How to decode a 2012 Tesla Model S VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Tesla Model S VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, its country of origin, and the type of vehicle. For the 2012 Tesla Model S, the WMI “5YJ” signifies that the vehicle was produced by Tesla, Inc., indicating the manufacturer’s historical lineage in electric vehicle production. This specific WMI code also locates the vehicle’s assembly in Austin, Texas, United States, highlighting Tesla’s expansive operational footprint within the country. As part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the WMI provides essential insights into the vehicle’s origin and type, serving as a pivotal reference for regulatory compliance, ownership verification, and manufacturing details. The 2012 Tesla Model S’s WMI underscores its position as a pioneering passenger car in the electric vehicle market, reflecting Tesla’s role in the automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 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 2012 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 2012 Tesla Model S:

Known VDS for a 2012 Tesla Model S
SA1CN	SA1DP	SA1DN	SA1CP

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 2012 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 2012 Tesla Model S VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

11th Character in the 2012 Tesla Model S VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 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 2012 Tesla Model S

The final 6 characters in a 2012 Tesla Model S’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Tesla Model S’s VIN below:

How to find a 2012 Tesla Model S’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Tesla Model S is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Tesla Model S. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate affixed to the dashboard.
Inspect the driver’s side door jamb of your Tesla Model S. The VIN can typically be found on a sticker or label where the door latches when closed.
Look at the front of the engine block, as many vehicles, including the Tesla Model S, have the VIN stamped onto the engine itself.
Examine the rear wheel well above the tire. On some vehicles, you can find the VIN in this area, which may also apply to your Tesla Model S.
Review your Tesla Model S vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or the title (sometimes referred to as the pink slip); the VIN will be listed on these documents.

What info can a 2012 Tesla Model S VIN reveal?

Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, being the year 2012, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle. It also depicts the specific make as a Tesla Model S, showcasing how details such as the manufacture year and brand are encoded.
Electrification Level and Fuel Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), which suggests it is powered purely by electricity, highlighting the vehicle’s environmental efficiency and the absence of traditional fossil fuels.
Battery Capacity and Charging: The data hints at a battery range of 81 to 90 kWh and support for Level 3 DC fast charging, possibly indicating significant electric range and fast recharging capabilities, essential for electric vehicle consumers.
Body Class and Design: The VIN specifies the Tesla Model S as a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 5 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and practicality for potential buyers looking for spacious and accessible vehicles.
Safety Features: Details from the VIN reveal the presence of front airbags in the 1st row for the driver and passenger, knee airbags in the same row, and side airbags for all rows, indicating a high level of passenger safety standards.
Production Details: The information reveals the vehicle’s manufacturing specifics, such as the plant located in Fremont, California, under the Tesla - Fremont, CA (FRE) company name, giving a trace of its production origin and possibly the quality and standards followed during its manufacturing.
Vehicle Type and Specifications: The VIN also discloses that the Tesla Model S is categorized as a Passenger Car with rear-wheel drive and manual seat belts, offering a comprehensive view of the vehicle’s intended use, basic safety measures, driving dynamics, and vehicle control preferences.

Don’t have your 2012 Tesla Model S’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Tesla Model S

Vehicle Spec	Value
Battery Energy (kWh) From	81
Battery Energy (kWh) To	90
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Charger Level	Level 3 DC Charger or fast charger (up to 400A, up to 600V DC, up to 240kW)
Charger Power (kW)	10
Destination Market	U.S.
Doors	5
Drive Type	RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive
Electrification Level	BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
Engine Model	Base, Tier 7 Battery (81-90 kWh)
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)
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	Model S
Model Year	2012
Plant City	Fremont
Plant Company Name	Tesla-Fremont, CA (FRE)
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	California
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	w/DC Fast Charge
Vehicle Descriptor	5YJSA1CN*CF
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	5YJSA1CN0CFP03056