Can-Am VIN Check
Every Can-Am off-road vehicle, Spyder, and Ryker built since the ISO VIN era carries a unique 17-character Vehicle Identification Number. BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products) assigns WMI codes by plant: 3JB for Juárez, Mexico (most modern ATV and side-by-side models), 2BX for Valcourt, Canada (Spyder), and 3JC for Querétaro electric motorcycles.
Positions 4–8 are BRP-proprietary and encode the product line (Outlander, Defender, Maverick, Ryker, etc.), trim tier, and engine family. Our decoder matches these against NHTSA-confirmed VDS signatures and supplements with NHTSA vPIC data for trim and engine details.
How to Read a Can-Am VIN
Start with the WMI (positions 1–3) to confirm Can-Am / BRP and the country of assembly. Position 4 routes to the product family on Mexico-built units (U = Defender, L = Outlander, V = Maverick X3, 2 = Ryker, and others). Positions 5–8 complete the trim and engine descriptor — use the decoder above for an automatic translation.
Can-Am VINs are classified as off-road vehicles by NHTSA; they are not FMVSS-certified highway motor vehicles. Check digit validation still applies under ISO 3779.
Can-Am VIN Position Breakdown
| Pos. | Section | Standard Meaning | Can-Am Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WMI | Country of manufacture | ISO 3779 region code — 3=Mexico, 2=Canada, R=Vietnam |
| 2 | WMI | Manufacturer | Combined with pos. 1–3 identifies the BRP manufacturing entity |
| 3 | WMI | Vehicle type | 3JB=Juárez, Mexico (Outlander, Defender, Maverick, Ryker); 3JC=Querétaro, Mexico (Origin/Pulse EV); 2BX=Valcourt, Canada (Spyder); 2BV/2BW/2BZ=Valcourt legacy/trailer; RLV=Vietnam (contract youth ATV) |
| 4 | VDS | Product family | L/3=Outlander ATV; M=Renegade; R=Outlander 6×6; K=Commander SSV; U=Defender/Traxter SSV; 1=Maverick Trail/Sport; V=Maverick X3; 2=Ryker. On Spyder (2BX): J=GS/RS, N=RT, R=F3 |
| 5 | VDS | Trim / engine tier | BRP-proprietary trim and engine-family code — varies by product line |
| 6 | VDS | Body / options | Body style and equipment variant |
| 7 | VDS | Restraint / options | Supplemental restraint or equipment attribute |
| 8 | VDS | Engine / market | Engine displacement family or market filing code — 4 on many modern Mexico-built units is a filing placeholder, not a trim name |
| 9 | Check digit | Validation | ISO 3779 weighted-sum check — applies on standard Can-Am WMIs |
| 10 | VIS | Model year | Standard 30-year letter/digit cycle (e.g. P=2023) |
| 11 | VIS | Assembly plant | J/K/E=Juárez, Mexico lines; V=Valcourt, Canada |
| 12–17 | VIS | Serial number | Unique production sequence at the assembly plant |
Frequently Asked Questions — Can-Am VIN
Where is the VIN on a Can-Am?
On ATVs and side-by-sides, the VIN plate is typically welded under the front differential or on a sticker on the front passenger-side firewall. Spyder and Ryker VINs are on the frame near the steering head.
What WMI does Can-Am use in Mexico?
WMI 3JB is assigned to BRP Mexico, S.A. de C.V. in Juárez, Chihuahua. It covers Outlander, Renegade, Commander, Defender, Maverick, and Ryker models built there.
What does Defender VDS UUAX4 mean?
On WMI 3JB, position 4 U identifies the Defender/Traxter side-by-side line. The full 5-character VDS prefix maps to trim and engine — for example UUAX4 corresponds to Defender MAX Limited with the Rotax 1000R engine family.
Can I get paint color from a Can-Am VIN?
No — BRP does not encode paint, interior, or factory options in the public VIN. Dealer build records or the physical data plate may list additional details not available in standard VIN decoding.
Is Can-Am the same as BRP?
Can-Am is a brand of BRP (Bombardier Recreational Products). NHTSA lists the make as CAN-AM while the manufacturer entity may read BRP Mexico or Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. depending on the assembly plant.