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Tesla VIN decoder
Paste any Tesla VIN to see the model, model year, motor, factory and the likely Autopilot hardware (HW3 or AI4). It also tells you the honest part: what a VIN can never show about Full Self-Driving.
Decoded in your browser: the VIN is never sent anywhere. Try a made-up example:
How to check FSD on a used Tesla
Full Self-Driving is software, so it is not in the VIN. Neither is the question that matters when you buy: will FSD still be there after the sale? Owned FSD stays with the car; a subscription, a trial or FSD moved to another Tesla does not.
- The car's screen. Controls > Software shows "Full Self-Driving (Supervised)" when it is switched on today. It does not show who paid. Owners report that a bought package reads "Included Package", while a subscription shows a renewal or expiry date.
- The VIN on that screen. A listing photo of the Software screen only counts if the VIN on it matches the listing.
- The Tesla app. Ask the seller for a screenshot of the Upgrades screen: it separates purchased features from subscriptions.
- The paperwork. The original window sticker or order confirmation with a matching VIN shows what was bought with the car. It cannot show a later transfer or removal.
- The history. Ask whether FSD was ever moved to another Tesla (the last transfer window closed March 31, 2026), whether it is a Luxe Package or bundle car, and whether Tesla or an auction owned it between owners: Tesla has removed FSD on some resold cars.
- In writing. Before you pay, get "owned FSD (Supervised) transfers with the car" in the bill of sale, with a value.
What each position of a Tesla VIN means
Tesla files its VIN tables with NHTSA every model year. The codes below are from those filings unless marked community.
| Position | Meaning | Tesla codes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Manufacturer (WMI) | 5YJ Tesla passenger car (Model S, Model 3; Model X and Y to 2021), 7SA Tesla MPV (Model X, Model Y from 2022), 7G2 Tesla truck (Cybertruck, Semi), LRW Shanghai (community), XP7 Berlin (community), SFZ Roadster |
| 4 | Model | S, X, 3, Y, C (Cybertruck), T (Semi), R (Roadster) |
| 5 | Body and weight class | A hatchback, C Model X SUV, E sedan, G Model Y SUV (all left-hand drive); B, D, F, H the right-hand drive versions (community); E pickup on 7G2 |
| 6 | Restraints and seats (weight rating on trucks) | 1 or D five seats, A seven seats, B six seats; on Cybertruck G or H (GVWR class 2G or 2H) |
| 7 | Fuel and battery | E electric, F electric with LFP battery; S, H, V battery sizes on 2014 to 2016 Model S (community) |
| 8 | Motor and drive unit | Model 3: A single, B dual, C or T Performance. Model Y: D single, E dual, F or T Performance. Model S/X: 1 to 4 (to 2021), 5 dual, 6 tri motor Plaid. Cybertruck: C single, D dual, E Cyberbeast |
| 9 | Check digit | 0 to 9 or X, calculated from the other 16 characters (49 CFR 565.15) |
| 10 | Model year | L 2020, M 2021, N 2022, P 2023, R 2024, S 2025, T 2026, V 2027 |
| 11 | Factory | F Fremont, A Austin, N Reno (Semi), C Shanghai, B Berlin (community) |
| 12 to 17 | Serial number | Production sequence number |
HW3 or HW4 (AI4) by model year
The VIN has the model year, not the build month, so a year that straddles a change could be either. These are estimates from documented cut-over dates. The car's screen is the only confirmation: Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Information.
| Model | Likely HW3 | Could be either | Likely AI4 (HW4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 | 2020 to 2023 (HW2.5 on 2017 to 2018) | 2019 (HW2.5 or HW3) | 2024 and later (the refresh) |
| Model Y | 2020 to 2022 | 2023 (AI4 from about late May 2023 on US builds) | 2024 and later |
| Model S and X | 2020 to 2022 (HW2.5 on 2018) | 2019 (HW2.5 or HW3), 2023 (AI4 from about January 2023) | 2024 and later |
| Cybertruck | None | None | Every model year |
HW2.0 and HW2.5 cars cannot run FSD (Supervised) until the computer is replaced with HW3; Tesla has offered that upgrade to owners who bought FSD, so an older car may already have it. HW3 runs an older FSD branch (v14 "Lite" on Model 3 and Y as of September 2026), and Tesla has said HW3 will not get unsupervised FSD. We make no promise about future upgrades.
Can a VIN tell me if a Tesla has FSD?
No. A Tesla VIN encodes the manufacturer, model, body, restraints, motor, model year, factory and serial number. Full Self-Driving is software, so it is not in the VIN, and neither is whether FSD was bought outright, is a subscription or was transferred to another car. Check the car's Software screen, the Tesla app Upgrades screen and the original purchase documents instead.
How do I tell if a Tesla has HW3 or HW4 (AI4)?
The VIN gives the model and model year, which usually narrows it down: Model 3 up to the 2023 model year and Model Y up to 2022 have HW3, the refreshed 2024 and later Model 3, 2024 and later Model Y and every Cybertruck have AI4, and the 2023 Model Y and Model S/X could be either. To be sure, open Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Information on the car's screen, which shows the Autopilot computer.
How can I tell if FSD is owned or a subscription?
The car's Software screen shows FSD (Supervised) in both cases. Owners report that a bought package reads Included Package, while a subscription shows a renewal or expiry date. The Tesla app Upgrades screen, the original order confirmation or window sticker with a matching VIN, and a written statement from the seller are stronger evidence. FSD Radar combines these signals for every listing.
Does FSD transfer to the next owner of a used Tesla?
FSD the original owner bought outright stays with the car when it is sold, unless they moved it to another Tesla first. A monthly subscription ends with the old owner. Luxe Package FSD on cars ordered after February 14, 2026 ends when the car is sold. Tesla stopped selling FSD outright on February 14, 2026, and the last transfer window closed on March 31, 2026.
What does the 8th character of a Tesla VIN mean?
Position 8 is the motor and drive unit. For example, on a Model 3 A means single motor, B dual motor and C or T dual motor Performance; on a Model Y D, E and F (T from the 2026 model year) mean the same; on a 2021 and later Model S or X 5 is dual motor and 6 is the tri motor Plaid. The codes change by model and year, which is why the decoder reads them together.
Where do I find the VIN on a Tesla?
On the plate at the bottom of the windshield on the driver's side, on the label in the driver's door frame (which also shows the build month), in the Tesla app, on the registration and insurance card, and usually in the listing. The VIN shown on the car's Software screen should match the listing.
Is my VIN sent to FSD Radar?
No. The decoder runs entirely in your browser. The VIN you type is not sent to our servers or anyone else's.
Is FSD Radar affiliated with Tesla?
No. FSD Radar is an independent service. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Tesla, Inc.
Sources
Checked September 29, 2026. Where Tesla has not published a code (right-hand drive, China and Berlin motor codes, early Model S battery codes) we follow community decoders and mark the result "community".
- Tesla's VIN decoder filings with NHTSA (49 CFR Part 565): 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 Model Y.
- NHTSA vPIC VIN decoder, which applies those filings: we cross-checked every model, year and motor code against it.
- Check digit rule: 49 CFR 565.15.
- Community codes: TeslaTap VIN decoder.
- Hardware cut-over dates: Tesla Autopilot hardware (Wikipedia), and Tesla's AI computer upgrade page (archived May 2026). FSD versions: Not a Tesla App.
- FSD transfer and Luxe Package rules: Tesla's FSD transfer page (archived) and Luxe Package terms.
Find a used Tesla with FSD it actually owns.
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