Type the 17 characters off the dash or the door jamb. We read them back to you: year, make, model, engine, factory specs, and whether the VIN is in our salvage records. No VIN to hand? Start from a US plate.
Input · cached lookups · rate-limited
Vehicle identification number · sample17 positions · no I, O or Q
2FM
1–3 · WMIMaker & country2FM · Ford, Canada
GK5BC
4–8 · VDSModel, body, engineGK5BC · Flex SE, 3.5L V6
9
9Check9 ✓
C
10YearC · 2012
B
11PlantB
D21837
12–17 · SerialUnique to this vehicleD21837
Sample readoutVIN 2FMGK5BC9CBD21837source: GET /v1.1/decode_vin
Sold on RapidAPI. One key covers VIN decoding, salvage checks and US plate lookups. Send a VIN with two headers and get JSON back, with 22 fields per decode.
VIN Decoder API
SPEC PLATE · V2.0
Host
vindecoder.p.rapidapi.com
Auth
X-RapidAPI-Key X-RapidAPI-HostBoth headers, on every request
Yes. Decoding a VIN, checking our salvage records and looking up a US plate are free here, with no sign-up. Lookups are rate-limited.
Q02What does the free check show?
Factory specs decoded from the VIN (year, make, model, trim, engine, transmission, drive, fuel economy, dimensions), whether the VIN is in our salvage records, and the VIN for a US plate.
Q03Where is the VIN on my car?
On the dashboard at the driver's side, readable through the windshield, and on the sticker in the driver's door jamb. It is also on the title, registration and insurance card.
Q04Why "not in our cache yet"?
The free tools answer from VINs we have already decoded. If yours isn't there yet, the API can decode it live.
Q05Can I use the decoder in my app?
Yes. Subscribe on RapidAPI (BASIC is $0 a month), then send your RapidAPI key in the X-RapidAPI-Key header. API docs →
Q06Does it work on VINs from outside North America?
The decoder validates the North American check digit in position 9, so it is built for 17-character VINs on vehicles sold in the US and Canada.
Start on BASIC. $0 a month.
Subscribe on RapidAPI, copy your key, make the call. Upgrade to PRO or ULTRA there when you need more.