User our VIN Decoder to decode Tesla’s VINs! (Nov-2024 update)
Background
The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is used worldwide by vehicle makers to uniquely identify a vehicle. The first 3 characters are assigned to each manufacturer. The rest of the characters are assigned by the manufacturer and often change over different models and years. We’ve built a decoder based on Tesla’s various submitted VIN references for the Model S, 3, X, Y, Semi, Cybertruck, and Roadsters, along with our analysis of current VINs including changes not officially published by Tesla yet.
Decoder
Select an example VIN, paste your VIN in the box, and press enter or change specific values in the decoder. Decoder results may change based on other values, especially for the make and year. Position 9 is s check character that validates the VIN.
Descriptions will change based on make and year. Unknown values typically occur due to an invalid value for the make and year, but could also be a new value not yet published by Tesla. Please let us know if you see a valid VIN that has any unknown values via contact us. Include the VIN (the last five digits are not necessary).
VINs are processed by your local browser and no information is sent to TeslaTap servers.
Where's My VIN?
Your VIN can be found in a number of places:
- The original Window Sticker.
- On the Tesla website, select Account and enter your login information. On the Dashboard page, the VIN appears below your vehicle image.
- A metal plate on the dash has the VIN engraved. It is visible from the outside of the car through the bottom of the window on the driver’s side.
- The VIN is printed on the white Vehicle Certification Label, visible when you open the driver’s door on the center pillar.
- Open the rear hatch. On the hatch lip, on the right may be a white label with the VIN. It’s not clear every car has this label. This is not the Emission Control Label.
- In the frunk, under the center maintenance panel that is near the windshield, the VIN is stamped on the chassis (varies by year and model).
- If you open the Tesla phone app, scroll to the bottom of the page and the VIN and software version appears.
Example VINs (or enter your own VIN)
| 1-3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 - 17 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0 |
| Position | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Manufacturer | 5YJ = Tesla, Inc. |
| 4 | Make | S = Model S |
| 5 | Body Type | A = Hatchback/5-DR LHD |
| 6 | Restraint System | 1 = Manual Type 2 Seat Belts (Front, Rear*3) With Front Airbags, Side Inflatable Restraints, Knee Airbags (Front) |
| 7 | Charger Type | E = Electric |
| 8 | Battery Type | 6 = P2 Tri Motor |
| 9 | Check Character | 2 |
| 10 | Model Year | N = 2022 |
| 11 | Location of Manufacture | F = Fremont, CA |
| 12 | Serial #, 100,000s | 0 |
| 13-17 | Serial Number Digits | 16329 |
Recall Search
Tesla has a VIN Recall Search to find out if your Tesla has any recalls.
References
These are the links to the latest public details. Tesla makes changes during the year that is not always reflected in these charts. Here are the USA Part 565 PDF filings:
- Model S/3/X/Y/Semi/Cybertruck 2025 (year digit 10= “S”, submitted September 2024)
- Model S/3/X/Y/Semi 2024 (year digit 10= “R”, submitted May 2024)
- Model S/3/X/Y/Semi/Cybertruck 2024 (year digit 10= “R”, submitted March 2024)
- Model S/3/X/Y/Semi/Cybertruck 2024 (year digit 10= “R”, submitted September 2023)
- Model S/3/X/Y/Semi 2023 (year digit 10= “P”, submitted September 2022)
- Model S/3/X/Y 2022 (year digit 10= “N”, submitted September 2021)
- Model S/3/X/Y 2021 (year digit 10= “M”, submitted February 2021)
- Model S/3/X/Y 2021 (year digit 10= “M”, submitted August 2020)
- Model S/3/X/Y 2020 (year digit 10= “L”, submitted December 2019)
- Model S/3/X 2019 (year digit 10 = “K”, submitted in November 2017)
- Model S/3/X 2018 (year digit 10 = “J”, submitted in November 2017)
- Model S/3/X 2017 (year digit 10 = “H”, submitted in May 2017)
- Model X 2017 (year digit 10 = “H”, submitted in October 2016)
- Model S 2017 (year digit 10 = “H”, submitted in October 2016)
- Model X 2016 (year digit 10 = “G”, submitted in August 2015)
- Model S 2015+ (year digit 10= “F”, submitted in August 2015)
- Model S 2015 (year digit 10= “F”, submitted in December 2014)
- Model S 2014 (year digit 10 = “E”, submitted in December 2013)
- Model S 2013 (year digit 10 = “D”, submitted in March 2012)
- Model S 2012-2013 (year digit 10 = “C” or “D”, submitted in March 2009)
- Roadster 2008 (year digit 10 = “8”, submitted May 2008)
37 comments
Hi, the motor code for the new Highland 3 Performance is ‘T’, this is currently missing. 🙂
LRW3F7ET2RC1xxxxx
Thanks! It’s now updated for changes through June and includes the new “T” designator.
