VIN Validator
Validate a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) using its 17-character format and the ISO 3779 check digit.
Enter a value above to validate it instantly.
A VIN is 17 characters from a restricted alphabet (no I, O or Q). Position 9 is a check digit computed from a weighted transliteration of the other characters, mod 11. This tool confirms the format and recomputes the check digit to tell you whether a VIN is valid.
North American VINs enforce the check digit; some other regions do not, so a format-valid VIN may still fail the check-digit test. The tool reports both so you can tell which kind you have.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a real VIN sometimes fail the check digit?+
Only North American (and some other) VINs are required to carry a valid ISO 3779 check digit. VINs from regions that don't enforce it can be correctly formatted yet fail the check.