Ford VIN decoder

The opening code separates the continents, which matters because American Fords are common imports:

European Fords do not use the industry position for the year. Ford stamps a year letter and a month letter late in the number instead, just before the serial, using the same year letters as the industry table: K is 2019, L is 2020, M is 2021 and so on.

The middle of a European Ford VIN belongs to Ford's internal body, model and assembly codes, including a filler pair of X letters that confuses generic decoders. When in doubt, date the car through records: that is what the check above reads.

The VIN describes the car as built. The check above adds what happened since: odometer readings recorded at inspections and services across 30+ European countries, damage and theft records, the import trail, and the manufacturer build data where it is available for the make.

The preview of what exists for the exact car is free, and only the full history report is paid. If the preview looks empty, you have lost nothing.

Check at least two locations and make sure they agree with each other and with the documents. A VIN that differs between locations is a walk away flag on its own.

1. Windscreen base visible from outside through the glass on the driver side.
2. Door jamb sticker on the driver side B pillar on most cars.
3. Body stamp under the bonnet, under a floor flap, or in the boot, depending on the make.
4. Documents the registration certificate and the service book both carry it, and both must match the metal.