How to decode a 2021 Tesla Model X VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2021 Tesla Model X VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to identify the make of the vehicle. The 2021 Tesla Model X, for instance, has a WMI that starts with “5YJ”, indicating that Tesla, Inc., based in Austin, Texas, USA, manufactured it. This identifier, part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), is critical in revealing key information about any car, including its model year, manufacturing location, and vehicle type. Specifically, for the 2021 Tesla Model X, the WMI not only confirms Tesla as the manufacturer but also classifies the vehicle as a passenger car, ensuring precise identification and differentiation in global automotive markets.

List of WMI Codes for a 2021 Tesla Model X

WMI: 5YJ

Model Years Covered: 2016-2021
Example VIN: 5YJXCDE40MF308155
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 2021 Tesla Model X 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 2021 Tesla Model X:

Known VDS for a 2021 Tesla Model X
XCDE4	XCDE2	XCAE2	XCBE2	XCBE5	XCBE4	XCAE4

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 2021 Tesla Model X 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 2021 Tesla Model X VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
M	2021

11th Character in the 2021 Tesla Model X VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2021 Tesla Model X Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
F	Fremont	California	United States		5YJXCDE40MF308155

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2021 Tesla Model X

The final 6 characters in a 2021 Tesla Model X’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Tesla Model X’s VIN below:

How to find a 2021 Tesla Model X’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2021 Tesla Model X is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Tesla Model X, where the VIN is typically visible through the windshield.
Inspect the door pillar on the driver’s side when you open the front door of your Tesla Model X; the VIN can usually be found on a sticker in this area. 3. Check under the front trunk (frunk), as the VIN is sometimes placed in this area in Tesla vehicles.
Examine the rear wheel well; sometimes the VIN is stamped above the tire.
Look for the VIN on official documents related to your Tesla Model X, such as the vehicle registration, title, and insurance policy documents.
Inspect the area around the front bonnet latch or firewall of the vehicle where the VIN might also be displayed.

What info can a 2021 Tesla Model X VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as the year 2021, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, for instance, a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 5 doors, offering clues about the vehicle’s size and capacity.
Electrification Level and Fuel Type: The VIN may disclose if the vehicle is a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), highlighting its primary fuel type as Electric, which is important for understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact and operating costs.
Air Bag Locations: Key safety features like air bag locations in the 1st row (Driver and Passenger) and knee air bag locations can indicate the vehicle’s commitment to occupant safety.
Manufacturing Information: Insights into where the vehicle was manufactured, such as Fremont, California, United States, can provide users with valuable information about production standards and origin.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN can provide details on the vehicle’s weight class, for instance, Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg), which helps in understanding the vehicle’s size and potential usage limitations.
Steering and Seat Belt Type: It also reveals specific features such as the vehicle being Left-Hand Drive (LHD) and having manual seat belts, indicating the driving configuration and basic safety mechanisms.

Don’t have your 2021 Tesla Model X’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2021 Tesla Model X

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Doors	5
Electrification Level	BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Electric
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	Model X
Model Year	2021
Other Engine Info	Dual Motor (performance)
Other Restraint System Info	Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR3, TR2) with front airbags, PODS, side inflatable restraints, knee airbags (FR)
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	5YJXCAE4*MF
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	5YJXCAE40MF311622