Toyota VIN Decoder

Q: How do I check my Toyota history?

Utilize our Toyota car check tool to access the number of previous keepers, mileage discrepancy, MOT history, insurance written off, and more. This ensures you’re not parting ways with your money for a used Toyota with hidden issues.

Instantly verify any Toyota car details using our accurate Toyota VIN decoder. Lookup key specifications, features, engine info or run a full car check for buying confidence. Check MOT status, outstanding finance, and more.

What is a Toyota VIN decoder?

A Toyota VIN decoder is a tool that helps identify key details of any Toyota car using its unique VIN number. It reveals vital information like the car’s make, model, engine type, and build year.

It’s especially useful when checking a vehicle’s history or confirming its factory-installed features. Decoding a VIN is crucial for buyers and sellers to spot potential red flags, like mismatched specs or past damage.

How Do I Decode My Toyota VIN Number?

See the 17-digit Toyota VIN as a human fingerprint. It contains specific information, including the car manufacturer, model, assembly location, engine, and transmission. A typical VIN is without the letters I, O, and Q, as they can be easily mistaken for 1 and 0 (one and zero).

VIN Number Parts and Their Meaning

The VIN is structured into three key sections:

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI): This is represented by the first three characters, which reveals the vehicle’s manufacturer and country of origin.
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS): This section is made up of characters 4 to 9. It provides detailed specs, including the model, body style, and engine type.
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS): The VIS is denoted by the last eight characters (10 to 17), and provides information on the vehicle’s model year, assembly plant, and the unique serial number.

Toyota VIN Number Breakdown

1st Character:

The first digit of the VIN indicates where the specific Toyota was manufactured. This helps identify the country of production. For most Toyota vehicles, you should see these characters as the first digit:

1 or 4

USA

Canada

Mexico

Japan

France

2nd Character:

Many manufacturers use one specific code, but in Toyota vehicles, you would find either “T” for Toyota or “N” for NUMMI, a California-based manufacturing company jointly owned by General Motors and Toyota. As a result, some Corollas built would mostly have the letter “N” as their second character.

3rd Character:

The third character indicates the vehicle type. If you find any of these characters, it should give you a clue of the vehicle’s type:

4th to 8th Characters:

he fourth character denotes the Toyota’s body type and drivetrain. Some of the characters include:

For Toyota trucks, these are the characters to expect:

Other vehicles can have these characters:

5th Character:

Toyota has produced numerous engines throughout its history, which means the letters and numbers for this digit are often recycled. Some of the characters and the engine represented include:

4 = 7A-FE Lean Burn
A = 3MZ-FE
B = 1NZ-FXE or Toyota AZ engine#2AZ-FXE|2AZ-FXE
D = 2ZZ-GE
E = 2AZ-FE
F = 1MZ-FE or 2AR-FE
G = 5S-FE
H = 1AZ-FE
J = 1FZ-FE
K = 2GR-FE

L = 2RZ-FE
M = 3RZ-FE
N = 5VZ-FE or 2ZR-FXE
P = 3S-FE
R = 1ZZ-FE
S= 1BM or Electric
T = 3S-GTE
U = 1GR-FE or 2ZR-FE
V = 1NR-FE
Y = 3UR-FE

6th Character:

The vehicle series is usually encoded in the sixth character of the VIN.

7th Character:

The seventh character shows the different types of seat belts and airbags installed at the factory. Some of the characters include:

0 = manual belts with 2 airbags and curtain airbags
1 = manual belts; 2/manual belts with driver side airbag
B = 1NZ-FXE or Toyota AZ engine#2AZ-FXE|2AZ-FXE
3 = manual belts with 2 airbags
6 = manual belts with 2 airbags, side airbags, curtain airbags, and a knee airbag for the driver

7 = manual belts with 2 airbags and a knee airbag for the driver
8 = manual belts with 2 airbags and side airbags
D = manual belts with 2 airbags, side airbags, three-row curtain airbags, and a knee airbag for the driver
F = manual belts with 2 airbags, side airbags and a knee airbag for the driver.

