Check Volvo VIN for Full Specs and History
Our Volvo VIN decoder checks the Volvo VIN number to reveal specifications such as the year, model, trim level, engine, and transmission. Run a full car check to verify MOT history, finance, write-off, and more.
- Lowest price check
- Great Customers Review
- Fast and Accurate
- Lowest price check
- Great Customers Review
- Fast and Accurate
What is a Volvo VIN Number decoder?
A Volvo VIN decoder is an online tool that reads your car’s unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It reveals key details such as model, engine type, trim, and factory options.
Volvo VIN number decoding is vital for checking a car’s true specs and verifying its history. This is crucial when buying or selling a used car, to ensure the vehicle matches its description and hasn’t been stolen, written off, or altered.
What is a Volvo VIN Number?
A Volvo VIN is a 17-character code that identifies each vehicle. It contains information about the car’s make, model, year, engine, and place of manufacture.
The VIN becomes important during registration, insurance, MOT, and when buying or selling a car, helping confirm the car’s identity and details.
How to Decode a Volvo VIN Number?
A 17-digit Volvo VIN number contains detailed information about the vehicle, including the manufacturer, model, assembly location, and unique identifiers. It acts as the vehicle’s fingerprint, distinguishing it from all others.
To avoid misreading, the letters I, O, and Q are excluded from VINs, as they can be easily mistaken for the numbers 1 and 0.
The Structure of a 17-Digit Volvo VIN Number
The VIN structure is made up of three key sections:
- World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) – Characters 1 to 3: Shows who made the car and the country it was built in.
- Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) - Characters 4-9 : Gives key details like the model, engine type, and body style.
- Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS) – Characters 10 to 17: Includes the year the car was made, the factory it came from, and its unique serial number.
What Each Character of the 17-digit VIN Means
Every character of the VIN reveals specific information about the car. Here is what each character represents:
1st to 3rd Characters - Country and Manufacturer
The first three characters indicate the country and manufacturer. Here are some of the common characters:
- 4V2, 4V4, 4V5, 4VG and 4VH Volvo USA
- YB1, YB2 and YB3 Volvo Europa (Belgium)
- YV1, YV2, YV4, YV5 and YVZ Volvo Sweden
4th Character - Vehicle Series
This reveals details about the vehicle series. Some possible characters include:
- A – 240
- C – XC90
- F – 740
- G – 760
- H – 780 Bertone Coupe
- J – 940
- K – 960, S90 and V90
- L – 850, S70 and V70 from 1991 to 2000
- M – S40, V50 and C70 after 2004
- N – C70
- R – S60
- S – V70 and VC70 after 2000
- T – S80
- V – S40 and V40 from 1994 to 2004
5th Character - Body & Safety Features
The fifth character contains information on the vehicle body type and safety system. Common characters to expect include:
- C – Convertible
- H – AWD sedan
- J – AWD station wagon
- K – Coupe with airbags
- M – 4WD XC90
- N – 2WD XC90
- S – Sedan with airbags
- T – AWD sedan
- W – Wagon or 5 door hatchback with airbags
- V – AWD wagon or 5 door hatchback
- Y – XC90 with three row seating
6th & 7th Characters - Engine Information
Curious about engine specs? These two characters provide the engine information. A few of the characters include:
- 69 – 2.5 L
- 79 – 2.5 L
- 80-84 – 2.3 L
- 85 – 4.4 L
- 86-89 – 2.3 L turbo
- 90 – 2.8 L turbo
- 92 – 2.4 L
- 93 – 2.5 L
- 95, 96 – 3.0 L
- 98 – 3.2 L
- 99 – 2.5 L or 3.0 L Turbo
8th character - Body Style, Emissions Code, Safety Equipment & GVWR
- For pre-1992, this indicates the body style.
- For 1992-2009 models, it represents the emissions code
- For 2010-2014 models, this codes for the body style, safety equipment and GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).
- For 2015-present, it indicates the trim level, safety equipment and GVWR.
Since this code changes from year to year, it’s best to use our Volvo VIN decoder UK to accurately verify the emission system.
9th Character - Check Digit
This digit acts as a security check to confirm the VIN is valid. It’s calculated using a special formula that analyses the other 16 characters, preventing fake or altered VINs
10th Character - Model Year
The tenth character indicates the model year and alternates between numbers and letters.
Use the table below to easily 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 - Assembly Plant
The eleventh character shows the assembly plant. Volvo has the following manufacturing plants:
- 0 – Kalmar, Sweden
- 1 – Gothenburg, Sweden
- 2 – Ghent, Belgium
- 3 – Halifax, Canada
- A, J – Uddevalla, Sweden
- F – Nedcar, Born, Netherlands
12th to 17th Characters - Unique Serial Number
These characters make up the unique sequential number (serial number) of the Volvo. This number doesn’t mean anything special other than the production number when the car was rolled out of the factory.
