VIN Validator

How it is calculated

The 17 characters are turned into numbers: digits keep their value, letters map to 1-9 (A=1 … H=8, J=1 … N=5, P=7, R=9, S=2 … Z=9). The letters I, O and Q are never allowed in a VIN, so the tool rejects them. Each value is multiplied by a fixed position weight and the products are added.

check = (Σ valuei × weighti) mod 11, with weights 8,7,6,5,4,3,2,10,0,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2. A remainder of 10 is written as X. Position 9 itself has weight 0. The VIN is valid when the computed character equals the 9th character. This validates the check-digit scheme only; it does not prove the vehicle exists.

Common mistakes

• Typing the letter O or I where the digit 0 or 1 was meant. These letters are not allowed in a VIN, so the tool rejects the entry instead of checking it.
• Entering fewer or more than 17 characters, for example an older pre-1981 chassis number or a VIN with spaces copied in the middle.
• Assuming a valid result means the VIN is genuine: a typo can still happen to pass the check, and the check digit scheme is mainly used on North American vehicles, so many VINs from other markets will not satisfy it.
• Misreading similar-looking characters such as 8 and B, or 5 and S, which changes the weighted sum and flips the result to invalid.