Tesla MS – VIN Decoder

May 26, 2020

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

VIN Locations

The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is visible in 3 locations:

The bottom corner of the driver’s side of the windshield On the driver’s side door jamb Vehicles built before September 2015: On the front crossmember, beneath the rear center underhood apron Vehicles built after September 2015: On the RH sill panel
Note: The above images of the VIN location on the windshield and door jamb show LHD vehicles. The locations are mirrored on RHD vehicles.
Note: Model S in China have the VIN located on the passenger’s side door jamb instead of the driver’s side.
Note: When corresponding with Tesla, always include the VIN (and the drive unit serial number, if necessary).

2012-2016 VIN Decoders

Digits 1-3

World Manufacturing Identifier
5YJ = Tesla

Digit 4

Series Name
S = Model S

Digit 5

2012/2013: Body Type 2014/2015: Body Type 2015/2016: Body Type
A = 5 door Hatchback LHD RWD A = Hatchback 5 door / LHD A = Hatchback/5-DR LHD
B = 5 door Hatchback LHD AWD B = Hatchback 5 door / RHD B = Hatchback/5-DR RHD
C = 5 door Hatchback RHD RWD
D = 5 door Hatchback RHD AWD

Digit 6

2012/2013: Restraint Systems 2014: Restraint Systems 2015: Restraint Systems 2015/2016: Restraint Systems
1 = manual Type 2 USA seat belts, dual front airbags, front/rear side airbags, knee airbags 1 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags, PODS, side inflatable restraints, knee airbags (FR) 1 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags, PODS, side inflatable restraints, knee airbags (FR) 1 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags, PODS, side inflatable restraints, knee airbags (FR)
2 = manual Type 2 EU seat belts, dual front airbags, front/rear side airbags, knee airbags 2 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags, side inflatable restraints, knee airbags (FR)
3 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags, side inflatable restraints 3 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags, side inflatable restraints 3 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags, side inflatable restraints
4 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*2) with front airbags, side inflatable restraints, knee airbags (FR)
5 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*2) with front airbags, side inflatable restraints
6 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags, side inflatable restraints 6 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags, side inflatable restraints
7 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags, side inflatable restraints & active hood 7 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags, side inflatable restraints & active hood 7 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*3) with front airbags, side inflatable restraints & active hood
8 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*2) with front airbags, side inflatable restraints & active hood 8 = Type 2 manual seatbelts (FR, SR*2) with front airbags, side inflatable restraints & active hood

Digit 7

2012/2013: Charger Type 2014/2015: Battery Type 2015: Battery Type 2015/2016: Fuel Type
A = 10 kW Charger H = Lithium-Ion Battery – High Capacity S = Lithium-Ion Battery – Standard Capacity E = Electric
B = 20 kW Charger S = Lithium-Ion Battery – Standard Capacity H = Lithium-Ion Battery – High Capacity
C = 10 kW Charger, w/ DC fast charge V = Lithium-Ion Battery – Ultra High Capacity
D = 20 kW Charger, w/ DC fast charge

Digit 8

2012/2013: Motor / Drive Unit & Battery Type 2014: Motor Drive Unit 2015/2016: Motor/Drive Unit Type
C = Base A/C Motor, Tier 2 battery (31-40 kWh) 1 = Single Motor – Three Phase A/C Induction 1 = Single Motor -Three Phase A/C Induction – Large Base
G = Base A/C Motor, Tier 4 battery (51-60 kWh) 2 = Dual Motors -Three Phase A/C Induction 2 = Dual Motors -Three Phase A/C Induction – Small Base + Small Base
N = Base A/C Motor, Tier 7 battery (81-90 kWh) 3 = Single Motor -Three Phase A/C Induction – Large Performance
P = Performance A/C Motor, Tier 7 battery (81-90 kWh) 4 = Dual Motors -Three Phase A/C Induction – Small Base + Large Performance

Digit 9

The 9th digit is a check digit. A check digit is the result of a mathematical formula based on all other digits in the VIN. It is designed to lower the likelihood of errors and fraud. All vehicles produced in North America are required to have a check digit as the 9th digit of the VIN.

Check Digit
?

Digit 10

2012/2013: Model Year 2014: Model Year 2015: Model Year 2016: Model Year
C = 2012 E = 2014 F = 2015 G = 2016
D = 2013

Digit 11

Plant of Manufacture
F = Fremont, CA, USA

Digits 12-17

2012-2014

2012-2014: Production Sequence
A = Alpha Prototype
B = Beta Prototype
F = Founder Series
P = Production
R = Release Candidate
S = Signature Series

Tesla uses sequential numbers starting with 00001 to represent the production sequence of the vehicle. The production sequence numbering does not start at 00001 with each new model year.

2015/2016

For the following prototype and special series vehicle builds, Tesla uses sequential numbers in digits 13-17, starting with 00001 and ending with 99999.

2015: Production type
A = Alpha Prototype
B = Beta Prototype
R = Release Candidate
S = Signature Series

For normal production vehicles, Tesla uses sequential numbers in digits 12-17, starting with 000001 and ending with 999999.

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