Curious about your Tesla's model year? Knowing your Tesla's model year is easier than you might think, and the key lies in its unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This 17-character code is like your car's fingerprint, containing a wealth of information, including its manufacturing year. Let's dive in and decode it!
Step 1: Locating Your Tesla's VIN
First things first, you need to find your Tesla's VIN. Don't worry, it's displayed in a few easily accessible places.
Sub-Step 1.1: Through the Tesla App
This is often the quickest and most convenient method.
Open the Tesla app on your smartphone.
Scroll down to the very bottom of the main screen for the car you're interested in.
You'll see a line prefixed with "VIN:" followed by the full 17-character VIN.
Sub-Step 1.2: On the Vehicle Itself
If you don't have access to the app, or prefer a physical check, you can find the VIN on the car itself.
Through the Windshield: Look at the bottom corner of the windshield on the driver's side. You'll see a metal plate with the VIN engraved on it, visible from outside the car near where the wipers sit.
Driver's Door Jamb: Open the driver's door. There's often a white Vehicle Certification Label on the center pillar (B-pillar) that displays the VIN.
In-Car Touchscreen: If you have access to the car's interior, navigate to the touchscreen menu.
Go to "Controls" (usually the car icon).
Then select "Software".
The VIN will be displayed on this screen.
Less Common Locations (depending on model/year):
Some older models might have it stamped on the chassis in the frunk (under the center maintenance panel near the windshield).
Some international or older models might have it on the rear hatch lip or under the front passenger seat.
Step 2: Decoding the VIN for the Model Year
Once you have your 17-character VIN, the process of finding the model year is straightforward.
Sub-Step 2.1: Identify the 10th Digit
The tenth character of your Tesla's VIN is the key to unlocking its model year. This specific digit is a letter (or sometimes a number for older vehicles) that corresponds to a particular year.
Sub-Step 2.2: Consult the Model Year Chart
Here's a breakdown of what the 10th VIN digit typically means for Tesla vehicles:
Important Note: While for most manufacturers the 10th digit reflects the actual build year, Tesla's system shifted at the end of 2019 to reflect the year for which production typically started. So, a "K" might represent a car built in late 2018 but designated as a 2019 model year.
Step 3: Understanding Other VIN Digits (Optional)
While the 10th digit is all you need for the model year, the VIN contains a lot more fascinating information about your Tesla!
Sub-Step 3.1: World Manufacturer Identifier (Digits 1-3)
These first three digits tell you who manufactured the vehicle and its general type.
5YJ: Tesla USA (typically Model S, 3, X)
7SA: Tesla USA (typically Model X, Y from 2022 onwards)
LRW: Tesla China (Gigafactory Shanghai)
XP7: Tesla Germany (Gigafactory Berlin)
7G2: Tesla Inc. (for trucks like the Cybertruck/Semi)
SFZ: Tesla UK (for the original Roadster)
Sub-Step 3.2: Model Designation (Digit 4)
This digit identifies the specific Tesla model.
S: Model S
X: Model X
3: Model 3
Y: Model Y
C: Cybertruck
T: Tesla Semi
R: Roadster
Sub-Step 3.3: Manufacturing Plant (Digit 11)
This digit indicates the specific factory where your Tesla was built.
F: Fremont, CA (USA)
A: Austin, TX (USA)
C: Tesla China (Gigafactory Shanghai)
B: Tesla Berlin (Germany)
N: Reno, NV (for Tesla Semi)
Sub-Step 3.4: Unique Serial Number (Digits 12-17)
These last six digits are the unique production sequence number for your specific vehicle. No two vehicles in the world share the same last six digits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ❓
How to check my Tesla VIN in the app?
Simply open your Tesla app, scroll to the bottom of the main screen where your car is displayed, and you'll see the VIN listed.
How to find my Tesla VIN on the car itself?
The VIN is typically visible through the bottom of the windshield on the driver's side, on a sticker inside the driver's door jamb, or on the in-car touchscreen under "Controls" > "Software".
How to decode the 10th digit of a Tesla VIN?
The 10th digit of your Tesla VIN corresponds to the model year. For example, 'P' indicates a 2023 model year, 'R' indicates a 2024 model year, and 'S' indicates a 2025 model year.
How to identify the manufacturing plant from a Tesla VIN?
The 11th digit of the VIN indicates the manufacturing plant. For example, 'F' is Fremont, 'A' is Austin, 'C' is China (Shanghai), and 'B' is Berlin.
How to tell if a Tesla is a Model 3 or Model Y from the VIN?
The 4th digit of the VIN identifies the model: '3' for Model 3 and 'Y' for Model Y.
How to verify if my VIN is legitimate?
The 9th digit of the VIN is a "check digit," a mathematically derived value used to verify the authenticity and accuracy of the VIN. While calculating it manually is complex, online VIN decoders often validate this for you.
How to find the exact build date of my Tesla?
While the 10th digit gives the model year, the exact build date often requires looking up the full VIN using specialized VIN decoders or Tesla service records, as the last six digits represent a sequential build number.
How to understand the first three digits of a Tesla VIN?
The first three digits form the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), indicating the manufacturer and the type of vehicle (e.g., 5YJ for Tesla USA, LRW for Tesla China).
How to determine if my Tesla is a performance model from the VIN?
While the VIN provides general motor/drive unit information (e.g., single or dual motor), specific performance trims aren't always explicitly coded in a single VIN digit. However, VIN decoders can often pull this information based on the entire VIN.
How to tell the difference between model year and build date for Tesla?
The model year (indicated by the 10th VIN digit) is the year for which the vehicle is primarily designated and marketed, whereas the build date is the actual calendar date the vehicle was manufactured. For Teslas after late 2019, the 10th digit reflects the model year rather than the exact build year.
Here's a video on how to check your Tesla VIN for the model year:
