VIN decoder accuracy
A VIN decode is only as accurate as the manufacturer records behind it. NHTSA vPIC is built from manufacturer submissions and is highly reliable for year, make, model, body, engine and plant, but it is thinner on trim and optional equipment. This page documents which fields decode reliably and which need a window sticker to confirm.
Pricing
Free: VIN decoding and NHTSA safety recall lookups, unlimited, no signup and no credit card. Paid: a full vehicle history report is $9.99 for one VIN, $14.99 for a 3-report pack and $24.99 for a 10-report pack. One-time payment, no subscription and no auto-renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Are free VIN decoders accurate?
For year, make, model, body style, engine and assembly plant, a vPIC-based decode is highly accurate because the data is manufacturer-submitted. Trim and optional equipment are less consistently populated.
What can a VIN not tell you?
A VIN alone does not reveal ownership history, title brands, accidents or odometer readings. Those require NMVTIS-licensed records, which are included in the $9.99 report.
Data sources
- NHTSA vPIC VIN decoding API
- NHTSA safety recall database
- NHTSA complaints database
- NMVTIS (U.S. DOJ) title-brand records
CleanVins is not affiliated with Carfax, AutoCheck, NHTSA or NMVTIS.