North America VIN Decoder — Decode US, Canada & Mexico VINs
Decode any North American VIN free. Vehicles built in the US, Canada and Mexico open with region codes 1–5 — enter the 17-character VIN and the decoder reads the country of assembly, manufacturer, model year, plant and engine, then validates the check digit.
Free · instant · no signup · 17-character VIN
North American VIN region codes (VIN position 1)
| First character | Country of assembly |
|---|---|
| 1, 4, 5 | United States |
| 2 | Canada |
| 3 | Mexico |
How North American VINs are assigned
Under ISO 3779, the first VIN character identifies the world region of assembly. North America owns the digits 1 through 5: the United States uses 1, 4 and 5; Canada uses 2; and Mexico uses 3. The first three characters together (the WMI) then pin down the specific manufacturer and vehicle type — so 1G is US-built GM, 2T is Canada-built Toyota and 3VW is Mexico-built Volkswagen.
This is why the same model can show different first characters: a Jetta from Puebla opens with 3VW, while a Passat from Chattanooga opens with 1VW. The country code reflects where the car was bolted together, not the brand's home country.
Decode any NA VIN, then verify
The decoder above reads any North American VIN's full structure. Because the US, Canada and Mexico share the NMVTIS title system and cross-border vehicle trade is common, running a history report on the VIN is the way to catch a title brand issued in one country or state from following the car to another.
Frequently Asked Questions
What VIN starts with 1, 2 or 3?
The first character is the country of assembly: 1, 4 and 5 are the United States, 2 is Canada, and 3 is Mexico. The full three-character WMI identifies the specific manufacturer.
Does the VIN country code mean the brand's home country?
No — it means where the vehicle was assembled. A German brand built in Mexico will have a Mexico (3) country code, not a German (W) one.
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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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Paste any 17-character VIN to see the full position breakdown — manufacturer, model year, plant and engine.
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