VIN lookup Australia
Search by VIN or by rego and get the vehicle's full specifications back.
What a VIN tells you
A VIN is a 17-character code stamped into a vehicle when it is manufactured. It is the one identifier that never changes — not when the car is sold, re-registered, or moved interstate. That permanence is why it underpins parts catalogues, recall notices, insurance records and PPSR checks.
Rego Notes accepts a VIN or a registration number in the same field. Either way you get back the make, model and variant, year of manufacture, body type, transmission, the full manufacturer description and an indicative market value range.
If you only have the plate, start with a rego-to-VIN lookup — that returns the VIN, which you can then use anywhere else it is required.
5 free lookups on signup. No card required.
The data
What a VIN lookup returns
One lookup, every field below — where the data provider holds it.
- VIN
- The full 17-character Vehicle Identification Number.
- Make, model & variant
- Manufacturer, model name and the specific variant.
- Year of manufacture
- The build year of the vehicle.
- Body type
- Sedan, hatch, SUV, coupe, ute and so on.
- Transmission
- Automatic or manual, with detail where available.
- NVIC
- National Vehicle Identification Code.
- Estimated value
- Indicative minimum and maximum market value.
- Full description
- Manufacturer description including engine and drivetrain codes.
What this does not cover
Being straight about the boundaries: Rego Notes returns vehicle specifications and lets you keep notes. It is not a PPSR certificate, and it does not report finance owing, written-off status, or whether a vehicle is reported stolen. Those come from the government PPSR register, and you need the VIN to run one — which is what this gives you.
Registration status is also separate, and free from each state’s transport authority. Every state page links to the official service.
Why people do this
Common reasons to get a VIN from a plate
Ordering the right parts
The VIN is what parts catalogues key off. Getting it from the plate saves a trip to the vehicle.
Quoting from a phone call
A customer reads you their plate. You get the exact variant and engine before quoting.
Checking a car before you buy
Confirm the vehicle matches what the seller claims, and get the VIN for a PPSR check.
Keeping a service record
Attach notes and issues to the vehicle so the history is there next time it comes in.
FAQ
VIN lookup questions
- What is a VIN?
- A Vehicle Identification Number is a unique 17-character code assigned to a vehicle when it is built. Unlike a registration number, it never changes — it identifies the vehicle itself rather than its current registration.
- Where do I find the VIN on a car?
- Common locations are the base of the windscreen on the driver’s side, the driver’s door jamb, the engine bay firewall, or in the boot under the floor. It also appears on the registration papers and insurance documents.
- Can I search by VIN as well as by rego?
- Yes. Rego Notes accepts either a registration number or a VIN in the same search box, so you can work from whichever you have.
- Does a VIN lookup show finance owing or write-off history?
- No. Encumbrance, write-off and stolen-vehicle status come from the PPSR, which is a separate government register. Rego Notes gives you the VIN and vehicle specifications — the VIN is what you then use to run a PPSR check.
- What does a VIN lookup cost?
- New accounts include 5 free lookups with no card required. After that, packs start at A$23.50 for 50 checks, and a lookup that returns no vehicle is refunded automatically.
Decode a vehicle now
Search by VIN or rego, get the specifications, and keep your notes on every vehicle you check.
5 free checks when you create an account. No card required.