Free VIN decoder
SEAT VIN decoder
Decode a SEAT VIN character by character: what VSS means, the model codes from 6L to KL, the year table, and a free check of what the registries hold on the exact car.
Updated 8 September 2026
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How the free check works
Enter a SEAT 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: SEATs open with VSS, and characters 7 and 8 pin down the model and generation.
How a SEAT VIN is built
SEAT uses the Volkswagen Group layout: VSS in characters 1 to 3 for SEAT in Spain (the Martorell plant near Barcelona), ZZZ filler in 4 to 6 on European cars, the model code in 7 and 8, the model year in 10, an assembly code in 11 and the serial in 12 to 17.
CUPRA models from the years when CUPRA was still a SEAT trim line carry VSS as well, so a CUPRA Ateca decodes exactly like a SEAT.
SEAT model codes (characters 7 and 8)
The codes you will meet most often on the used market:
| Code | Model and generation |
|---|---|
6L | Ibiza III (2002 to 2008) |
6J | Ibiza IV (2008 to 2017) |
KJ | Ibiza V, Arona (2017 on) |
1M | Leon I (1999 to 2006) |
1P | Leon II (2005 to 2012) |
5F | Leon III (2012 to 2020) |
KL | Leon IV (2020 on) |
5P | Altea (2004 to 2015) |
7N | Alhambra II (2010 to 2020) |
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.
The factory build list, by VIN
As a Volkswagen Group make, the VIN unlocks the factory build list: engine and gearbox codes, the paint code, and every option the car left the plant with. Sellers cannot edit it, and equipment added later is not on it.
A MrVIN report includes the build data we can retrieve for the exact VIN alongside the recorded history, and the free preview shows what exists for the car before you pay anything.
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 SEAT
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 a SEAT 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.
What does VSS at the start of a SEAT VIN mean?
SEAT in Spain: the Martorell plant near Barcelona builds nearly the whole range. CUPRA models from the SEAT trim years carry the same code.
Can I see the factory equipment of a SEAT by VIN?
Yes. SEAT is a Volkswagen Group make, so the factory build list was recorded against the VIN at production. A MrVIN report includes the build data we can retrieve for the VIN, with a free preview first.
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 SEAT vehicles. SEAT, CUPRA and the model names on this page are trademarks of their owners, used only to identify the vehicles this page is about.