VIN Decoder Australia: Free VIN Number Check
Decode VIN number to check vehicle's history.
What is a vehicle VIN decoder Australia?
How to use VIN decoder Australia to do a VIN number check?
- Enter your vehicle’s 17-character VIN number into the Enter VIN number field;
- Click Decode VIN.
- Check whether the VIN number is real;
- Confirm the VIN number corresponds to the vehicle you’re checking;
- Help you decode the number by breaking it down into parts.
VIN number meaning
Where is the VIN number on a car?
The VIN number is always placed in secure spots on the vehicle to prevent accidental damage or removal. Here are the most common VIN number locations:- Under the hood – the VIN is often located in front of the engine block.
- Dashboard on the driver’s side – step outside the vehicle and check behind the windshield for the VIN.
- Driver’s side door pillar – open the driver’s door and check for a VIN plate on the inside of the door pillar.
- The front end of the frame – for older cars, the VIN number is often found on the inner front wheel arch.
- Firewall – in some older vehicles, the VIN number can be found on the firewall, positioned between the cabin and the engine bay.
Free VIN number search vs Full Vehicle History Report
The carVertical VIN number checker scans dealer, repair shop databases, car sales reports, rental companies worldwide and provides you with all kinds of information from regular mileage checks to photos of damages.
Here’s what you may learn about from a full carVertical vehicle history report:
- Mileage rollbacks
- Theft records from law enforcement agencies
- Damages (sometimes, even photos after accidents)
- Registration and inspection dates
- Vehicle’s title info (was it used as a taxi, rental, police vehicle, etc.; has it suffered water damage, and so on)
- Original equipment
- Specific model problems and recalls
- Country of origin, model year
Meanwhile, the free VIN decoder Australia may tell you the car’s:
- Manufacturer
- Model
- Year
- Basic equipment info
- VIN breakdown
Why does a full vehicle history report cost money?
How to decode the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)?
The VIN number consists of 17 characters that are divided into multiple sections. Technically, you can check VIN number without using a decoder because every character has a fixed meaning.
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
The first section, called the WMI code (World Manufacturer Identifier), consists of three characters.- The first character represents the country of origin, ranging from "1" (for the US) to "Z" (for Italy).
- The second character indicates the vehicle brand. For instance, "A" stands for Audi, "B" for BMW, and "N" for Nissan. However, the same letter can sometimes represent different brands or countries. For example, "A" might denote British manufacturers, and "R" could also signify Audi. This is why the third character in the WMI section is necessary for clarification.
- The final character identifies the manufacturer’s division or the vehicle's body type, whether it’s a sedan, convertible, SUV, or another variant.
Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
The second section, known as the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS), is made up of five characters. These characters provide details about the engine size and type, braking system, vehicle series, model, and body style. Each character signifies different features, and their interpretation varies by manufacturer.
Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)
The last nine characters make up the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS), and the details in this section vary depending on whether the manufacturer is American, European, or Asian.With Australian vehicles, the VIS is required to provide a "clear identification of a particular vehicle."It’s common for vehicles to share the same configuration and assembly location, so the serial number often becomes the only unique part of their VIN number.Determining the model year without a reference chart can be tricky. For example, "1" represents 2001, "2" is 2002, but "A" stands for 2010, and "B" for 2011.Every assembly plant uses its own code, so it's essential to identify the character and look it up for precise information.
Check digit
This is the shortest section, containing only one character – the "check digit." This digit is generated through a mathematical calculation using all the other VIN number characters.If any character in the VIN number is incorrect or altered, the check digit won’t match. It’s possible to calculate the check digit yourself without needing to perform a full VIN number search.Australian vehicles, like those in most regions following international standards, use the 9th position for the check digit.Car history report
Avoid costly problems by checking a car's history. Just enter the VIN and get a full report.
Trusted by 6,000,000+ people across 38 countries
International VIN Decoder
The VIN number is just one of several ways to identify a vehicle.Having multiple ways to identify a vehicle is crucial, especially for detecting different types of fraud. That being said, the ISO standard VIN remains the most reliable method for vehicle identification.
Old VIN numbers
Our free VIN decoder Australia cannot process older VIN formats due to variations in their structure. Vehicles produced between 1954 and 1981 used different VIN formats, so you’ll need a specialized VIN check tool to decode them.With that said, pre-1981 vehicles can still be stolen, damaged, or written off like any modern vehicle. Therefore, old VIN numbers are still important to check.
Frame or chassis number (particularly in Japan)
VIN numbers are less common in Japan, where vehicles often use chassis or frame numbers instead. These numbers follow a different format from the standard 17-character VIN.Standard VIN decoders cannot interpret the chassis or frame numbers found on Japanese vehicles, so you'll need a specialized decoder for those formats.In Australia, the 17-character VIN number is the standard vehicle identification method, but for older or imported vehicles, particularly from Japan, you may encounter chassis or frame numbers instead.
License plate numbers
In most countries, vehicles must be registered to legally drive on public roads, resulting in databases that store vehicle information linked to license plate numbers. License plate checks are often free, but availability and cost depend entirely on the specific country.These checks typically provide basic details, such as the vehicle’s make, model, title status, and insurance information. However, license plate checks are generally not very helpful in cross-border situations.Decoding VIN numbers: why is it important to do a VIN number check?
There are several important reasons to perform a VIN number check. They depend on the situation.
You might opt for a free VIN decoder Australia check to:
- Help decode the VIN number manually
- Confirm that the VIN matches the vehicle
- Check basic specifications information
Performing a VIN number check for a full vehicle history report is essential if you’re:
- A car owner – discover any potential weak spots or simply satisfy your curiosity.
- Selling a used car – buyers appreciate transparency, so providing a history report helps build trust from the start.
- Buying a used car – uncover damages, mileage rollbacks, and other crucial information. This can help you avoid bad deals or help to negotiate the price.
Car history report
Avoid costly problems by checking a car's history. Just enter the VIN and get a full report.
Trusted by 6,000,000+ people across 38 countries
Frequently asked questions
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