How to decode a 2017 Tesla Model 3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2017 Tesla Model 3 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and consists of the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This code specifies the manufacturer, vehicle type, and country of origin. For instance, Tesla, Inc., an electric vehicle manufacturer based in Austin, Texas, United States, has been assigned the WMI 5YJ for its 2017 through 2023 Model 3 passenger cars. This identifier helps differentiate Tesla vehicles from those of other manufacturers and ensures that each vehicle can be uniquely identified worldwide, enhancing tracking and regulation compliance.

List of WMI Codes for a 2017 Tesla Model 3

WMI: 5YJ

Model Years Covered: 2017-2023
Example VIN: 5YJ3E1EA0HF000227
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 2017 Tesla Model 3 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 2017 Tesla Model 3:

Known VDS for a 2017 Tesla Model 3
3E1EA

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 2017 Tesla Model 3 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 2017 Tesla Model 3 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
H	2017

11th Character in the 2017 Tesla Model 3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2017 Tesla Model 3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
F	Fremont	California	United States		5YJ3E1EA0HF000227

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2017 Tesla Model 3

The final 6 characters in a 2017 Tesla Model 3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Tesla Model 3’s VIN below:

How to find a 2017 Tesla Model 3’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2017 Tesla Model 3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Tesla Model 3 where it meets the windshield. The VIN can usually be seen through the glass.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb for a sticker or plate that details vehicle information including the VIN.
Inspect the front of the car frame, near where the structure is sealed by the hood; sometimes the VIN can be found in this area on a Tesla Model 3.
Check your vehicle’s registration documents or insurance paperwork, as the VIN for your Tesla Model 3 will be printed there.
Consult the user manual or maintenance records for your Tesla Model 3, as the VIN is often recorded in service and owner documentation.
If your Tesla Model 3 has a front trunk, or frunk, lift it and look for a stamped plaque or sticker in this compartment that may contain the VIN.

What info can a 2017 Tesla Model 3 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle. In this case, the model year is 2017.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 2017 Model 3, this may indicate a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN. However, this data was not provided.
Safety Features: The VIN may provide information about standard safety features such as ABS, ESC, and airbag locations, indicating the vehicle’s focus on safety.
Driver Assistance Technologies: Information on standard and optional driver assistance technologies can often be extracted from the VIN, highlighting the vehicle’s advanced features designed to support driver safety and convenience.
Performance and Design Specifications: The VIN may provide insights into the vehicle’s design and performance features, such as the number of axles, wheels, and seating capacity, detailing the vehicle’s functionality and capacity. However, specific details were not provided in this case.
Price and Electrification Details: The VIN can also reveal specific electrification details such as the base price and motor type, highlighting the vehicle’s electrification level and cost.

Don’t have your 2017 Tesla Model 3’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2017 Tesla Model 3

Vehicle Spec	Value
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)	Optional
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only)	Standard
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Base Price ($)	68000.00
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Standard
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)	Standard
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Doors	4
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electrification Level	BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	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)
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)	Standard
Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA)	Optional
Model	Model 3
Model Year	2017
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	5
Number of Wheels	4
Other Engine Info	Single Motor - Standard
Other Restraint System Info	Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3), PODS
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB)	Optional
Plant City	Fremont
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	California
SAE Automation Level From	1
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Traction Control	Standard
Vehicle Descriptor	5YJ3E1EA*HF
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Wheel Base (inches) From	116.50
Sample_VIN	5YJ3E1EA0HF000227