Tesla Model S: Identification Numbers

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.

Drive unit number

From 2012 MY

The drive unit number is located on a label affixed to the motor.

Manufacturing certification label

A manufacturing certification label is affixed to the driver's side door jamb, except for vehicles in China, where it is affixed to the passenger's side door jamb.

Vehicle paint codes

The vehicle paint code is printed in the lower left hand corner of the manufacturing certification label. This label is affixed to the driver's side door jamb, except for vehicles in China, where it is affixed to the passenger's side door jamb.

Serial Number

Tesla serial numbers are 11 digits and alphanumeric, and are often found affixed to Tesla products via a label or engraving.

Using the above serial number (T12J000683) as an example, Tesla serial numbers can be decoded in the following way:

Digit 1

Manufacturer
T = Tesla

Digits 2-3

Year of Manufacture
12 = (2012, 2013, etc.)

Digit 4

Month of Manufacture
J = (A is January, B is February, etc.)

Digits 5-11

Production Number
000683 = (000683 is the 683rd part with that part number)

Therefore, T12J000683 was manufactured by Tesla in October, 2012 and was the 683rd part with that part number.

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