Getting Started
Decode a VIN in Vehicle Fair Trade
The VIN is the starting point for the rest of the appraisal. Decode it and most of the vehicle details fill in automatically. VIN decoding is free on every plan.
Enter a 17-character VIN and VFT decodes it into the vehicle’s make, model, year, trim, and engine, the fields you would otherwise type by hand. It is free on every plan and is the first step of every evaluation.
Step 1: Enter the 17-character VIN
Type or paste the VIN and select Decode VIN. A VIN is always 17 characters and never uses the letters I, O, or Q, because they are easily confused with 1 and 0. When a decode fails, that confusion is the usual cause, for example an O entered where there is a zero.
Step 2: Check the decoded details
VFT fills in the make, model, year, trim, and engine from the VIN. Review the result against the vehicle in front of you. From here you are most of the way into an evaluation.
What the VIN tells you beyond the specs
The VIN carries more than the spec sheet:
- The first digit is the country of origin, and it can move the wholesale price by thousands of dollars. A 1 is not the same as a 3 to a buyer. (Here is why.)
- The factory build behind the trim is confirmed by the OEM window sticker.
- A starting value comes from Canadian Black Book, matched to that exact VIN.
FAQ
What is a VIN?
The Vehicle Identification Number, a unique 17-character code for one specific vehicle. It excludes the letters I, O, and Q.
Is decoding a VIN free?
Yes. The VIN decoder is free on every plan, including the free tier.
Why won’t my VIN decode?
Usually a typo: an O entered for a zero, or fewer than 17 characters. VINs never contain I, O, or Q, so check those first.
Does decoding give me the value?
No. Decoding gives you the specifications. The value comes from the Canadian Black Book lookup and from the bids your wholesalers return.
Does the VIN show where the car was built?
Yes, the first digit. The country-of-origin breakdown explains how much it affects value.