8th Character:

This character identifies the Toyota model. Some of the characters on the eighth digit include:

9th Character:

This digit verifies that the VIN is authentic and not a fake string of random characters. It is calculated using a specific algorithm that involves the other 16 characters of the VIN.

10th Character:

The tenth character indicates the model year and alternates between numbers and letters. Each letter represents a specific year.

The table below helps you easily identify any Toyota 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:

This shows where the vehicle was assembled or the manufacturing plant, and you would find Toyotas assembled in these locations represented with these characters:

0-9, K = Toledo, Ohio
C = Cambridge, ON
R = Lafayette, IN
S = Princeton, IN
U = Georgetown, KY
W = Woodstock, ON
Y = San Antonio, TX
Z = Fremont, CA

12th to 17th Characters:

These characters represent the unique sequential number of the Toyota. It distinguishes it from other Toyotas manufactured in the same plant with similar models.

How to Check a Toyota VIN Number?

We aren’t sure about other online VIN decoders, but our Toyota VIN decoder works for all Toyota vehicle types and models. Follow the following steps to easily and confidently look up any Toyota VIN:

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.

You can get a full report to uncover any mileage discrepancies, outstanding finance, and other vital information.

What is a Toyota VIN Number?

The Toyota Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code that holds important details about the vehicle. It reveals the model, engine size, year of manufacture, and more. The VIN is needed during ownership transfer, insurance applications, and car checks.

Toyota VIN Number Locations

The Toyota VIN number can be found in these easy-to-spot locations:

1. Dashboard (Driver’s Side): Look through the windshield on the lower-left corner of the dashboard.
2. Driver’s Side Door Jamb: Check the sticker or plate on the inside edge of the driver’s door.
3. Engine Bay: It may be stamped onto the engine block or near the firewall.
4. Registration Documents: The VIN is often printed on the vehicle’s registration (V5C logbook) or insurance paperwork.

Why Conduct a Toyota VIN Number Check?

A car history check is the green flag you need to go ahead when considering a used car. It could save you thousands of pounds on future repairs and maintenance. Here’s why running a car history check is essential:

Confirms Original Specifications:

Ensures the car matches factory-installed specs, increasing confidence in its authenticity and value before buying.

Detects Insurance Write-Offs:

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

Verifies Theft Status:

Checks police and insurance records to confirm if the car has ever been stolen or cloned.

Checks MOT and Tax Status:

This check verifies whether MOT and tax are current or overdue, helping avoid fines and legal issues.

Highlights Colour Changes:

Be alerted about any resprays or repainting that might indicate past damage or attempts to hide issues.

Shows Car Performance Data:

Assess performance stats to help accurately compare similar models and make informed buying decisions.

Paid Vs. Free VIN Decoding: What You Stand to Get

Whether you choose a paid or free VIN check, our services guarantee the best value for your money and time spent researching a car. Let’s get you signed up for accurate and detailed vehicle info and records.

Free VIN Decoding

Our free VIN decoding gives you basic car specs like make, model, engine size, and year. Check below to see 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

A full car check includes everything in the free report, plus the car’s full history and condition. Check below to see what our full car check report provides:

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 Facts About Toyota Cars

Toyota vehicles have a relatively low theft rate, with models like the Prius experiencing 109 thefts per 10,000 registered vehicles.
Toyota remains one of the best-selling brands in the UK. There is strong demand for models like the Corolla, Yaris, and RAV4, with the first two consistently ranking among the top-selling cars.
Toyota sold over 100,000 vehicles in the UK in 2024, maintaining its position as a leading brand.
Toyota leads the UK hybrid market, with the Prius and Corolla Hybrid among the top choices for eco-conscious drivers.
The Toyota RAV4 remains one of the best-selling SUVs in the UK, competing with premium brands in the segment.

Other Smart Car Check Tools

Looking for something else? Check out our additional car check 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

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