How to Use our Volvo VIN Number Decoder
Using our free Volvo VIN Decoder in the UK is quick and reliable. Once you locate the VIN, follow these simple steps to decode it:
Step 1: Enter the VIN
Find and enter the 17-digit VIN into the form above
Step 2: Click “Check Vehicle.”
After completing the form, click the “Check Vehicle” button to begin the process.
Step 3: Get Detailed Vehicle Specifications
Our tool will provide you with the vehicle specifications for free. It will show the year, make, model, colour, engine specs, and the car’s MOT and tax status.
If you’re buying a used Volvo, get a Volvo VIN check to access the full report. Check for insurance write-offs, mileage, finance status, and other vital records to make an informed decision.
Where is the VIN Number on a Volvo?
. Here are the most common Volvo VIN number locations:
- Dashboard (Driver’s Side): Look through the windshield on the dashboard’s lower-left corner; you will find it on a small metal plate or transparent sticker.
- Driver’s Side Door Jamb: Check the sticker or plate on the inside edge of the driver’s door pillar, which usually begins with “YV.”
- Under the hood: Some older Volvo vehicles may have their VIN placed on various engine compartments, such as the firewall, radiator pillar, or inner fender.
- Registration Documents: The VIN is often printed on the vehicle’s registration (V5C logbook) or insurance paperwork.
- Inner Front Wheel Arch: In some older Volvo cars, you may find the VIN located on the inner front wheel arch.
Why Conduct a Volvo VIN Number Check?
According to the AA, over 10% of vehicles checked have outstanding finance, and nearly 1 in 5 may have been previously written off. Performing a Volvo VIN lookup is essential for the following reasons:
Verify Vehicle Specs
Confirm the exact make, model, engine size, trim level, fuel type, and more to ensure authenticity.
Identify Cloned Cars
Ensure the VIN on the car matches official documents to avoid buying a stolen or cloned vehicle.
Check for Insurance Write-Offs
Identifies if the vehicle was written off and possibly repaired, which affects safety and resale value.
Spot Mileage Fraud
Compare mileage records to detect tampering or clocking.
Outstanding Finance Check
Make sure there’s no outstanding finance that could result in repossession.
Ownership History
See how many previous keepers the car had and when ownership changed.
Free Volvo VIN Decoding Vs. Full Car Check Report
We offer free VIN decoding and a detailed, paid full car check if you buy a used car. Both tools are reliable, depending on your needs.
Free VIN Decoding
Our free Volvo VIN decoder UK provides basic car specifications, such as model, year, engine type, trim, and more. It’s great for detailed free car checks.
Here’s what our Volvo VIN decoder free check provides.
Full Car Check Service
Get a complete picture of your Volvo’s history, including MOT records, write-offs, theft, finance status, and more. Our full car check report reveals the following:
What You Need to Know About Volvo Vehicles
- Volvo vehicles have lower crime rates compared to other brands. For instance, the Volvo XC90 has a theft rate of 7 incidents per 10,000 registered vehicles, while the Volvo V40 has 6 incidents per 10,000.
- Volvo vehicles hold their value well, with depreciation rates lower than many competitors. The XC60 retains around 60% of its value after three years.
- Volvo is known for its strong safety features, contributing to lower accident severity compared to other brands.
- Volvo sold approximately 48,000 new cars in the UK in 2024, maintaining steady market performance.
- The Volvo XC60 and XC90 remain among the most popular models in the UK, with strong sales in the premium SUV segment.
Other Smart Car Check Tools
We provide beyond UK VIN decoding! Our service also features a range of specialised tools to simplify your car check. Below are 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
Select your car manufacturer below to decode the VIN and access detailed vehicle information for that specific make.
Get the Smart Car Check Mobile App
Looking for the best car history check in the UK? Download the Smart Car Check App today. With just a registration number, you can instantly detect hidden history, past problems, or issues the seller won’t mention. Make smarter, safer decisions before buying any vehicle.
FAQ About Volvo VIN Decoder
How can I check a Volvo VIN number for free in the UK?
You can check Volvo VIN numbers by using our Volvo VIN number decoder. This helps you view information such as the year, make, model, engine, transmission, trim, colour, and the MOT and tax status.
Can I check a Volvo truck VIN in the UK?
Yes, you can check Volvo truck details using our Volvo truck VIN decoder to verify the original specs, options, engine, trim and more. Get the truck history report to check for the number of previous keepers, finance, mileage discrepancy, MOT history, insurance written off, and more. This helps buy safe and protect your truck investment.
How to look up a Volvo VIN number?
To lookup a Volvo VIN, enter the VIN into our reliable Volvo VIN lookup tool to find detailed information (model, engine, etc.) and full history (finance, writeoff, stolen records, mileage, etc).
How do I decode my Volvo VIN number?
To decode your Volvo VIN number, use our Volvo VIN decoder UK to break down and easily interpret the unique code to show details like the year, make, model, body style, plant and more.
How do I see what options my Volvo has?
To view your Volvo’s options, use our Volvo specs by VIN tool or look at the build plate in the car. Volvo also has a dedicated app (portal) for Volvo owners to check factory-installed features digitally.
