VIN vs IMEI

Client

VIN vs IMEI compares vehicle chassis identifiers with cellular handset modem IDs. They use different checksum rules—mod 11 vs Luhn mod-10. Use separate tools when auditing mixed logistics forms.

Checksum comparison

VIN: 17 characters, position-nine mod-11, forbidden I/O/Q. IMEI: 15 digits, Luhn mod-10, TAC prefix. Validate each with the matching Toolcore page.

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.
?

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

  • Clarify identifier columns in telematics plus fleet CSV imports.
  • Train warehouse staff on two checksum families.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Pasting IMEI into a VIN validation column

    Length and algorithm differ—15-digit Luhn will fail 17-character mod-11 guards.

FAQ

Is VIN the same as IMEI?

No—VIN identifies the vehicle; IMEI identifies the cellular radio in a phone or modem.

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

More tools

Related utilities you can open in another tab—mostly client-side.