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The Tesla VIN is a 17-digit unique identifier that helps track all sorts of information related to a vehicle. It is necessary to have your Tesla VIN to get insurance and a Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement.
This short article provides all you need to know about your Tesla VIN. We’ll review how to get it early, where to see it on the car, and what each digit means.
What Is a Tesla VIN?
A Tesla VIN is a Vehicle Identification Number given to each Tesla vehicle. Most automakers must give each car a VIN.
Every VIN is a unique identifier, meaning no two cars should have the same VIN. They help identify vehicles for crucial items, such as:
- Registration
- Insurance
- Warranty coverage
- Manufacturer recalls
- Tracking records
Where Can You Find Your Car’s Tesla VIN？
You can view your Tesla VIN on the vehicle’s touchscreen. Navigate to ‘Controls’ then ‘Software’ to see it. You can also view it through the Tesla website. After logging in, the VIN is under your vehicle image on the main Dashboard page.
The VIN should also be on your vehicle title, registration, and insurance paperwork.
Tesla VINs are physically printed in three places on each vehicle, including:
- Dashboard: On the driver’s side where it meets the windshield, the VIN is stamped into a metal plate. You can view this from the outside looking through the windshield.
- Door pillar: The Statutory Plate is mounted on the door pillar near the rear end of the driver’s door. It is visible only when the door is open.
- Factory-specific location: A third VIN location depends on the vehicle’s production facility.
- Fremont Factory: Stamped into the pillar near the rear end of the passenger door. Only visible with the upper trim piece removed.
- Gigafactory Berlin: Stamped into the rear passenger door sill. Only visible with the lower trim removed.
- Gigafactory Shanghai: Stamped onto the floor under the passenger seat. Only visible with the seat moved rearward and the carpet lifted.
How Long Is a VIN Number?
A VIN is 17 digits long and includes both numbers and letters. Each character specifies something about the characteristics of the vehicle, relaying information like:
- Manufacturer
- Production facility
- Year produced
- Model
- Trim package
- Other options and factory equipment included
What Can You Tell From Tesla VIN?
Here is what you can tell from your Tesla VIN:
Digits 1-3: World Manufacturer Identifier
Indicates the business entity responsible for manufacturing the vehicle.
| Digits 1-3 | Digits Meaning |
| 5YJ | Fremont, California passenger car (Model S or Model 3) |
| 7SA | Fremont, California MPV (Model X or Model Y) |
| LRW | China |
| XP7 | Germany |
| SFZ | UK (Roadster 1) |
Digit 4: Model
Indicates the Model type of the Tesla vehicle.
| Digit 4 | Digits Meaning |
| S | Tesla Model S |
| X | Tesla Model X |
| 3 | Tesla Model 3 |
| Y | Tesla Model Y |
| R | Tesla Roadster |
Digit 5: Body type and chassis information
Indicates the type of body, what side the driver’s position is on, and other basic chassis information.
| Digit 5 | Digits Meaning |
| A | 5-door left-hand drive (LHD) car |
| B | 5-door right-hand drive (RHD) car |
| C | 5-door LHD large multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) |
| D | 5-door RHD large MPV |
| E | 4-door LHD sedan |
| F | 4-door RHD sedan |
| G | 5-door LHD small MPV |
| H | 5-door RHD small MPV |
Digit 6: Safety information (seat belts and airbags)
Indicates the various safety restraints included on the vehicle, including seat belts, airbags, and other active and passive restraints.
| Digit 6 | Digits Meaning |
| 1 | 2 Front, 3 Rear Seat Belts, Front Airbags, PODS, Side Inflatable Restraints, Knee Airbags (Front) |
| 2 | Pre 2014 cars |
| 3 | 2 Front, 2 Rear Seat Belts, Front Airbags, Side Inflatable Restraints, Knee Airbags (Front) |
| 4 | 2 Front, 3 Rear Seat Belts, Front Airbags, Side Inflatable Restraints, Knee Airbags (Front) |
| 5 | 2 Front, 2 Rear Seat Belts, Front Airbags, Side Inflatable Restraints |
| 6 | 2 Front, 3 Rear Seat Belts, Front Airbags, Side Inflatable Restraints |
| 7 | 2 Front, 3 Rear Seat Belts, Front Airbags, Side Inflatable Restraints & Active Hood |
| 8 | 2 Front, 2 Rear Seat Belts, Front Airbags, Side Inflatable Restraints & Active Hood |
| A | 2 Front, 3 Rear, 2 3rd Row Seat Belts, Front Airbags, PODS, Side Inflatable Restraints, Knee Airbags (Front) |
| B | 2 Front, 2 Rear, 2 3rd Row Seat Belts, Front Airbags, PODS, Side Inflatable Restraints |
| C | 2 Front, 2 Rear, 2 3rd Row Seat Belts, Front Airbags, PODS, Side Inflatable Restraints |
| D | 2 Front, 3 Rear Seat Belts, Front Airbags, PODS, Side Inflatable Restraints, knee airbags |
Digit 7: Charger and battery
Indicates the type of vehicle or the charger and battery size.
