I think it's sometimes interesting to see what the VIN can tell you about a car, particularly cars that are collector's items. We've seen several Roadster VIN's: 1T9RE11A15P829M02 for drivable mule 2 SFZRE11B963E00001 for EP1 SFZRE11B063E00002 for EP2 SFZRE11B663E00005 for EP5 SFZRE11B773V00001 for VP1 SFZRE11B173V00009 for VP9 SFZRE11B873V00010 for VP10 SFZRE11BX73V00011 for VP11 SFZRE11B173V00012 for VP12 SFZRE11B373V00013 for VP13 SFZRE11B283900016 for VP16 SFZRE11B483900017 for VP17 SFZRE11B183F00001 for P1 SFZRE11B081F00003 for P2/VIN F003 SFZRE11B981F00002 for P3?/VIN F002 SFZRE11B681000005 for Signature 100, #5 SFZRE11B?81000009 for Signature 100, #9 5YJRE11B481000012 for Signature 100, #12 5YJRE11B681000013 for Signature 100, #13 5YJRE11B881000014 for Signature 100, #14 5YJRE11B181000016 for Signature 100, #16 5YJRE11B881000028 for Signature 100, #28 5YJRE11B981V00022 for VP22 5YJRE11B281V00024 for VP24 5YJRE11B681V00026 for VP26 5YJRE1A31A1000502 for US 2010MY Sport SFZRE2B13A3000002 for EU 2010MY SFZRE2B3XA3000001 for EU 2010MY Sport SFZRE2B32A3000011 for EU 2010MY Sport SFZRE2B30A3900017 for EU 2010MY Signature 250 Sport SFZRE2B15A3000003 for EU 2010MY car - RWE promotion - has Signature plate SFZRE2B34A3000026 for EU 2010MY Sport - has Signature plate 5YJRE1A38B1001194 for US 2011MY Sport The following is adapted from here: How to Decode a VIN When decoded, the VIN tells the country and year of manufacture; make, model and serial number; assembly plant; and in some cases it even identifies equipment specifications. The vehicle identification number is divided into four parts: * World Manufacturer's Identification (WMI - three characters) * Vehicle Description Section (VDS - five characters) * The VIN Accuracy Check Digit * Vehicle Identification Section (VIS - eight characters) World Manufacturer’s Identification (WMI) The first character in the WMI sequence represents the country where the vehicle was manufactured. The second character refers to the manufacturer. The characters can be either letters or numbers. The third character represents the vehicle type or manufacturing division. I believe the S refers to the UK as in Lotus VIN's. Vehicle Description Section (VDS) and Check Digit The vehicle description section consists of five characters (the 4th to 8th characters) which identify everything from the body style, engine type, and braking system to model, series, restraint system, etc. The 9th character is a VIN accuracy check digit which verifies the previous VIN numbers. It is determined by carrying out a mathematical computation developed by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Anyone have an interpretation for RE11B? Vehicle Identification Section (VIS) The vehicle identification section includes the last eight characters in the VIN number. The numbers identify the model year (10th character) and the assembly plant for the vehicle (11th character). So VP12 is 2007, P1 is 2008. Lotus uses an H for Hethel. Not sure why Tesla uses a 3 (or why P2 and later have a 1 in this position). The 12th to 17th characters are the actual serial number of the vehicle—these last 6 digits make the vehicle unique (think of DNA). It can also help to identify whether the vehicle was the first, the hundredth, or the last vehicle off the manufacturer’s assembly line. This is valuable information for collectors. We can assume V is for Validation Prototype and F for Founders' Series. I'd guess they're using E for EP. Does anyone have any insight to share?
There is quite a bit of information on the internet on VIN number formats. A few additional quick observations. Yes, S in the first space is for the UK, just as W is for Germany, J for Japan, K for Korea. The formats of the next two characters varies considerably. General Motors generally uses G in the second spot and a character for the division in the third spot. Ford Motor Company does not follow the same pattern. There is not supposed to be an I or the letter O in the VIN. Note that for the year model code, numbers were used for a while, then letters, then numbers again. There are spaces on the internet to decode VINs, but it probably is too soon for Tesla's information to be there.
Way back when, Martin wrote a program to calculate the VIN number of a vehicle. I will see if I can distract him from his current "obsession" to comment on this issue.
VIN's out of sequence Apparently there is some precedence for producing cars with their VIN's out of sequence. Just one example I found online: LOVEfords -* VIN Information - 1953-1959 Fords, 1958 and 1959 Mercurys, Edsels, and Lincolns
Apparently from VP10's VDS: IMG_0141.JPG on Flickr - Photo Sharing! Picture seems to say: 2007 Tesla Roadster Validation Prototype VIN: SFZRE11B873V00010 Assembled 11 Mar, 2008 Hethel, UK
Interesting that the Euro spec cars have UK prefixes and their own VIN sequence. SFZRE2B13A3000002 SFZRE2B3XA3000001 Sport
I already have my VIN for my Roadster Sport. It's the same as the above except for the last 3 digits (and the check digit of course if different).
Thanks. I had thought VIN502 was a Sport model, but didn't have confirmation. Maybe a "3" in digit 8 indicates it's a Sport model.
Euro-spec cars at the Munich store opening. SFZRE2B32A3000011 Sport SFZRE2B30A3900017 Signature 250 Sport Curious what that 9 indicates.
EU spec cars at the Frankfurt auto show. SFZRE2B15A3000003 RWE promotional car SFZRE2B34A3000026 Sport
Here you can actually also decode Tesla vehicles : http://www.pronto-net.com/vin_app/vin.php Tested with some VINs and seems pretty accurate. This is result for EP1 : VIN SFZRE11B963E00001 DECODED 2006 Tesla Roadster Country UNITED KINGDOM Make Tesla Vehicle Type Passenger Car Model Roadster Check Digit 9 Model Year 2006 Assy. Plant Hethel, UK Production Seq. Number E00001 Engine Type Electric Motor; 3-phase, 4-pole AC induction motor; 375 volts Body Type 2 Door Convertible; Roadster Trim Level Base; Sport Restraint System Dual Air Bag; Seat Belts Drive Line Type RWD Vehicle Class Small Car Fuel Type Electric Manufacturer Tesla Motors Incorporated Engine Code S
MINI E reported in as: DECODED 2008 MINI Cooper Country GERMANY Make MINI Vehicle Type Passenger Car Model Cooper Restraint System Dual Air Bag; Manual Belts; SRS-Dual Stage Advanced Check Digit 9 Model Year 2008 Assy. Plant Oxford, Great Britain Body Type 2 Door Hatchback Engine Type L4, 1.6L Trim Level S Drive Line Type FWD Vehicle Class Small Car Fuel Type Gasoline Manufacturer BMW-AG, Munich, Germany Engine Code M A hint at its former life before it went under the knife?
Interesting. Not too much info yet on 2010MY (Roadster 2.0) cars, though, where the VIN actually indicates differences like Euro spec, Sport version, etc. Anyone see a Roadster 2.5 VIN yet?
I haven't taken delivery of my 2.5 yet, but I've been told my vin is as follows: 5YJRE1A38A1001078 It is a Tesla Roadster Sport 2.5. This VIN supports the theory that '3' in 8th digit = sport. Interesting: The VIN decoder did not decode that the vehicle is "sport"
Interesting. I would have thought they'd label the 2.5s as the 2011MY, but this indicates they're still using 2010.
