In these Posts I hope to help Toyota Owners get a better understanding of their vehicle and how the Certification Label and VIN can be deciphered. This knowledge comes in handy when trying to order parts or touch up paint.
The most prominent VIN number location is under the windshield on the drivers side of the vehicle.
On older Toyota models, Toyota would post a VIN label on each body panel (i.e. the hood, fenders, doors, rear hatch etc) and with this, you could tell if the vehicle had been in an accident or had a piece replaced. It was a clear indication to look closer at this particular Toyota before purchasing it. Toyota has stopped doing this in the past few years. These VIN labels can be found here....
Here is a nice video showing these Body VIN labels....
Now lets look at deciphering these VIN numbers. The 17 digit VIN number is first broken down into 4 parts. These are the WMI, VDS, Check Digit (used to validate the VIN) and finally VIS-Vehicle Indicator Section...
To break this down further and in a Owner friendly manner, we can see the VIN this way...
Keep in mind that over the years, Toyota engines, transmissions and models get dropped and some get added, so to see a year by year breakdown, you can use Toyota's website here.
or use these....
2000 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2001 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2002 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2003 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2004 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2005 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2006 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2007 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2008 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2009 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2010 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2011 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2012 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2013 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2014 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2015 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2016 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2017 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2018 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2019 Toyota Model Truck Van SUV
2019 Toyota Model Car Chart
As for the Certification Label and how to read it, lets look here...
The most prominent VIN number location is under the windshield on the drivers side of the vehicle.

On older Toyota models, Toyota would post a VIN label on each body panel (i.e. the hood, fenders, doors, rear hatch etc) and with this, you could tell if the vehicle had been in an accident or had a piece replaced. It was a clear indication to look closer at this particular Toyota before purchasing it. Toyota has stopped doing this in the past few years. These VIN labels can be found here....

Here is a nice video showing these Body VIN labels....
Now lets look at deciphering these VIN numbers. The 17 digit VIN number is first broken down into 4 parts. These are the WMI, VDS, Check Digit (used to validate the VIN) and finally VIS-Vehicle Indicator Section...

To break this down further and in a Owner friendly manner, we can see the VIN this way...

Keep in mind that over the years, Toyota engines, transmissions and models get dropped and some get added, so to see a year by year breakdown, you can use Toyota's website here.
or use these....
2000 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2001 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2002 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2003 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2004 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2005 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2006 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2007 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2008 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2009 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2010 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2011 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2012 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2013 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2014 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2015 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2016 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2017 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2018 Toyota Model VIN Chart
2019 Toyota Model Truck Van SUV
2019 Toyota Model Car Chart
As for the Certification Label and how to read it, lets look here...