Free VIN decoder
Opel VIN decoder
Decode an Opel VIN character by character: W0L against W0V, the year table for the GM era, and a free check of what the registries hold on the exact car.
Updated 8 September 2026
Example: Free preview included
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How the free check works
Enter an Opel VIN in the box above and we check it against official registries and manufacturer build data, with a free preview of what exists for the exact car. The tables below decode the number by hand, and the opening code alone tells you which era of Opel you are looking at.
Opel WMI codes (characters 1 to 3)
Two codes split the Opel decades:
| Code | What they say |
|---|---|
W0L | Opel of the GM era, which is most Opels on the used market |
W0V | Opel from about 2019, after the ownership change |
The right hand drive Vauxhall versions of the same cars were built on the same lines, and imports go both ways across the Channel. The check reads either badge: it is the same car underneath.
Model year codes (character 10)
This make follows the industry standard year code at position 10, in a 30 year cycle. The letters I, O, Q, U and Z and the digit 0 are never used:
| Code | First cycle | Current cycle |
|---|---|---|
A | 1980 | 2010 |
B | 1981 | 2011 |
C | 1982 | 2012 |
D | 1983 | 2013 |
E | 1984 | 2014 |
F | 1985 | 2015 |
G | 1986 | 2016 |
H | 1987 | 2017 |
J | 1988 | 2018 |
K | 1989 | 2019 |
L | 1990 | 2020 |
M | 1991 | 2021 |
N | 1992 | 2022 |
P | 1993 | 2023 |
R | 1994 | 2024 |
S | 1995 | 2025 |
T | 1996 | 2026 |
V | 1997 | 2027 |
W | 1998 | 2028 |
X | 1999 | 2029 |
Y | 2000 | 2030 |
1 | 2001 | 2031 |
2 | 2002 | 2032 |
3 | 2003 | 2033 |
4 | 2004 | 2034 |
5 | 2005 | 2035 |
6 | 2006 | 2036 |
7 | 2007 | 2037 |
8 | 2008 | 2038 |
9 | 2009 | 2039 |
A car built late in the year often carries the next year's code, and first registration can lag build by months. A one year gap between the advert and the VIN is normal; a bigger gap is a question for the seller.
What the free check adds
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.
Where to find the VIN on the car
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.
- Windscreen base visible from outside through the glass on the driver side.
- Door jamb sticker on the driver side B pillar on most cars.
- Body stamp under the bonnet, under a floor flap, or in the boot, depending on the make.
- Documents the registration certificate and the service book both carry it, and both must match the metal.
Works for every Opel
The check reads the VIN, not the badge, so every model is covered. The ones buyers look up most:
The same decoding sits behind our partner API: send a VIN, get the identity and the recorded history back as JSON. Dealers, marketplaces and fleets use it to check cars before listing them.
Read the VIN decoder API reference →
Decode your VIN now
See what the registries hold on the exact car: recorded mileage, damage, imports and the factory build. The preview of the findings is free.
Example: WVWZZZ1JZ3W386752Free preview included
Not ready yet? See a full sample report
Frequently asked questions
Can I decode an Opel VIN for free?
Yes. The tables on this page decode the structure by hand, and the check box runs the VIN against official registries and manufacturer build data with a free preview of what exists for the exact car. Only the full history report is paid.
Does every Opel VIN show the model year?
Opels of the GM era, the W0L cars, carry the year code at position 10 and the table on this page reads it. The newest generations built on French group platforms may not follow it, so when the character makes no sense against the table, date the car through records instead.
What is the difference between W0L and W0V?
The era. W0L is the GM decades, W0V the cars built after the ownership change of 2017, roughly from 2019 onwards. The split matters when decoding: the two eras follow different internal layouts.
What can a VIN check tell me that the VIN itself cannot?
Everything that happened after the factory: odometer readings recorded at inspections and services, damage and theft records, the import trail across countries, and the factory specification to compare against the advert. The preview of those findings is free at MrVIN.
Decode another make
MrVIN is operated by VERIFY SIA and is independent of the maker of Opel vehicles. Opel, Vauxhall and the model names on this page are trademarks of their owners, used only to identify the vehicles this page is about.