Tesla VIN Decoder: All Check Digits Explained

Understanding your Tesla's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is essential for any owner or prospective buyer. The VIN provides critical information about your vehicle, including its make, model, year, and production details. In this article, we’ll explore how to decode a Tesla VIN and explain the significance of each digit, including the check digits.

What is a VIN?

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code assigned to every vehicle. It serves as the car’s fingerprint, providing essential details about its history, specifications, and ownership. For Tesla vehicles, decoding the VIN can reveal information about battery type, production year, and even the factory where it was built.

How to Decode a Tesla VIN

To decode a Tesla VIN, you’ll need to understand what each digit represents. Here’s a breakdown of the VIN structure:

The first three characters represent the manufacturer. For Tesla, this usually starts with "5YJ," indicating it’s a Tesla vehicle.

• 5YJ: Tesla USA (Model 3/S)
• 7G2: Tesla USA (Tesla semi)
• 7SA: Tesla USA (Model X/Y)
• SFZ: Tesla Roadster (built in Great Britain)
• LRW: Tesla China
• XP7: Tesla Germany

2. Characters 4: Model designation

• 3: Tesla Model 3
• Y: Tesla Model Y
• S: Tesla Model S
• X: Tesla Model X
• R: Tesla Roadster
• T: Tesla Semi
• C: Tesla Cybertruck

3. Characters 5: Body type and steering wheel position

• A: 5 doors, left-hand drive, hatchback (Model S) / sedan (Model 3)
• B: 5 doors, right-hand drive, hatchback (Model S) / sedan (Model 3) / Cabin (Semi)
• C5 doors, left-hand drive, SUV
• D5 doors, right-hand drive, SUV
• E: left-hand drive, 4 doors, sedan (Model 3) / 3 doors, convertible (roadster)
• G: 5 doors, left-hand drive, SUV crossover
• H: 5 doors, right-hand drive, SUV crossover

4. Characters 6: Safety equipment

• 1: Seat belts (2 front, 3 rear), front airbags, knee airbags (front), side airbags, PODS
• 3: Seat belts (2 front, 2 rear), front airbags, knee airbags (front), side airbags
• 4: Seat belts (2 front, 2 rear), Front airbags, Knee airbags (front), Side airbags
• 5Seat belts (2 front, 2 rear), front airbags, side airbags
• 6Seat belts (2 front, 3 rear), front airbags, side airbags
• 7: Seat belts (2 front, 3 rear), Front airbags, Side airbags, Active hood
• 8: Seat belts (2 front, 2 rear), Front airbags, Side airbags, Active hood
• A: Seat belts (2 front, 3 second row, 2 third row), Front airbags, Knee airbags (front), Side airbags, PODS
• B: Seat belts (2 front, 2 second row, 2 third row), front airbags, knee airbags (front), side airbags, PODS
• C: Seat belts (2 front, 2 second row, 2 third row), front airbags, side airbags, PODS
• D: Seat belts (2 front, 3 rear), front airbags, knee airbags (front), side airbags, PODS

PODS stands for "Passenger Occupant Detection System". This system detects whether there is a person in a particular seat and communicates with the airbags to determine the intensity of deployment in the event of an accident. The active hood is a system designed to protect pedestrians. In the event of a collision, the rear part of the hood rises by 80 millimetres to reduce the risk of head injuries.

5. Characters  7: Drive type

1. A: Charger with 10 kW charging power
• B: Charger with 20 kW charging capacity
• C: Charger with 10 kW charging capacity and DC fast charger
• D: Charger with 20 kW charging capacity and DC fast charger
• E: NMC/NCA battery (for cars produced in Shanghai). If digit 8 is "S", then BYD LFP battery (for non-Shanghai cars). Otherwise, E simply stands for "Electric"
• FLFP battery. If figure 8 is "S", then the battery comes from CATL.
• H: NMC battery with high capacity (85 kWh)
• S: NMC battery with standard capacity (60 kWh)
• VNMC battery with ultra-high capacity (90 kWh)

