Salvage VIN format check

Client

Salvage and rebuilt vehicles still use standard 17-character VINs. Format check catches typos before salvage-title paperwork—branded title status requires official registry search separately.

Format vs branded title

A salvage-branded vehicle can still have a valid mod-11 VIN. Use this page for string consistency; use registry services for title brand history.

Privacy: parsing runs only in your browser. This page does not query DMV, insurance, or manufacturer databases—only the published mod-11 rule for the ninth character.
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After removing spaces and hyphens, the frame must be exactly 17 characters. Letters I, O, and Q are forbidden everywhere. Position 9 (index 8) is the check symbol: decimal 0–9 or X for remainder ten. Each symbol maps to a numeric value, is multiplied by a fixed weight for its position, products are summed, and sum mod 11 must equal the check symbol’s value (X → 10).

Result

Passes check digit — weighted sum mod 11 is 10; expected X.

  • WMI (positions 1–3): 1HG
  • Attributes (4–8): BH41J
  • Check (9): X
  • Model year code (10): M
  • Plant (11): N
  • Sequential (12–17): 109186

Common use cases

  • Validate VIN on salvage auction manifests before bidding.
  • Catch OCR errors on rebuilt title scans internally.
  • QA body-shop intake forms before insurer submissions.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming format pass means clean non-salvage title

    Branded title flags live in registry databases—not checksum math.

  • Replacing VIN plates without re-validating the frame

    Physical fraud review stays with inspectors; this catches typos only.

FAQ

Does salvage format check show branded title?

No—mod-11 only. Query registry for salvage or rebuilt branding.

Common search terms

Phrases people search for that match this tool. See the full long-tail keyword index.

  • vin check digit verifier online
  • validate vin number mod 11 free
  • ninth position vin checksum browser
  • iso 3779 vin check digit calculator
  • vehicle identification number check digit locally

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