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

Click “Decode VIN”

Submit details to initiate the decoding process.

View Specifications

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

If you’re buying a used Porsche, alongside vehicle specifications, you can run a full car check report for hidden records, mileage, finance status, and other vital information.

Locating the VIN Number on a Porsche

The Porsche VIN number can be found in several key locations, including:

On the dashboard: Look through the windshield on the lower-left corner of the dashboard.
On the Driver’s Side Door Pillar:: Check for the VIN on the sticker or plate on the inside edge of the driver’s door.
On the Registration Documents: The VIN is often printed on the vehicle’s registration (V5C logbook), or insurance paperwork.
Front Luggage Compartment: For 911 models from 1973 – 1998, you can locate the VIN inside the front luggage compartment under the rug, to the right of the hood latch.
Right Front Wheel: The 914 models has their VIN on the right front wheel and the right headlamp housing.

Why a Porsche VIN Check Matters?

Every car buyer wants to protect their investment and gain peace of mind when considering a car. Checking the VIN helps achieve that. Here are key reasons why you should look up a Porsche VIN:

Verify Previous Keepers:

Knowing the number of owners helps assess how often the car changed hands, which may reflect reliability and durability.

Checks Vehicle Log Book (V5C)

Ensures V5C matches DVLA records, avoiding fake documents and scams.

Spots Cloned Vehicles:

Helps detect fake identities or registration cloning, protecting you from unknowingly buying stolen cars.

Detects Insurance Write-Offs:

Identifies if the vehicle was written off and possibly repaired, which affects safety and resale value.

Checks Outstanding Finance:

Confirms if the car has outstanding finance; if so, it legally belongs to the lender, not the seller.

Provides Mileage History:

Tracks mileage over time to ensure the odometer hasn’t been tampered with.

Free VIN Decoding Vs. Full Car Check Report

We offer free VIN decoding and a detailed, paid full car check to assist those considering a secondhand car in making an informed decision. Feel free to choose what works best for you.

Free VIN Decoding

Our free VIN decoding service reveals essential vehicle information, including make, model, year, and manufacturing location. It’s a quick, reliable way to understand your car’s basic details instantly. Here is what our free VIN decoder provides.

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

Full Car Check Service

Our full car check reveals hidden vehicle history, including insurance write-off, finance status, and more. Let our comprehensive report give you the peace of mind that you deserve. Check out what our full car check report includes:

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

Interesting Insights Into Porsche Cars in the UK

The Porsche 911 remains one of the most sought-after sports cars in the UK, consistently ranking among top luxury vehicle choices.
Porsche vehicles have a relatively low theft rate, with 12 thefts per 10,000 registered vehicles.
Since 2020, 155 Porsche 911s have been sold in the UK, with a total sales value of £17.3 million.
The average price of a Porsche 911 is £109,373, with the highest recorded sale reaching £357,829.

Other Smart Car Check Tools

Our platform features a range of specialized tools to simplify your car check and deliver the precise information you need. Here’s an overview of the additional tools available:

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

Vauxhall

MINI

Suzuki

Honda

Peugeot

BMW

Ford

Audi

VW

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.