How to decode a Tesla Model 3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Tesla Model 3 VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code that is part of every vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and serves as an identifier for the vehicle’s manufacturer. For the Tesla Model 3, the WMI is 5YJ, signaling that the electric car was produced by Tesla, Inc., a renowned American electric vehicle and clean energy company. The WMI not only indicates the manufacturer but can also reveal the country where the company’s headquarters are located, which in the case of Tesla is the United States. Specifically, Model 3 vehicles with the 5YJ WMI are made with the design and performance standards that Tesla’s reputation is built upon, ensuring each car reflects the brand’s commitment to innovation and sustainable transportation.

List of WMI Codes for a Tesla Model 3

WMI: 5YJ

Model Years Covered: 2017-2023
Example VIN: 5YJ3E1EA0HF000227
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 Tesla Model 3 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 Tesla Model 3:

Known VDS for a Tesla Model 3
3E1EA	3E1EB	3EAEC	3E1EC	3EAEB

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 Tesla Model 3 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 Tesla Model 3 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
P	2023 Tesla Model 3
N	2022 Tesla Model 3
M	2021 Tesla Model 3
L	2020 Tesla Model 3
K	2019 Tesla Model 3
J	2018 Tesla Model 3
H	2017 Tesla Model 3

11th Character in the Tesla Model 3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Tesla Model 3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
F	Fremont	California	United States		5YJ3E1EA0HF000227

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Tesla Model 3

The final 6 characters in a Tesla Model 3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a Tesla Model 3’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your Tesla Model 3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your Tesla Model 3 to spot the VIN.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb for a VIN sticker on your Tesla Model 3.
Inspect the rear wheel well; sometimes the VIN can be found on the body of the vehicle in this area on a Tesla Model 3.
Check your Tesla Model 3’s insurance card or policy, as the VIN is typically listed there.
Review the vehicle title and registration documents related to your Tesla Model 3 to find the VIN.

What info can a Tesla Model 3 VIN reveal?

Manufacturing Plant Location: The VIN may provide information about where the Tesla Model 3 was manufactured, possibly indicating a location such as Fremont, California.
Vehicle Type: The VIN could indicate that the Tesla Model 3 is categorized as a passenger car.
Transmission Type: The VIN might reveal whether the Tesla Model 3 has an automatic transmission.
Fuel Type: The VIN can possibly specify that the Tesla Model 3 is powered by electricity, suggesting it may be an electric vehicle.
Safety Features: Standard safety features, such as airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and more, may be inferred from the VIN.

Don’t have your Tesla Model 3’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Tesla Model 3

Vehicle Spec	Value
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)	Standard
Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB)	Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN)	Standard
Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound (for Hybrid and EV only)	Standard
Backup Camera	Standard
Battery Energy (kWh) From	79.5
Battery Type	Lithium-Ion/Li-Ion
Blind Spot Intervention (BSI)	Standard
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Standard
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Charger Level	Level 3 DC Charger or fast charger (up to 400A, up to 600V DC, up to 240kW)
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)	Standard
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Doors	4
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
EV Drive Unit	Dual Motor
Electrification Level	BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Standard
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)
Headlamp Light Source	LED
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Lane Centering Assistance	Standard
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)	Standard
Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA)	Standard
Model	Model 3
Model Year	2022
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	5
Other Engine Info	Dual Motor – Standard
Other Restraint System Info	Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3), PODS
Parking Assist	Standard
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB)	Standard
Plant City	Fremont
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	California
Rear Automatic Emergency Braking	Standard
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Standard
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Traction Control	Standard
Transmission Speeds	1
Transmission Style	Automatic
Vehicle Descriptor	5YJ3E1EB*NF
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	5YJ3E1EB0NF101188