6. Characters 8: Motorization

• 1: a standard AC induction motor, 3-phase
• 2two standard AC induction motors, 3-phase
• 3one performance AC induction motor, 3-phase
• 4two performance AC induction motors, 3-phase
• 5two motors (Facelift Model S/X)
• 6three motors (Model S/X Plaid)
• A: one standard or performance motor of the "Wire Windings" type (3#RP, Model 3)
• Btwo standard motors of the "Wire Windings" type (3#DB, Model 3 or Semi)
• Ctwo "Wire Windings" performance motors with 82 kWh battery (3#DP)
• D: one standard or performance motor of the "Wire Windings" type (Y#RP, Model Y)
• Etwo standard motors of the "Wire Windings" type (Y#DB, Model Y)
• Ftwo performance motors of the "Wire Windings" type (Y#DP)
• G: unspecified motor, 51-60 kWh battery
• J: a standard/performance motor of the "Hairpin Windings" type (Y#RP, 3#RP)
• Ktwo standard motors of the type "Hairpin Windings" (Y#DB, 3#DB)
• Ltwo performance motors of the "Hairpin Windings" type (Y#DP, 3#DP)
• N: one standard motor, 81-90 kWh battery
• P: one performance motor, 81-90 kWh battery
• R: a standard motor of the "Wire Windings" type (Y#RB, 3#RB)
• S: a standard motor of the "Hairpin Windings" type (Y#RB, 3#RB)
• T: Two performance motors

• This character is a check digit used to verify the authenticity of the VIN. It’s calculated using a mathematical formula and can be a number (0-9) or the letter "X."
• The check digit ensures that the VIN hasn’t been altered or misread.

To calculate the check digit, first replace all the letters in your VIN with the corresponding numbers according to the table below. Then each of the first 16 numbers (VIN without the check digit) is multiplied by a specific factor. This factor ranges from 2 to 10 and then again from 2 to 9, starting from right to left in the VIN.

The 17th digit of your VIN is multiplied by 2, the 16th by 3 and so on, with the ninth digit being multiplied by 10 before the eighth starts at 2 again. Finally, multiply the first digit of your VIN by 9. Add up all the numbers obtained. Divide the result by 11. The remainder of this division (0 to 10) is the check digit of your VIN. If the remainder is 10, the check digit is represented by the letter "X".

If you want to check the accuracy of your VIN, follow these steps and compare the result with the check digit of your chassis number.

8. Character 10: Model Year

The tenth character indicates the model year of the vehicle. For instance:

1. "A" = 2010
2. "B" = 2011
3. "C" = 2012
4. "D" = 2013
5. "E" = 2014
6. "F" = 2015
7. "G" = 2016
8. "H" = 2017
9. "J" = 2018
10. "K" = 2019
11. "L" = 2020
12. "M" = 2021
13. "N" = 2022
14. "P" = 2023

The eleventh digit of the VIN indicates the exact production location of the vehicle. This is detailed information about the location that goes beyond the information in the first three digits (manufacturer and country):

• 1: California, Menlo Park
• 3: Great Britain, Hethel (Roadster)
• A: Texas, Austin
• B: Germany, Berlin/Grünheide
• C: China, Shanghai
• F: California, Fremont
• G: Germany, Berlin/Grünheide
• N: Nevada, Reno
• P: California, Palo Alto
• R: Development / Research

These characters indicate the vehicle's unique production sequence, allowing you to identify the specific car in the manufacturing run.

Why is the Check Digit Important?

The check digit is crucial for several reasons:

• Validation: It ensures that the VIN is valid and not a result of a clerical error.
• Fraud Prevention: The check digit helps detect fraudulent VINs, making it a vital component in vehicle registration and title processes.
• Historical Accuracy: Accurate VINs contribute to proper records in databases, helping maintain vehicle history and ownership records.

How to Use a Tesla VIN Decoder

To decode a Tesla VIN, you can use various online VIN decoding tools or the Tesla website itself. Simply enter the VIN, and the tool will provide detailed information about the vehicle, including its specifications, production history, and recalls.

Conclusion

Understanding your Tesla's VIN and the significance of each digit, especially the check digit, is essential for maintaining accurate vehicle records and ensuring your car's authenticity. By utilizing a VIN decoder, you can easily access valuable information about your Tesla, enhancing your ownership experience. Stay informed and empowered with the knowledge of your vehicle's unique identity!