Free VIN Decoder & JDM Chassis Lookup

A chassis number (also called frame number) is the unique identifier for a vehicle. Japanese domestic market (JDM) vehicles use manufacturer-specific chassis codes like ZRE172 (Toyota Corolla) or BNR34 (Nissan Skyline GT-R) — these are short alphanumeric codes that identify the model series. International vehicles use VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) — the 17-character standard used globally since 1981. Our chassis decoder handles both formats.

Our free VIN decoder reads the structure of any 17-character VIN: positions 1-3 (WMI) identify country and manufacturer, positions 4-8 describe the vehicle, position 9 is a check digit, position 10 encodes the model year, position 11 is the assembly plant, and positions 12-17 are the unique serial number. The data is extracted using ISO 3779 international standards.

The chassis number appears in several places: the auction sheet (top corner), door jamb sticker (driver's door frame), dashboard (visible through windscreen at base), under the bonnet (firewall or engine bay), or vehicle registration document. For Japanese cars from auction, it's always on the auction sheet. You can also upload a photo of any of these and our AI will extract the chassis number for you.

The 10th character of a 17-digit VIN encodes the model year per ISO 3779. Codes cycle every 30 years: A=1980/2010, B=1981/2011, C=1982/2012, through Y=2000/2030, then 1=2001/2031 to 9=2009/2039. Letters I, O, Q, U, and Z are skipped to avoid confusion with numbers. Our VIN lookup automatically extracts this for any VIN you enter.

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first 3 characters of a VIN. It identifies country and manufacturer. Common WMIs: JHM = Honda Japan, JT = Toyota Japan, WBA = BMW Germany, WDB = Mercedes-Benz Germany, 1FA = Ford USA, 5YJ = Tesla USA, KMH = Hyundai South Korea.

Japanese chassis codes are often shown as PREFIX-SERIAL on auction sheets — for example ZRE172-1234567. The prefix (ZRE172) identifies the model and generation; the serial (1234567) is the unique vehicle identifier. Our chassis decoder accepts either format — just the prefix, or the full code with serial.

The VIN year code system cycles every 30 years. For example, the code "C" represents both 1982 and 2012. For most vehicles this is unambiguous (a 2012 Honda with code C is obviously not 1982). For classic vehicles near the 30-year boundary, cross-reference with the vehicle's documentation or auction sheet.

Our database contains 962 verified JDM chassis codes — these are 100% accurate, sourced from manufacturer documentation. For codes not in our database, AI (Google Gemini) infers vehicle details from training data. AI results are clearly labelled as "AI-inferred" and should be verified against an actual auction sheet before purchase. The free chassis decoder gives identification; the $7 auction sheet verification gives the actual vehicle history.

We use Google Gemini AI (gemini-2.5-flash and related models) for two purposes: (1) extracting chassis numbers from photos you upload, and (2) generating buyer's notes for chassis codes not in our database. AI only sees the chassis code or the photo you provide — never your name, email, location, or browsing history. AI-generated content is always clearly labelled with an "AI-inferred" or "AI-generated" badge.

Photos are sent securely to Google Gemini AI for one-time text extraction (reading the chassis number from the image). After extraction, the photo is immediately discarded — we do not store, share, or reuse uploaded images. The extracted text (chassis number only) may be temporarily cached for performance. Full details in our Privacy Policy.

Yes. Japanese motorcycle manufacturers (Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki) use the same JDM chassis code system. International motorcycles made after 1981 use the standard 17-character VIN format and are fully supported by our chassis decoder.

Yes — chassis decoding and VIN lookup are 100% free with no signup required. We monetise through our auction sheet verification service ($7) for those who want certified vehicle history with grade, mileage, and accident records. The decoder, photo extraction, and AI insights remain free.

VIN year decode (position 10) and country/manufacturer decode (positions 1-3) are based on ISO 3779 and SAE international standards — these are 100% reliable for any vehicle made after 1981. JDM chassis data is compiled from manufacturer documentation. However, decoder results identify the model — they don't verify accident history, mileage, or condition. For buying decisions, always verify with the auction sheet.