Free Tesla Roadster VIN Decoder

How to decode a Tesla Roadster VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Tesla Roadster VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial sequence of three characters found in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that reveals the vehicle manufacturer. For the Tesla Roadster, the WMI is 5YJ, which is a unique code assigned to Tesla, Inc. by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This designation not only confirms that the vehicle is a product of Tesla but also indicates that it was manufactured in the United States. The WMI serves as a crucial identifier, enabling the tracing of the vehicle back to its maker and providing insight into its origin when conducting a VIN lookup or evaluating its history and specifications.

List of WMI Codes for a Tesla Roadster

WMI: 5YJ

• Model Years Covered: 2008, 2010-2011
• Example VIN: 5YJRE11B081000184
• 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 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 Tesla Roadster:

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 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 Tesla Roadster VIN — Year Code

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

Known Tesla Roadster Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Tesla Roadster

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

What info can a Tesla Roadster VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2011, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 2011 Tesla Roadster, this may indicate a Coupe with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN. In the case of the 2011 Tesla Roadster, it is a 4x2, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
• Fuel Efficiency: The VIN indicates that the primary fuel type of the vehicle is electric, possibly reflecting its eco-friendly and energy-efficient nature.
• Manufacturer: The VIN identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle as Tesla, Inc., offering insights into the company behind the production of the vehicle.
• Plant State: The VIN reveals that the vehicle was manufactured in California, providing details about its production location.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Tesla Roadster