Mazda VIN decoder

Enter the VIN and the decoder validates it, then reads Mazda's entry in NHTSA's vPIC database: model year, model, trim, body class, drive type, engine size, cylinders and fuel, transmission, GVWR, doors, the plant and the air bags. NHTSA's recall campaigns for that model and year are listed under it. Whether a specific car has had the repair done is something NHTSA's VIN recall search or a Mazda dealer can confirm.

Mazda splits the VIN into three sections: the maker code in positions 1 to 3, a vehicle description in positions 4 to 8, and then the check digit, year, plant and serial.

This is Mazda's generic 2026 format with the codes from its CX-30 sheet, as amended on January 8, 2026:

Mazda amended its 2026 CX-30 VIN coding in January 2026 "to identify the trim levels" by tying the 7th character to the serial number:

• Built up to and including December 31, 2025 (serials 100009 to 126756): X wasn't used. The Aire Edition shares C with the Preferred Package and Carbon Edition, and the 2.5 T Aire Edition shares D with the Premium Package.
• Built from January 1, 2026 (serials 126759 and up): X marks the Aire Edition and 2.5 T Aire Edition, so C and D no longer include them.

So two 2026 CX-30 Aire Editions can carry different 7th characters, and both are correct.

Using the sheet, a 2026 CX-30 Turbo Premium Plus from the Salamanca plant reads 3MVDMBEY?TM followed by a six-digit serial, with ? standing for the check digit:

1. 3MV: multipurpose vehicle from Mazda Motor Manufacturing de Mexico.
2. DM: CX-30.
3. B: four-wheel drive, GVWR class C (4,001 to 5,000 lb) and the listed air bags.
4. E: Turbo Premium Plus Package, wagon body, make Mazda.
5. Y: 2.5L PY Turbo, gasoline inline-four, 227 hp net.
6. T: 2026. M: Salamanca, Guanajuato.

That's a reading of Mazda's sheet, not a real VIN.

This 2024 CX-90 plug-in hybrid went through an NHTSA crash test (test 14473), and the test record lists its VIN. NHTSA's vPIC database returns this for JM3KKEHA8R1123816:

Mazda builds vehicles for other brands too, and vPIC tracks that in the WMI. 7MM, from Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville, is listed for both Mazda and Toyota, while 3MY (Mazda's Mexico plant) and 7MU (Huntsville) are Toyota-only codes. JC1, a Mazda Motor Corporation car code, is listed for Mazda and Fiat, and JC2 for Ford trucks.

When one of those VINs belongs to the other brand, the decoder shows that make and points you to its page, such as the Toyota VIN decoder.

vPIC lists seven Mazda models for 2026: the Mazda3, MX-5, CX-30, CX-5, CX-50, CX-70 and CX-90. Its all-years list has 28, back to the GLC, 323, 626, 929, RX-7 and B-Series pickup, plus the Millenia, Protege, Tribute, MPV, Navajo, Mazda6, RX-8, MX-30 and CX-9.

1. Windshield: the driver's side corner of the dash, visible from outside (49 CFR 565.13).
2. Driver's door opening: the certification label on the door edge or pillar (49 CFR 567.4).
3. Paperwork: title, registration and insurance card.

For the factory options list, see the Mazda window sticker page. Getting it ready to sell? CarShots turns phone photos of your Mazda into clean backdrop shots, about 20 seconds each.