Free VIN decoder
Volvo VIN decoder
Decode a Volvo VIN character by character: YV1 against YV4, the year table, 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 a Volvo 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. Volvo plays it straight: the opening code splits cars from SUVs, and the year code at position 10 follows the industry table.
Volvo WMI codes (characters 1 to 3)
The opening code answers the first question about a Volvo:
| Code | What they say |
|---|---|
YV1 | Volvo passenger cars (S and V models) |
YV4 | Volvo SUVs (the XC models) |
LYV | Volvo built in China (some S90 saloons sold in Europe) |
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 Volvo
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 Volvo 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 is the difference between YV1 and YV4?
YV1 opens the passenger cars, the S saloons and V estates. YV4 opens the SUVs, the XC models. An LYV Volvo was built in China, which some European market S90s were.
Does a Volvo VIN show the model year?
Yes, at position 10 against the industry table on this page: L is 2020, K is 2019. Remember model year runs ahead of the calendar, a car built in autumn usually carries the next year's code.
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 Volvo vehicles. Volvo and the model names on this page are trademarks of their owners, used only to identify the vehicles this page is about.