How to decode a 2015 Tesla Model S VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2015 Tesla Model S VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), crucial for identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and specific attributes. For a 2015 Tesla Model S, the WMI “5YJ” signifies the vehicle was manufactured by Tesla, Inc., based in the United States, specifically in Austin, Texas. This code is essential in providing a unique identifier that helps in tracking the vehicle’s history, recalls, and specifications. The WMI is an integral part of the automotive industry’s standard for classifying vehicles, ensuring each car has a unique identity that reflects its manufacturer’s specifics. For the 2015 Tesla Model S, the “5YJ” is a gateway to understanding its beginnings, including its production by Tesla, a leading innovator in electric passenger cars.

List of WMI Codes for a 2015 Tesla Model S

WMI: 5YJ

Model Years Covered: 2012-2023
Example VIN: 5YJSA1H20FF080458
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 2015 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 2015 Tesla Model S:

Known VDS for a 2015 Tesla Model S
SA1H2	SA1H4	SA1E2	SA4H4	SA4H1	SA1H1	SA4V4	SA1V2	SA1E1	SA1S2
SA1V1	SA4H2	SA4S2	SA4E4	SA1S1	SA1E4	SA1V4

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 2015 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 2015 Tesla Model S VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
F	2015

11th Character in the 2015 Tesla Model S VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2015 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		5YJSA1H20FF080458

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2015 Tesla Model S

The final 6 characters in a 2015 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 2015 Tesla Model S’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2015 Tesla Model S is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Tesla Model S, just behind the windshield. The VIN can usually be seen by peering through the windshield from outside the car.
Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your Tesla Model S. When you open the door, you should see a label or sticker attached to the area where the door latch meets the body of the vehicle that has the VIN.
Take a look under the front trunk (frunk) of your Tesla Model S. Once you lift up the hood, there should be a plate or sticker that displays the VIN.
Check the rear wheel well of the Tesla Model S. Sometimes the VIN can be found above the tire on the body of the vehicle.
Inspect the paperwork associated with your Tesla Model S such as the vehicle title, registration, or insurance documents. The VIN will be prominently displayed on all official documentation.

What info can a 2015 Tesla Model S VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it is a 2015 model, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Fuel Type - Primary: This vehicle is indicated to be powered by electricity, suggesting its operation is based on electric fuel type, potentially contributing to its energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.
Battery Type: The VIN details show that the vehicle uses a high-capacity Lithium-Ion/Li-Ion battery, possibly reflecting its electrification level, energy storage capacity, and performance efficiency.
Body Class: The VIN specifies that this vehicle is classified under the Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback body class, with details indicating it has 5 doors, potentially highlighting its convenience, cargo capacity, and design purpose.
Engine Model: According to the VIN, the engine is specified as a 3 Phase A/C Induction with dual motors, possibly underlining the vehicle’s advanced powertrain technology and high-performance capabilities.
Safety Features: Embedded within the VIN are the locations of airbags, including front and knee airbags for the 1st row (Driver and Passenger), potentially highlighting the vehicle’s safety framework and occupant protection features.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN encodes assembly specifics, such as the plant city being Fremont, the plant country as the United States, and the state as California, offering insights into its production origin and potential historical significance.

Don’t have your 2015 Tesla Model S’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2015 Tesla Model S

Vehicle Spec	Value
Battery Type	Lithium-Ion/Li-Ion
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Doors	5
EV Drive Unit	Single Motor
Electrification Level	BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
Engine Model	3 Phase A/C Induction (Single Motor)
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	2015
Other Battery Info	Battery Capacity: High
Other Restraint System Info	Type 2 Manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3), PODS
Plant City	Fremont
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	California
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Vehicle Descriptor	5YJSA1H1*FF
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	5YJSA1H10FF080418