- What you'll get from Tesla Model S VIN check?
- Characters 1-3 of a Tesla Model S VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Tesla Model S
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Tesla Model S VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Tesla Model S VIN.
- 10th Character in the Tesla Model S VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Tesla Model S VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Tesla Model S Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Tesla Model S
- How to find a Tesla Model S's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Tesla Model S
What you’ll get from Tesla Model S VIN check?
- Manufacturing Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles manufacturing year, offering insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Plant City: The VIN provides information about the city where the vehicle was assembled, which can give an idea of its production location.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN indicates whether the vehicle is a passenger car or another type of vehicle, offering insights into its primary use.
- Number of Doors: The VIN can indicate the number of doors on the vehicle, providing details about its design and functionality.
- Transmission Type: The VIN may reveal whether the vehicle has an automatic or manual transmission, giving hints about its driving experience.
- Fuel Type: The VIN can provide information about the primary fuel type of the vehicle, offering insights into its fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: Standard safety features for the model can be inferred from the VIN, providing an understanding of its basic safety capabilities.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Tesla Model S VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Tesla Model S VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier, or WMI, is a unique three-letter code that forms the first part of every Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It reveals crucial information about the vehicle, such as the country of origin, the manufacturer, and the type of vehicle. For the Tesla Model S, the WMI is 5YJ, indicating that the vehicle is manufactured by Tesla, Inc. in the United States. This code is standardized across the automotive industry to ensure that every vehicle can be universally identified and distinguished from others.
List of WMI Codes for a Tesla Model S
WMI: 5YJ
- Model Years Covered: 2012-2023
- Example VIN: 5YJSA1CN0CFP03056
- Manufacturer Name: Tesla, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Austin
- State or Province: Texas
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Tesla Model S VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a Tesla Model S:
| Known VDS for a Tesla Model S | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SA1CN | SA1DP | SA1DN | SA1CP | SA1BC | SA1BG | SA1CG | SA1AG | SA1DG | SA1AC |
| SA1H1 | SA1H2 | SA1S1 | SA1H4 | SA1E2 | SA4H4 | SA4H1 | SA4V4 | SA1V2 | SA1E1 |
| SA1S2 | SA1V1 | SA4H2 | SA4S2 | SA4E4 | SA1E4 | SA1V4 | SAAE4 | SA1E6 | SA1E5 |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Tesla Model S VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Tesla Model S VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| P | 2023 Tesla Model S |
| N | 2022 Tesla Model S |
| M | 2021 Tesla Model S |
| L | 2020 Tesla Model S |
| K | 2019 Tesla Model S |
| J | 2018 Tesla Model S |
| H | 2017 Tesla Model S |
| G | 2016 Tesla Model S |
| F | 2015 Tesla Model S |
| E | 2014 Tesla Model S |
| D | 2013 Tesla Model S |
| C | 2012 Tesla Model S |
11th Character in the Tesla Model S VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Tesla Model S Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Fremont | California | United States | Tesla-Fremont, Ca (Fre) | 5YJSA1CN0CFP03056 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Tesla Model S
The final 6 characters in a Tesla Model S’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Tesla Model S’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Tesla Model S is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your Tesla Model S, where the VIN can usually be seen from outside the vehicle.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb for a label or sticker that may contain the VIN of your Tesla Model S.
- Examine the vehicle registration documents, where the VIN of your Tesla Model S will be clearly listed.
- Check your Tesla Model S’s insurance card or policy, as the VIN is typically printed on these documents for identification purposes.
- Consult the owner’s manual or service records for the VIN, as these documents often have it recorded for your Tesla Model S.
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Don’t have your Tesla Model S’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Tesla Model S
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Standard |
| Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) | Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Standard |
| Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only) | Standard |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Battery Type | Lithium-Ion/Li-Ion |
| Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) | Standard |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Doors | 5 |
| EV Drive Unit | Dual Motor |
| Electrification Level | BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Event Data Recorder (EDR) | Standard |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Electric |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Centering Assistance | Optional |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Standard |
| Model | Model S |
| Model Year | 2023 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Other Engine Info | P2 Dual Motor |
| Other Restraint System Info | Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) / PODS |
| Parking Assist | Optional |
| Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) | Standard |
| Plant City | Fremont |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | California |
| Rear Automatic Emergency Braking | Standard |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Standard |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 1 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 5YJSA1E5*PF |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample VIN | 5YJSA1E50PF498454 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Tesla Model S for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Tesla Model S?
On most Tesla vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Tesla Model S's history for free?
Enter the Tesla Model S’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Tesla Model S VIN numbers start with?
Tesla Model S VIN's start with 5YJ for vehicles manufactured by Tesla, Inc. in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Tesla Model S.
Decode a Tesla VIN
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