Toyota VIN Lookup

Toyota has used a variety of VIN number formats over the years. Prior to 1998, vehicle VIN numbers were not standardized for the world market, but U.S.-destined cars used a standardized VIN beginning in 1992. That format is in use today.

VIN numbers are good for several things to the used car buyer. First and foremost, an altered VIN number indicates a likelihood the car is stolen. VIN numbers tell what year, make, and engine a vehicle was originally equipped with by the factory. VIN numbers can also detail the country, region, and plant the vehicle was made in.

The VIN number is useful for verifying that a vehicle is equipped as it should be, and is essential in finding out about safety recalls. Recalls are issued based on a range of VIN number-equipped vehicles.

A VIN number also contains a number, known as a check digit. The check digit functions as an identifier. An astute car buyer can use an algorithm to determine if the VIN number is valid by using the numbers and letters contained in the VIN.

Owners will typically find VIN numbers in a variety of locations. The most readily identifiable location all modern vehicles include is the driver’s side of the front windshield. It is common for vehicle manufacturers to place a VIN number on the driver’s door jamb as well. Often, VIN numbers will be stamped on various structural and body components. These locations are useful for ensuring a vehicle has all its original parts. This is called a numbers-matching car.

Toyota VIN numbers begin with three letters and numbers. These are called the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI). The WMI is created by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and is enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA).

Every vehicle sold in the U.S. will have a WMI. The WMI will begin with the Country of Manufacture. Toyota codes for the Country Identifier are:

Position Two is the Manufacturer. Toyota uses at least five different codes for this position.

All modern Toyota VIN numbers will have a code in the third position that indicates the type of vehicle. Toyota uses the following codes:

The Fourth position indicates the body style of the vehicle for modern Toyota vehicles.

Position Five for newer Toyota vehicles indicates the engine.

Position Six is optional and only applies to Toyota Trucks built on the Toyota Land Cruiser chassis. Note that the use of the letter O and the number 0 are no longer allowed on U.S. vehicles.

Toyota VIN numbers include information about the original safety equipment installed by the factory. The following codes denote safety features in Position Seven:

Position Eight is the model of Toyota.

Position Nine is the check number. This number represents the result of an algorithm using alpha-numeric transliteration. This check number is used to ensure a VIN number is a valid VIN.

Position Ten is the model year. This is the year the model was built. In some rare cases, vehicles sold in a different year than manufactured may indicate a different year of vehicle between the VIN number and the registration.

Note: O, Q, and V are not used in VIN numbers due to the ease of confusing one with another. Formerly, car thieves could modify a VIN and obscure the vehicle from being identified as stolen.

Position 11 is the code for the plant that made the vehicle. Toyota VIN numbers include the following plant codes:

The remainder of the VIN number is the serial number. Serial numbers are largely random and do not indicate early- or late-production vehicles.