How to Decode a Chinese Chassis Number
Decoding a chassis number tells you what a car actually is before you trust a listing. This guide covers Chinese vehicles — chassis numbers that start with L — and shows what each part of the 17 characters means.
Have the chassis number? Run a free chassis number check to decode it now, or get the full vehicle history report from China Vehicle History.
What a Chinese chassis number tells you
The first three characters identify the manufacturer, and on a Chinese vehicle the first one is always L. Characters 4 to 8 describe the model line, body and engine family, character 9 is a check digit, character 10 is the model year, character 11 is the assembly plant and the last six are the serial number.
Reading the model year
The 10th character follows a fixed cycle that skips I, O, Q, U, Z and 0. On recent cars, N means 2022, P means 2023, R means 2024, S means 2025 and T means 2026. If the year on the listing doesn't match the 10th character, ask the seller why.
Decode it for free
Enter the full 17-character chassis number in the free check. The free preview returns the brand, model, year and manufacturer — enough to confirm the car matches the listing. Full specifications (engine, transmission, dimensions) are in the Basic report, and the history — accidents, ownership, mileage — is in the Standard and Premium reports.
Why it matters for Chinese imports
Chinese-made vehicles are often missing from Western databases, and the same model can be sold under different names in different markets. Decoding the chassis number confirms what the car really is before you go further.
FAQ
Can I decode a chassis number for free?
Yes, for Chinese vehicles. The free preview shows the brand, model, year and manufacturer. Specifications and history are in the paid reports.
Does it work for Toyota, Hyundai or other non-Chinese cars?
No. ChineseVIN covers Chinese vehicles only — chassis numbers that start with L.
How do I find the year from a chassis number?
Look at the 10th character. On recent cars N is 2022, P is 2023, R is 2024, S is 2025 and T is 2026.
Verify before you buy
Decode the chassis number free, then unlock the full vehicle history report for accident, mileage, and China registry records.
Get the full history report →