Hope this hasn’t been suggested before, but would be a nice addition to this page (and any with simple form data) to add the entered info into the URL (given no need for a page refresh, via JS). Browser crashed, and so needed to enter in VIN again. Not a huge issue, but a nice touch if not needing to do that and be able to revisit page from history and pull same details up.
Not a bad idea, but it likely would require a redesign so that the VIN is sent to our server. Currently, we designed our VIN decoder to not send any VIN data to our servers for privacy. The VIN is only processed by the browser after the page is loaded. Might be done with cookies, but we’ve avoided those too.
It’s actually super simple to implement.
When the user enters a VIN and hits decode you only need to manipulate the URL in the browser session and add a query parameter to it, eg. `?vin=5YJ`
That way the history gets recorded in the browser and upon reload this is the URL that would be loaded.
In addition the webapp would need to check if that query param is present during initialization. If not, leave the field blank and decode the default VIN.
If you don’t want to mess with browser history and query parameters you could even use local storage in the browser, and you would still re-use the last used VIN if the browser is capable.
Thanks for your suggestion. While not hard to implement, we worry users would think we are saving the VIN on our servers if it remembers the last VIN (i.e. privacy concerns). Your suggestion would not do that, but we want to insure users that we never get or record VINs. Not all users understand the difference between local storage and server storage.
Hi, I’ve got a new VIN from Shanghai Model 3.
LRW3F7FS2NC5xxxxx
It seems the motor is “S,” which is unrecognized in the current VIN decoder.
We’ve added support for the “S” motor. If anyone knows what variant this is for, please let us know (i.e. SR+/LR/Performance).
Bonjour, je suis en possession d’une tesla s p85 de 2012 édition signature produite en 500 exemplaires.
Ma demande : comment est-il possible de savoir le classement de ma voiture sur la chaîne de production
Translation: “Hello, I am in possession of a tesla s p85 from 2012 signature edition produced in 500 copies. My request: how is it possible to know the classification of my car on the production line”.
The VIN provides a limited amount of info. I do know that a little over 1000 Signatures P85s were made. You can view the label that is visible when you open the driver’s door. It shows the month the car was made, whereas the VIN only shows the model year.
Why doesn’t my VIN designate the month of the build?
There is a 400 Model Y recall that I need to know the month of the build.
Tesla VINs have never included the month of manufacture, and as far as I know, no other manufacturers include the month either. There are a few fields in the VIN that are manufacturer-defined, so it’s possible someone could create a VIN that includes the month. Also, keep in mind the year in the VIN is the model year, not the manufacturing year. It is common in the industry to switch to the next year’s VIN around August or September. Tesla typically changes the year VIN in October or November, but this is relatively new. Tesla used to not change the VIN year until the very end of December. To get the manufacturing month/year, you need to look at the label that is visible when you open the driver’s door.
About to pick up my Made in China Model Y (VIN: LRWYGCEK8MC0xxxxx). The VIN decoder doesn’t recognize the letter “K” in the 8th position (motor/drive unit). Vehicle is long range, dual motor.
Thanks – we’ve updated to include the K motor code, which we believe is China only right now.
“LZR84
13-May-2021 – 7:12 pm
About to pick up my Made in China Model Y (VIN: LRWYGCEK8MC0xxxxx). The VIN decoder doesn’t recognize the letter “K” in the 8th position (motor/drive unit). Vehicle is long range, dual motor.”
Hello, same problem with my vin :
LRW3E7FR9NC
Motor 8em digit : R ?
Model 3 single motor 2022
Thanks you
Thanks! Both “K” and “R” types are now supported.
Hello,
This decoder is very helpful! Thank you.
I think something is wrong with verifying Made In China Model 3. I have a VIN:
LRW3F7FA6MC1xxxxx
The decoder detects that it’s MIC correctly but sees the fourth digit as “S” instead of “3”. Could you fix this?
Yep, I had an error for the battery category. Now fixed. Thanks for bringing that to our attention.
For all P85D’s with a manufacturer date from 12/2014-04/2015 have a P in the 12 digit representing Performance Plus Suspension. Starting 05/2015 when the performance plus suspension was replaced with SAS smart air suspension they stopped using P and instead incorporated #’s. This is true for every single P85D
Yes, in position 8. We’ve supported it from the start, but if you have a VIN that doesn’t show up properly, we’d love to see it. You can leave off the serial number portion if that’s a concern.
Where can I find out what HW version and MCU and FSD were purchased for a used X I am looking at?
The VIN does not provide any of that info. With the date of manufacturer, you can find the HW/MCU versions here: https://teslatap.com/articles/autopilot-processors-and-hardware-mcu-hw-demystified/
FSD is a bit tricker. If you’re buying from the original owner, it would have been on the window sticker (if they still have it). If buying directly from Tesla, they will state it. For other sources, such as dealers and auction houses, it may have been sold as a used car from Tesla, and FSD, if it had it, could be removed. For this last case, I’d get the fact that it has FSD in writing with a value assigned to it, should it not be the case and you need to get a refund. FSD today is a $7K option.
With software version 2020.4 or later, you can find all that information directly in the car. Go to Settings->Software->More information about the vehicle (or something like that).
Yes, good info. It includes motor types, MCU and AP versions which was never in the VIN. It doesn’t include other details that are encoded in the VIN, such as model year, safety equipment, battery, etc. When buying a used car, you may not have immediate access and can still use the VIN to confirm details.
Just looked at the source code on the Tesla site and found the VIN for my Model 3: 5YJ3F7EB4KF4xxxx. Its fifth digit (body type) is F. I’m in the UK, so I reckon it means Sedan 4 Door (Model 3, Right-Hand Drive).
You are correct! We’ve updated the page to support the “F” type. Thanks.
[…] https://teslatap.com/vin-decoder/. This takes your VIN and tells you what options you have. Just go to Tesla.com and copy your vin number and past it into Teslatap. This only gives you the most basic options however and tells you that […]
The vin-decoder doesn’t seem to be working for me. Do I need to be using a specific browser?
Works great in Chrome, logged in or not. Just tested in Firefox, and it only works if you are logged in. Tested in IE 11, and it is not working. Not sure what is going wrong, but I’m looking into it.
Update: IE11 and older have some serious bugs, for which there is no good workaround. Please use a functional browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Opera. Edge may work, but untested.
Is there a way to learn which battery type is in my August 20, 2023 .Fremont build MY?
Sorry to say, not with the VIN. My understanding is all Fremont Model Ys use the NCA Lithium-ion type 2170 cells.
Seems difficult to reset from my iPad, any tips to assist?
Thanks
Perhaps first highlight the prior VIN in the field and press delete? Hopefully you can then type a new VIN.
same for my french model 😉
Hi,
I did not receive my new S 90D yet and I’m located in Switzerland.
I just decoded my VIN and found that my Restraint System is 7, which is “Restraint system for Australia”.
Do you know what it exactly means ?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Have a nice day
Jean-Daniel
It means I made an error :). Actually the data from the restraint system came from Tesla’s filings in Australia that we were able to access online (here in the USA). Obviously this same system is used in other countries as well. I’ve updated the description in the VIN decoder to make it clear that it is for select non-USA countries. About 30% of different countries make the VIN decoder information document that Tesla files with them available publicly. We use that information to construct the VIN decoder. This works for 95% of the countries, but it not a perfect system. Thanks for letting us know about Switzerland so we could make the correction.