Free 2016 Tesla Model S VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2016 Tesla Model S VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2016 Tesla Model S VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. The WMI forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides specific information about the vehicle, including its place of manufacture, vehicle type, and the brand. For instance, the WMI for a 2016 Tesla Model S is “5YJ,” which indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Tesla, Inc., in the United States, specifically in Austin, Texas. This code is crucial for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes, offering a standardized method to distinguish vehicles on a global scale. The WMI is a key component in understanding the origins and specifications of any vehicle, including the 2016 Tesla Model S.

List of WMI Codes for a 2016 Tesla Model S

WMI: 5YJ

• Model Years Covered: 2012-2023
• Example VIN: 5YJSA1E10GF120101
• 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 2016 Tesla Model S 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 2016 Tesla Model S:

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 2016 Tesla Model S 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 2016 Tesla Model S VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2016 Tesla Model S VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2016 Tesla Model S Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2016 Tesla Model S

The final 6 characters in a 2016 Tesla Model S’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 2016 Tesla Model S VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as the year 2016, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN can provide basic information about the Tesla Model S, such as it being a Battery Electric Vehicle with a 3 Phase A/C Induction engine, offering insights into its propulsion system.
• Electrification Level and Fuel Type: The VIN may detail the vehicle’s electrification as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), indicating that its primary fuel type is electric, although there’s a possibility of other fuel sources.
• Safety Features: The VIN often includes safety feature details, potentially revealing the presence of 1st row airbags (driver and passenger), knee airbags, and side airbags for both the driver and passenger, providing insights into the vehicle’s safety equipment.
• Body Class and Doors: It might specify the body class as Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with a specification of 5 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and structure, although there’s a chance of variation in the body class and door count.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN can classify the vehicle within a certain weight rating, such as Class 1: 6,000 lb or less, potentially offering insights into its size and capacity.
• Manufacturing Details: Plant location, including city (Fremont), state (California), and country (United States), often is encoded within the VIN, indicating where the vehicle was assembled, although there’s a chance of variation in manufacturing locations.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2016 Tesla Model S

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