Decode any car instantly. VIN lookup, Japanese chassis decoder, photo extraction — all free. Get make, model, year, country & import eligibility for 66 countries.
Don't know the code? Upload an auction sheet photo or chassis plate — AI extracts it for you.
952 chassis codes·Updated April 2026·Verified data
Code "NCZ20" not in our database — asking AI to identify it…
Need the actual vehicle history for "NCZ20"?
AI identifies the model — auction sheet verification confirms grade, mileage, accidents & repair marks. From $7.
Click any row for full chassis lookup including specs, AI buyer's take, and import eligibility for 66 countries. Database covers 962 verified Japanese chassis codes.
🌍 How VIN decoding works
Every 17-character VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) follows the international ISO 3779 standard. A VIN lookup decodes each position to reveal manufacturer, year, country, and vehicle specifics. Our chassis decoder reads all 17 positions instantly:
WBAGX0C10RCN14597
● Pos 1–3: WMI = BMW AG, Germany● Pos 4–8: Model/Engine● Pos 9: Check digit● Pos 10: C = 1982 or 2012● Pos 11: Plant● Pos 12–17: Serial
The year code repeats every 30 years — use the vehicle's documentation to confirm if ambiguous. Codes A–Y (excluding I, O, Q, U, Z) then 1–9.
📍 Where to find your chassis number
Don't know where to look? Your chassis number is in one of these places — most cars have it stamped in 3-4 spots:
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Auction sheet
Top corner of the sheet, labelled「車台番号」(shadai bangō). The most reliable source for Japanese imports.
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Door jamb sticker
Open the driver's door, look at the metal frame near the latch. White or silver sticker with VIN/chassis printed.
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Dashboard (windscreen)
Look at the base of the windscreen on the driver's side from outside the car. VIN visible through the glass.
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Under the bonnet
Stamped on the firewall or engine bay. Look for a metal plate with raised letters/numbers.
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Registration document
Vehicle registration certificate (V5C in UK, 車検証 in Japan, similar elsewhere) lists the chassis/VIN.
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Or just photograph it
Take a photo of any of the above and click the Photo button in our search box — AI will extract the chassis number for you.
📋 VIN decoder vs JDM chassis lookup — what's the difference?
A VIN decoder reads the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number used internationally since 1981. Every modern car sold outside Japan has one. A JDM chassis lookup identifies Japanese domestic market cars using shorter, manufacturer-specific codes like ZRE172 or BNR34 — these appear on auction sheets, registration documents, and chassis plates of cars exported from Japan.
VIN decoder · International
17 characters · ISO 3779 standard · Used in 90% of countries · Includes year (position 10), country (position 1), manufacturer (positions 1-3)
JDM chassis lookup · Japan
3-8 characters typically · Manufacturer-specific · Identifies model generation · Common on auction sheets · Example: ZRE172, BNR34, JZX100
🌍 Decoded a car? Check if you can import it
Once your VIN lookup or chassis decoder result shows the year, check whether your country allows importing that age. Each guide includes age limits, duty rates, ports and required documents — verified April 2026.
What is a chassis number and how is it different from a VIN?
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.
How does this VIN decoder work?
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.
How do I find my car's chassis number for chassis lookup?
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.
What does the 10th character of a VIN mean?
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.
What is a WMI code?
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.
Why do some chassis codes appear with a hyphen and serial number?
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.
Why does the year show two possible years?
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.
Are the AI-powered insights accurate?
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.
What AI does this tool use, and what data does it see?
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.
What happens to photos I upload of my chassis or auction sheet?
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.
Does this VIN decoder work for motorcycles?
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.
Is this VIN lookup tool really free?
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.
Can I trust chassis decoder results for buying a car?
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.
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