Hyundai VIN Decoder — Decode Any Hyundai VIN Free
Decode any Hyundai VIN free in seconds. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Hyundai Santa Fe, Tucson, Elantra, Sonata or Palisade and the decoder breaks it down position by position — manufacturer, model year, engine and plant — then validates the check digit. No signup, no charge.
Free · instant · no signup · 17-character VIN
Common Hyundai WMI prefixes (VIN positions 1–3)
| WMI prefix | What it identifies |
|---|---|
| KMH | Hyundai passenger car, built in South Korea |
| KM8 | Hyundai SUV, built in South Korea |
| 5NP | Hyundai car, built in the USA (Montgomery, Alabama) |
| 5NM | Hyundai SUV, built in the USA |
How a Hyundai VIN breaks down
Every Hyundai built since 1981 carries a 17-character VIN under the ISO 3779 standard. Positions 1–3 are the World Manufacturer Identifier — a Korea-built Hyundai car commonly opens KMH, a Korea-built SUV KM8, and a US-built car such as the Sonata or Elantra 5NP. Positions 4–8 encode the model line, body and engine; position 9 is the check digit; position 10 the model year; position 11 the plant; and 12–17 the sequential build number.
Because the engine and trim are described in positions 4–8, two same-year Tucson or Santa Fe models can carry different descriptor characters depending on drivetrain and equipment.
Decode vs. history: what the VIN can and can't tell you
Decoding a Hyundai VIN reveals the factory build — year, engine, plant and trim. It won't show what happened after the sale. For salvage, accident, flood and odometer brands, run the same VIN through a history report drawing on NMVTIS and state-DMV records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Hyundai?
On the lower-left corner of the windshield, the driver-side doorjamb sticker, and the title and registration.
What does a Hyundai VIN starting with 5NP mean?
5NP is the World Manufacturer Identifier for a Hyundai car built in the USA at Montgomery, Alabama. KMH indicates a Korea-built Hyundai car and KM8 a Korea-built SUV.
Can I decode a Hyundai VIN for free?
Yes. Enter the 17-character VIN in the decoder above for an instant breakdown of year, engine, plant and trim — no account needed.
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Want the Full Story Behind This VIN?
A decode shows the factory specs. A history report adds accidents, title brands, odometer fraud, theft records and open recalls — sourced from NMVTIS and every state DMV.
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