Post-2015: E = Electric
Pre-2015:
| Digit 7 | Digits Meaning |
| A | 10kw charger |
| B | 20kw charger |
| C | 10kw charger with DC fast charge |
| D | 20kw charger with DC fast charge |
| E | Extended Capacity Lithium Ion Battery (90 kWh, P90D Ludicrous) |
| F | Lithium Ion Battery |
| H | High Capacity Lithium Ion Battery (85 kWh) |
| S | Standard Capacity Lithium Ion Battery (60 kWh or 70 kWh after mid 2015) |
| V | Very High Capacity Lithium Ion Battery (90 kWh) |
Digit 8: Motor/drive unit
Indicates how many motors and the specific motor used.
| Digit 8 | Digits Meaning |
| 5 | P2 Dual Motor (Model S and Model X) |
| 6 | P2 Tri Motor (Model S and Model X) |
| A | Single Motor Model 3 |
| B | Dual Motor, Standard Model 3 |
| C | Dual Motor, Performance Model 3 |
| D | Single Motor Model Y |
| E | Dual Motor, Standard Model Y |
| F | Dual Motor, Performance Model Y |
Digit 9: Checksum (used to validate the VIN)
Assigned by manufacturer pursuant to 49 CFR § 565.15(c), used to ensure VINs are not fraudulently replicated.
Digit 10: Model year
Indicates the model year of the Tesla vehicle.
| Digit 10 | Digits Meaning |
| C | 2012 |
| D | 2013 |
| E | 2014 |
| F | 2015 |
| G | 2016 |
| H | 2017 |
| J | 2018 |
| K | 2019 |
| L | 2020 |
| M | 2021 |
| N | 2022 |
| P | 2023 |
Digit 11: Manufacturing Facility
Indicates which manufacturing facility the vehicle was produced in.
| Digit 11 | Digits Meaning |
| 1 | Menlo Park, California |
| 3 | Hethel, United Kingdom |
| A | Austin, Texas |
| B | Berlin, Germany |
| C | Shanghai, China |
| F | Fremont, California |
| N | Reno, Nevada |
| P | Palo Alto, California |
Digit 12
The start of the unique serial number that starts with the specific trim for production models or what type of non-production model it is.
| Digit 12 | Digits Meaning |
| P | Performance |
| S | Signature |
| F | Founders |
| A | Alpha |
| B | Beta |
Digits 13-17: Unique serial number in production sequence
A five-digit number that is based on when it rolls off the production line.
What Information Can I Know About Information via Tesla VIN?
VINs track lots of data related to a vehicle. It can be useful for both current and prospective Tesla owners.
To ensure your vehicle has received all service related to manufacturer recalls, put the VIN into the Tesla Recall Website. These may include vital safety updates. So it’s worth performing this check often.
Many third-party providers offer vehicle history information with your Tesla VIN. These are especially helpful to prospective buyers of used Tesla vehicles. Popular VIN reports include:
- CarFax: Show previous owners, accidents, service records, and more.
- NICB VIN Check: Verifies the car hasn’t been reported as stolen or salvaged.
If you have any insurance claims or serious repairs performed on your Tesla, it can be worthwhile to check your VIN reports. You want to verify they are reported accurately so surprises do not come up when you try to sell your Tesla.
Why Do Tesla Owners Want Their VIN Numbers Quickly?
Tesla owners need their VINs to get insurance and the Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement (MVPA). If you are using bank or credit union financing, they’ll need the VIN and MVPA.
It is only after you have completed these steps that Tesla can provide delivery of the vehicle.
Since Tesla owners buy online and often do not have access to the physical vehicle, they can’t see the VIN in person. Your online Tesla dashboard will list the VIN once the order is processed.
You can check out this YouTube video for a technique to see it before it’s listed on your account.
Our Verdict
Your Tesla VIN is a crucial identifier unique to your car. You can find it through your touchscreen or online dashboard.
The VIN includes information related to the production and features of your vehicle. It can also track service records, insurance claims, and recalls.
Ready for more Tesla information? Head over to our articles about Tesla Maintenance Cost or Premium Connectivity.