Hyundai VIN Check
Hyundai builds vehicles in more than one country, and the VIN is the fastest way to see which factory line produced a specific unit. WMI prefixes (KMH, KM8, 5NP) set the region; position 11 names the plant. KMH/KM8 indicate South Korea; 5NP indicates Hyundai's Montgomery, Alabama assembly plant.
DecodeAnyVin maps those codes for Hyundai alongside model-year and VDS attributes used on high-volume lines like Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, Santa Fe, Palisade, Ioniq 5, Kona. Use the result to verify a listing — not as a substitute for a title/damage report or a mechanical inspection.
On this page you can paste any Hyundai VIN into the decoder above. We check format (no I, O, or Q), verify the ISO 3779 check digit, resolve the WMI against our registry, and apply Hyundai-specific rules researched from NHTSA vPIC, ISO standards, and manufacturer documentation.
Hyundai WMI prefixes we decode
| WMI | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
KMH | South Korea | Cars |
KM8 | South Korea | SUVs |
5NP | United States | Montgomery, AL |
Remember: a VIN decode shows how the vehicle left the factory. It does not show accidents, title brands, odometer history, or prior owners.
How to Read a Hyundai VIN
Focus on WMI + position 11 when you care where a Hyundai was built. Two vehicles with the same model name can come from different continents.
Reading a Hyundai VIN by hand
Positions 1–3 (WMI). Expected prefixes include KMH (South Korea), KM8 (South Korea), 5NP (United States). KMH/KM8 indicate South Korea; 5NP indicates Hyundai's Montgomery, Alabama assembly plant.
Position 4 (Vehicle Line). Common mappings in our decoder: brand-specific line codes.
Position 5. Usually series, trim, or drivetrain detail for Hyundai.
Position 8 (engine / related). Examples: engine / market codes that vary by year.
Position 9. ISO 3779 check digit — DecodeAnyVin validates this automatically.
Position 10. Model year on the standard 30-year letter/digit cycle.
Position 11. Assembly plant. Examples: Hyundai plant letters.
Positions 12–17. Production serial unique to that plant line.
Hyundai-specific quirks to watch
- VDS codes (4–8) can change when Hyundai launches a new platform — charts from a different decade may mislead.
- North American market VINs follow FMVSS 565; vehicles imported privately may still use the same WMI system but different catalog data.
- Always cross-check the decoded plant and engine against the door-jamb sticker before ordering expensive parts.
Decoded attributes are informational. Confirm engine, trim, and drivetrain against the window sticker, build sheet, or a dealer before purchase, insurance, or registration decisions.
Related reading: How to read a VIN, check digit explained, and verify a VIN against a listing.
Hyundai VIN Position Breakdown
| Pos. | Section | Standard Meaning | Hyundai Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WMI | Country of manufacture | ISO 3779 region code — e.g. 1=USA, J=Japan, W=Germany |
| 2 | WMI | Manufacturer | Combined with pos. 1–3 identifies Hyundai |
| 3 | WMI | Vehicle type | Hyundai WMI codes: KMH (South Korea), KM8 (South Korea), 5NP (United States) |
| 4 | VDS | Vehicle Line | Hyundai-specific model line code |
| 5 | VDS | Series / trim | Trim, series, or drive configuration |
| 6 | VDS | Body / restraint | Body style and/or restraint system (varies by year) |
| 7 | VDS | Restraint / body | Supplemental restraint or body attribute |
| 8 | VDS | Engine | Engine family or displacement code |
| 9 | Check digit | Validation | ISO 3779 weighted-sum check — detects typos and tampering |
| 10 | VIS | Model year | Standard 30-year letter/digit cycle (1980–2039) |
| 11 | VIS | Assembly plant | Hyundai factory code |
| 12–17 | VIS | Serial number | Unique production sequence at the assembly plant |
Frequently Asked Questions — Hyundai VIN
Where do I find the VIN on a Hyundai?
Driver's side dashboard, door jamb sticker, and under the hood on a label near the strut tower.
What does the WMI KMH mean on a Hyundai?
KMH is a World Manufacturer Identifier used on Hyundai vehicles. KMH/KM8 indicate South Korea; 5NP indicates Hyundai's Montgomery, Alabama assembly plant.
Which countries assemble Hyundai vehicles?
Common Hyundai WMI prefixes include KMH (South Korea), KM8 (South Korea), 5NP (United States). Position 11 then narrows the specific factory. Our decoder maps both layers where the manufacturer encoding is documented.
Can I decode a Hyundai VIN for free on DecodeAnyVin?
Yes. Paste your 17-character Hyundai VIN into the form on this page. We validate the ISO 3779 check digit, resolve the WMI, read the model year and plant, and apply Hyundai-specific rules for positions 4–8 where available — no signup required.
Does a Hyundai VIN show the engine?
Often yes. On many Hyundai lines, position 8 (sometimes nearby VDS positions) encodes engine family. Coverage is strongest for high-volume models such as Elantra and Sonata; exotic or late-cycle codes may need dealer confirmation.
How do I know a Hyundai VIN was not altered?
Run the check digit (position 9). Example structure: 5NPET4AC3XDH12345. Also match the windshield VIN to the door-jamb label and reject plates that look restamped or glued. A decode cannot prove title status — only factory identity.
Is the model year on a Hyundai VIN always the calendar year?
No. Position 10 is the manufacturer's model year on the ISO 30-year cycle. A vehicle built in autumn may already carry next year's code. Use it as the factory model year, not the build calendar date.
Which Hyundai models does DecodeAnyVin support?
Any Hyundai with a standard 17-character VIN (typically 1981+), including Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, Santa Fe, Palisade, Ioniq 5, Kona. WMI and year/plant decode work broadly; detailed trim/engine depth depends on documented VDS rules for that platform.