Volvo VIN decoder

What is Volvo VIN?

Volvo VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a 17-character code unique to every vehicle. You can use it to identify a specific car and learn more about its features and history.

Besides encoding technical details of a vehicle, the VIN number is also used to record various events that happen during its lifetime (accidents, damages, theft, etc.). Therefore, using a Volvo VIN decoder can be a game changer if you’re looking to buy a used car, as this can reduce the chances of overlooking some hidden damage, odometer fraud, and other potential issues that may otherwise stay secret.

Founded nearly 100 years ago in Sweden, Volvo is known for its commitment to safety, durability, and innovation. Over the years, this car manufacturer has earned a reputation as a trusted brand, producing a wide range of vehicles that prioritize driver and passenger well-being while embracing the best vehicle manufacturing practices.

Where to search for the VIN?

A vehicle’s VIN number is located in multiple places and can depend on the brand. However, there are specific common locations where the VIN is usually found in most vehicles.

Here’s where you can find it in Volvo cars:

• Dashboard. Typically, the dashboard is the first place you may want to check when searching for your Volvo VIN number. Often, it’s located on a small metal plate or transparent sticker that you can see through the windshield on the driver’s side.
• Driver’s side door pillar. Open the driver’s door and look for an engraved/printed metal plate or a sticker, often beginning with “YV.”
• Under the hood. In some older Volvo cars, the VIN number can also be found on various engine compartment components, such as the firewall, inner fender, or radiator support.
• The front end of a frame. Some older Volvos have their VINs placed on the inner front wheel arch.
• Vehicle documentation. If you have a vehicle registration or insurance documents nearby, it might be the quickest way to check your Volvo VIN number.

What is Volvo VIN decoder?

VIN lookup is common among individuals and businesses in the automotive industry. If you want to change your car and a Volvo is on your radar, a VIN number lookup can come in handy, especially if it’s a used vehicle.

To check a car’s past, enter its VIN into the VIN decoder and get a vehicle history report, which will uncover a wealth of essential information. This can include past ownership, damage records, odometer readings, theft records (if any), market trends, and more. Having access to this information can help you assess the condition and reliability of a used car you’re about to buy.

How accurate is the information provided by the Volvo VIN decoder?

Using the Volvo VIN decoder is a great way to learn more about a vehicle you own or one you plan to buy. Information provided by carVertical is collected from over 900 reputable global sources, including state registries, insurance companies, auto repair shops, connected vehicle fleets, and many more, ensuring its legitimacy and accuracy.

How to decode a VIN number - Volvo VIN decoder

A standard VIN consists of 17 characters that are divided into four different sections:

• World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)
• Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)
• Security Check Digit
• Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)

Each section represents different information about a vehicle and can be decoded to learn more about its specifications and more. For this, you can either use a VIN decoder (the fastest and most reliable way) or do it manually (time-consuming as you need to learn what each section and character represents for a specific brand).

Let’s take a look at how it works.

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

The first three characters of the VIN are called the World Manufacturer Identifier section. By decoding them, you can learn about the country of origin (first character), manufacturer of the vehicle (second character), and its type (third character), e.g., passenger car, bus, truck, etc.

Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

The fourth to eighth character of the Volvo VIN is the Vehicle Descriptor Section, which refers to vehicle-specific information, such as engine size as type, car series, body style, and emissions.

Security Check Digit

The Security Check Digit is a single-digit character that appears in the 9th position of the Volvo VIN. Technically, it doesn’t provide any information about the vehicle – a Security Check Digit is used to detect any potential errors or tampering in the VIN and verify Volvo VIN as a whole.

The Security Check Digit is calculated based on a specific algorithm called the VIN formula. It uses the remaining 16 characters of VIN, each of which has a weight assigned to it. The Check Digit is calculated based on the sum of these weighted values.

Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)

The Vehicle Identifier Section is the last part of the Volvo VIN and consists of the remaining seven characters.

The 10th character denotes the model year. All car manufacturers use the same system shown below:

The 11th refers to the assembly plant where the Volvo was produced:

12th to 17th is a serial or production number that is unique to every vehicle.

Is a Volvo VIN decoder available for a free VIN check?

A free VIN decoder provides basic information about a vehicle you’re interested in. For example, you can check a specific car’s make, model, year of manufacture, and vehicle attributes.

However, if you want to better understand a car's past and condition, you will have to get a vehicle history report. This is because vehicle history reports gather and process data from various paid databases worldwide that are sometimes not available to regular individuals.

List of Volvo models

• Volvo V40
• Volvo V40 Cross Country
• Volvo V60
• Volvo V60 Cross Country
• Volvo V90
• Volvo S80
• Volvo S90
• Volvo XC40
• Volvo XC60
• Volvo XC70
• Volvo XC90
• Volvo S60
• Volvo S90 Cross Country
• Volvo C40
• Volvo EX30
• Volvo EX90

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