How Do I Decode a Toyota VIN Number?

Did you know that every car has a VIN? If you didn’t, it’s time to learn more, especially if you own that Toyota. What’s the model? It doesn’t matter here since what we will share with you reflects on everything.

The VIN (or VIN number, as folks call it) is a 17-digit character found in various places. We will look into that too. Now, why is that number essential, and what does it contain? Finding more information means decoding the characters.

We will also discuss that as you learn how to do it within a few minutes.

What is a Toyota VIN Decoder?

For you to get the contents that the characters hide, you need a VIN decoder. By now, we presume you already know what a VIN is by reading the introduction. If you still don’t get it, here is a simple explanation.

A VIN is a 17-digit character code that tells you more about a vehicle. It’s found in various places, as we will see. This number acts as the car’s DNA. That means no two vehicles can have the exact VIN.

To get the meaning of such characters, in this case, Toyota, you need a Toyota VIN decoder. It will tell you what each character means and if the VIN is fake in the first place. Where do you get such a decoder?

All you need is to access a website like Vinpit, and the rest will be history. Before we jump to that, let’s see where Toyota manufacturers engrave the VIN.  

Where Do You Find a Toyota VIN?

In most cases, you will find the VIN on the bottom of the windscreen on the driver’s side. Most cars have the VIN on that part too. In a Toyota, you will also get the number on a sticker found on the door jamb.

If you have an earlier model, you may get a metallic plate instead of a tamper-proof sticker. The sticker is mainly on the driver’s door, but you also get it on the passenger side. Other places you can find the VIN include the chassis, where you get a metallic plate.

It’s mainly under the right side of the driver’s seat. You can also open the front hood to get it on the plate separating the engine and the dashboard. There are exceptions, though, depending on the model.

In the Hilux pickup, for example, the sticker is on the rear door. If you have the Aygo model, you can see the VIN on the inside part of the back door.

Once you find the number, write it down or take a photo using your phone. After that, you can perform a quick VIN lookup on reputable websites such as Vinpit.

How to Decode Toyota VIN Decoder via VinPit?

Do you have the VIN ready? The decoding process is easy since you will have the assistance of a decoder. One of them is Vinpit. We will show you how to use it to decode the Toyota VIN.

Step 1: Search for the website via your favorite browser. Once you locate Vinpit, click the VIN Decoder tab at the top navigation bar.

Step 2: There will be an input field on the page. You can type the VIN characters there. Make sure they are 17 before hitting the ‘Start Search’ button.

Step 3: If you want a dedicated Toyota VIN lookup, you can scroll down. You will get a section near the bottom with the heading ‘VIN Decoder by Make.’ Locate the Toyota link and click on it.

Step 4: Wait for Vinpit to peruse the database for a few seconds. After that, you will get a report with all the information decoded from the VIN.

What Information Do You Get from a Toyota VIN Decoder?

You will get the information from the VIN, but what does it mean? The details below will help you understand what you see in the report.

1^st Character

This is the character that shows Toyota’s geographical origin. The letter or number you see depends on where the car was manufactured. If the car is from America, you will see a number.

If it’s not from the American region, you get a letter.

2^nd Character

This is the automaker’s identifier. Every manufacturer has a letter that signifies them. In this case, T will be the second character since it’s a Toyota.

3^rd Character

The third place has the letter or number that shows the car’s division. Your Toyota could be a pickup, sedan, hatchback, or SUV. You will know more about that through what’s in the third position.

4^th to 8^th Characters

These are the letters and numbers describing the Toyota you possess or are researching before purchasing. You will learn more about the style, transmission type, body, model, etc.

9^th Character

This is the number that tells you whether the VIN is valid. It contains a complex mathematical formula that helps identify the VIN’s origin. If the whole alphanumeric representation is fake, you will not get the VIN lookup results.

10^th Character

This is where you learn more about the year the model got released. It could be a letter or number, depending on the year of release. Since 2010, letters have taken the 10^th position, and the trend will continue up to 2030.

At times, the model year is different from the year of release. If that’s the case, please note that Toyota sometimes sells its cars before announcing the model’s release.

11^th Character

The 11th digit is where you get the plant information. It represents where the Toyota was assembled. You can also verify the plant’s details online for all the available Toyota plants.

12^th to 17^th Characters

They form the VIN’s last part and represent the car’s serial number. Others will call it the production sequence. It’s simply the number the Toyota got while on the assembly line.

Conclusion

You now know how to decode a Toyota VIN and what to expect. Before you head online for a lookup, ensure you have a 17-digit VIN. Otherwise, you will always get null results or some fake indication.

After the confirmation, perform a quick VIN check using reputable sites such as Vinpit. You will get the decoded details within a few minutes. If you don’t understand what they mean, we hope our blog’s last part can help clarify that.

It’s time to know more about that Toyota before the purchase or hitting the road.