Porsche VIN decoder
Enter a Porsche VIN to see the model, year, engine, factory and open safety recalls. Free, with official NHTSA data.
About Porsche VINs
Porsche sports cars start with WP0 and its SUVs, the Cayenne and Macan, with WP1. On recent models positions 7-8 usually repeat the first digits of the internal type number; for example, 99 is used for the 911.
Porsche is part of Volkswagen Group.
Good to know
- Porsche options are listed on the vehicle data label in the front trunk and in the service book, not in the VIN.
- A Certificate of Authenticity from Porsche confirms the factory specification for a VIN.
- The 11th character shows the plant: Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Leipzig or Osnabrück.
Porsche manufacturer codes (WMI)
The first three characters of a VIN are the World Manufacturer Identifier. NHTSA lists 2 codes for Porsche. The first character shows the region where the vehicle was built (1, 4, 5 USA; 2 Canada; 3 Mexico; J Japan; K Korea; W Germany; Z Italy).
| Code | Manufacturer | Country | Vehicle type | Also used by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WP0 | Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche AG | Germany | Passenger Car | – |
| WP1 | Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche AG | Germany | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | – |
How to read a Porsche VIN
| Position | Meaning | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1-3 | Manufacturer code (WMI) | Maker, brand and country, as in the table above. |
| 4-8 | Vehicle descriptor | Model, body, engine and safety equipment. Each maker sets its own layout here. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that catches typing errors and fake VINs. |
| 10 | Model year | A letter or number for the year (see the table below). |
| 11 | Assembly plant | The factory code, set by the maker. |
| 12-17 | Serial number | The production number of that vehicle. |
Model year codes
The 10th character of a Porsche VIN is the model year. Letters I, O, Q, U, Z and the number 0 are never used. The codes repeat every 30 years.
Porsche models in the NHTSA database
NHTSA lists 15 model names under Porsche. Decode a VIN to see which one yours is, with its exact trim and engine.
- 718 Boxster
- 718 Cayman
- 718 Spyder
- 911
- 918
- 924
- 928
- 944
- 968
- Boxster
- Cayenne
- Cayman
- Macan
- Panamera
- Taycan
Vehicle types NHTSA lists for Porsche
Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), Passenger Car
Where to find the VIN on a Porsche
Windshield
At the bottom of the windshield on the driver side, readable from outside.
Driver door frame
On the label on the door pillar, with tire pressures and weights.
Papers
On the title, registration and insurance card.
Porsche recalls by VIN
Every decoded Porsche VIN on VinGear shows the safety recalls NHTSA lists for that model and year. To know whether the repair was already done on your vehicle, ask a Porsche dealer or use Porsche's own recall lookup with the VIN.
Porsche VIN decoder questions
How do I decode a Porsche VIN?
Type the 17-character VIN in the box at the top of this page and press Decode VIN. You get the model, year, engine, factory and safety recalls from NHTSA, free.
Is this Porsche VIN decoder free?
Yes. Decoding and recall checks are free with no sign-up. The data comes from NHTSA, the US vehicle safety agency.
What do the first three characters of a Porsche VIN mean?
They are the manufacturer code (WMI): maker, brand and country of manufacture. NHTSA lists 2 codes for Porsche; the table on this page shows them.
Does a Porsche VIN show options or the owner?
No. The VIN codes the model, body, engine and factory, not options or colour. It never shows the owner, and VinGear does not look up owners.