Tesla VIN Check
Every modern Tesla VIN begins with a three-character World Manufacturer Identifier. For Tesla, prefixes such as 5YJ, 7SA, LRW tell you where the vehicle was registered as built and which corporate maker owns the code. 5YJ is the WMI for U.S.-built Teslas; 7SA indicates Gigafactory Berlin; LRW indicates Gigafactory Shanghai.
After the WMI, positions 4–8 describe the vehicle itself — typically line, series, body, restraint, and engine — while positions 9–17 carry the check digit, model year, plant, and serial. That structure is defined by ISO 3779 and, for U.S.-market vehicles, 49 CFR Part 565.
On this page you can paste any Tesla 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 Tesla-specific rules researched from NHTSA vPIC, ISO standards, and manufacturer documentation.
Tesla WMI prefixes we decode
| WMI | Country | Notes |
|---|---|---|
5YJ | United States | Fremont, CA / Austin, TX |
7SA | Germany | Gigafactory Berlin |
LRW | China | Gigafactory Shanghai |
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 Tesla VIN
Here is how DecodeAnyVin interprets a Tesla VIN, and how you can read the same characters manually.
Reading a Tesla VIN by hand
Positions 1–3 (WMI). Expected prefixes include 5YJ (United States), 7SA (Germany), LRW (China). 5YJ is the WMI for U.S.-built Teslas; 7SA indicates Gigafactory Berlin; LRW indicates Gigafactory Shanghai.
Position 4 (Model). Common mappings in our decoder: brand-specific line codes.
Position 5. Usually series, trim, or drivetrain detail for Tesla.
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: Tesla plant letters.
Positions 12–17. Production serial unique to that plant line.
Tesla-specific quirks to watch
- VDS codes (4–8) can change when Tesla 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.
Tesla VIN Position Breakdown
| Pos. | Section | Standard Meaning | Tesla 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 Tesla |
| 3 | WMI | Vehicle type | Tesla WMI codes: 5YJ (United States), 7SA (Germany), LRW (China) |
| 4 | VDS | Model | Tesla-specific model line code |
| 5 | VDS | Drive Unit | 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 | Tesla factory code |
| 12–17 | VIS | Serial number | Unique production sequence at the assembly plant |
Frequently Asked Questions — Tesla VIN
Where do I find the VIN on a Tesla?
Driver's side dashboard (visible through windshield), driver's door jamb, and in the Tesla mobile app under Vehicle Info.
What does the WMI 5YJ mean on a Tesla?
5YJ is a World Manufacturer Identifier used on Tesla vehicles. 5YJ is the WMI for U.S.-built Teslas; 7SA indicates Gigafactory Berlin; LRW indicates Gigafactory Shanghai.
How many WMI prefixes does Tesla use?
Tesla uses multiple WMIs depending on plant and vehicle type. In our registry you will see codes such as 5YJ (United States), 7SA (Germany), LRW (China). The first three characters always identify the manufacturer assignment.
Can I decode a Tesla VIN for free on DecodeAnyVin?
Yes. Paste your 17-character Tesla 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 Tesla-specific rules for positions 4–8 where available — no signup required.
Does a Tesla VIN show the engine?
Often yes. On many Tesla lines, position 8 (sometimes nearby VDS positions) encodes engine family. Coverage is strongest for high-volume models such as Model 3 and Model Y; exotic or late-cycle codes may need dealer confirmation.
How do I know a Tesla VIN was not altered?
Run the check digit (position 9). Example structure: 5YJ3E1EA51JF12345. 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 Tesla 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 Tesla models does DecodeAnyVin support?
Any Tesla with a standard 17-character VIN (typically 1981+), including Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, Cybertruck. WMI and year/plant decode work broadly; detailed trim/engine depth depends on documented VDS rules for that platform.