How to decode a 2010 Tesla Roadster VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2010 Tesla Roadster VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter codes designated to every vehicle manufacturer worldwide. For the 2010 Tesla Roadster, the WMI is “5YJ”, which identifies Tesla, Inc. as the manufacturer. This code not only specifies Tesla as the vehicle maker but also indicates important details about the vehicle itself, such as it being a passenger car produced in the United States, specifically in Austin, Texas. The WMI is a crucial element of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is used globally to track and identify individual motor vehicles. The use of WMI codes, like “5YJ” for Tesla, plays a foundational role in vehicle registration, identification, and regulatory compliance worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 2010 Tesla Roadster

WMI: 5YJ

Model Years Covered: 2008, 2010-2011
Example VIN: 5YJRE1A11A1000563
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 2010 Tesla Roadster 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 2010 Tesla Roadster:

Known VDS for a 2010 Tesla Roadster
RE1A1	RE1A3

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 2010 Tesla Roadster 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 2010 Tesla Roadster VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
A	2010

11th Character in the 2010 Tesla Roadster VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2010 Tesla Roadster Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
1	Menlo Park	California	United States	Tesla	5YJRE1A11A1000563

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2010 Tesla Roadster

The final 6 characters in a 2010 Tesla Roadster’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2010 Tesla Roadster’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2010 Tesla Roadster is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Tesla Roadster. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield on a metal or plastic identification plate.
Look at the driver’s side door jamb in your Tesla Roadster for a sticker or a plate that contains the VIN, this is where the door latches when it is closed.
Check any paperwork related to your Tesla Roadster such as the title, registration, or insurance documents, as the VIN will be printed on these documents.
Inspect the front of the car frame, near the windshield washer fluid container in your Tesla Roadster, as it sometimes contains the VIN etched onto it.

What info can a 2010 Tesla Roadster VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2010, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Fuel Type: The VIN specifies the vehicle as Electric, indicating the car’s energy source and hinting at its environmental impact due to its BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) electrification level.
Body Class: The VIN details the body class as Convertible/Cabriolet, which provides insights into the vehicle’s design and potential lifestyle suitability.
Engine Model: The VIN includes specific information such as the Tesla M6B Motor, offering a clue to the vehicle’s performance characteristics and manufacturer-specific engine technology.
Safety Features: Safety specifications like 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) front air bag locations and Type 2 seat belts reveal critical safety equipment designed for occupant protection.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN informs that the vehicle was assembled in Menlo Park, California, United States by the plant company Tesla, uncovering the vehicle’s origins and giving an idea of its manufacturing quality.
Vehicle Type and Market: The VIN identifies the vehicle as a Passenger Car destined for the U.S. market, providing context about regulatory compliance and market-specific features.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2010 Tesla Roadster

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Destination Market	U.S.
Electrification Level	BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
Engine Model	Tesla M6S Motor
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Electric
Model	Roadster
Model Year	2010
Other Restraint System Info	Type 2 seat belts and dual standard front airbags
Plant City	Menlo Park
Plant Company Name	Tesla
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	California
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Vehicle Descriptor	5YJRE1A3*A1
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	5YJRE1A30A1000622