Is this VIN a US car?
Paste a 17-character VIN. We'll tell you right away whether it's a US-market car and show the manufacturer behind the code — the first step before importing a car from the USA.
Enter a VIN above to check it.
How to tell if a VIN is a US car
- 1
The first character shows the region — 1, 4 and 5 mean the United States (2 is Canada, 3 is Mexico).
- 2
The first three characters — the WMI — identify the exact manufacturer and country of build.
- 3
Paste the full VIN above for the exact answer, then run the free decode for the complete factory build.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I know if a VIN is a US car?
- Look at the first character of the 17-character VIN. 1, 4 and 5 mean the car was built for the United States; 2 is Canada and 3 is Mexico. The first three characters (the WMI) name the exact manufacturer. Paste the VIN above to check instantly.
- What does a VIN starting with 1, 4 or 5 mean?
- A VIN that starts with 1, 4 or 5 was manufactured in the United States. These are the US-market cars that official US NHTSA records — decode, safety recalls and owner complaints — cover best.
- Why does it matter if a car is a US car before importing?
- US-market cars can differ from European ones — lighting, emissions, a miles-only cluster — and their full history lives in US records. Confirming a VIN is a US car tells you which checks (NHTSA recalls, US title and salvage records) apply before you import.
Related free tools
More ways to check a vehicle before you buy.