VIN Decoder Switzerland: decode your VIN for free
Enter the 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN): you see the manufacturer, country of origin and model year instantly and for free. The equipment report shows which factory and optional equipment is actually fitted – by email within seconds.
Free VIN check
Manufacturer, country of origin and model year instantly from the VIN.
The check runs in your browser – the VIN is not stored.
What is a VIN – and what do the 17 characters mean?
The VIN (vehicle identification number) is the globally unique identifier of a vehicle, often called the chassis number. It has 17 characters and is divided into three sections under the ISO standard.
Positions 1–3: manufacturer (WMI)
The world manufacturer identifier shows who built the vehicle and in which region the manufacturer is registered.
Positions 4–9: vehicle description (VDS)
This section describes the vehicle – depending on the manufacturer, for example the model line, body style or engine.
Positions 10–17: vehicle identifier (VIS)
The individual identifier of the single vehicle. Many manufacturers also encode the model year and production plant here.
Vehicle identification: the actual equipment
A free decoder is enough for a quick overview. But when it comes to selling, buying or listing a vehicle, you need more.
Free VIN Decoder
- Usually shows only make, model and model year
- No reliable information about optional equipment
- Time-consuming searches in forums for verification
- Uncertainty about the actual equipment remains
NXTRA Identification
- Actual factory-installed and optional equipment
- Reliable basis for purchasing and vehicle listings
- Results in seconds instead of hours of forum research
- Available as a one-time purchase or directly in NXTRA
Factory Equipment
All equipment installed at the factory for the specific vehicle.
Optional Equipment
Additional options and packages ordered with the vehicle – exactly what can significantly affect its value.
Technical Specifications
Engine variant, power, transmission, drivetrain and other technical specifications.
Colour & Interior
Original exterior colour and interior specification according to factory data.
Production Details
Production date and plant for precise identification of the vehicle.
Reliable Source
Manufacturer-based data instead of assumptions from forums and vehicle listings.
Where can I find the VIN?
The VIN appears in several places – in the vehicle documents and on the vehicle itself. The letters I, O and Q are never used in a VIN, so they cannot be confused with 1 and 0.
In the registration document
In the Swiss vehicle registration document (Fahrzeugausweis), the VIN is in field 23 "Fahrgestell-Nr.". In Germany it is in field E of the registration certificate part I.
At the windscreen
On many vehicles the VIN can be read from outside at the bottom of the windscreen on the driver's side.
On the type plate
The type plate is usually located in the door frame, on the B-pillar or in the engine bay and carries the VIN.
Stamped into the body
The number is also stamped permanently into the body or frame, often in the engine bay or near the front passenger seat.
Finding the optional equipment by VIN
The VIN itself reveals the manufacturer, the model line and the individual vehicle identifier – but not which options were ticked when the car was ordered. A simple free decoder only reads the structure of the number and therefore usually shows just make, model and year.
NXTRA matches the chassis number against manufacturer-based data and lists the factory and optional equipment actually fitted to that specific vehicle: packages, individual options, exterior colour, interior and technical specifications. That way you know whether the car really has what the listing claims.
VINs in Switzerland: reading the vehicle registration document
The Swiss vehicle registration document (Fahrzeugausweis) contains several numbers. For the VIN decoder you need the VIN – these are the fields to know:
Field 23 – VIN (Fahrgestell-Nr.)
The manufacturer's 17-character VIN. This is the number you enter in the VIN decoder.
Field 18 – Stammnummer
Assigned by the Swiss authorities (format 123.456.789). It is only valid in Switzerland and is not a VIN.
Field 24 – Type approval
The Swiss type approval of the vehicle type. It describes the type, not the equipment of the individual vehicle.
Field 36 – First registration
The date of first registration. It is required for the vehicle valuation.
Spotting direct and parallel imports
The first three characters of the VIN show the manufacturer and country of production. The country of production does not, however, tell you which market a vehicle was delivered to.
Especially with direct and parallel imports, the equipment can differ from the Swiss specification. The equipment report shows what was actually fitted at the factory on the specific vehicle – a reliable basis for buying, trade-ins and listings.
When is a VIN decoder worth it?
Before buying a used car
Check whether the equipment named in the listing was actually fitted at the factory before you negotiate or sign.
When creating a listing
Capture the complete equipment list without hunting for every option on the vehicle. Complete listings are easier to find.
For purchase and trade-in
As a dealer you get a reliable basis for the purchase price instead of relying on the seller's statements.
From VIN to equipment report in three steps
Enter VIN & choose report
Enter the Vehicle Identification Number and choose between identification and valuation – no account required.
NXTRA determines the data
Data is matched against manufacturer information and, for valuations, additionally compared with current market data.
Receive your report
The complete report arrives in your inbox within seconds – ready to use.
What our customers say
Reviews shown in their original German.
Ich habe bei NXTRA die Fahrzeugidentifikation und die Fahrzeugbewertung für meinen Skoda bestellt.
Der Ausstattungsbericht hat zu 100 % gestimmt, inklusive aller Sonderausstattungen. Wirklich verblüfft hat mich die Bewertung!
Beide Berichte kamen innert Minuten per E-Mail. Klare Empfehlung für alle, die wissen wollen, was ihr Auto wirklich hat und wert ist.
Vielen Dank
Ich wollte genau wissen, was mein Mazda ab Werk verbaut hat, und habe bei NXTRA die Fahrzeugidentifikation und die Fahrzeugbewertung bestellt.
Die Überraschung: Mein Auto hat nicht die Sonderausstattung die ich dachte, obwohl ich davon ausging. Genau dafür ist so ein Bericht da, jetzt weiss ich es schwarz auf weiss statt nur vom Hörensagen.
Die Bewertung dazu war nachvollziehbar aufgebau. Die Berichte habe ich aus Interesse geholt.
Unkompliziert bestellt, Bericht per E-Mail erhalten. Empfehlenswert
What does the VIN lookup cost?
Vehicle Identification
- Complete equipment report
- Delivered directly by email
- Ideal for individual enquiries
Both in NXTRA
- Identification & valuation directly within the vehicle workflow
- Both available directly during vehicle intake
- Equipment & value automatically transferred to the vehicle listing
- No manual research for each vehicle
Frequently asked questions about the VIN decoder
Is the VIN decoder free?
Yes. The VIN check at the top of this page is free and requires no sign-up: it instantly shows the manufacturer, country of origin, model year (where encoded by the manufacturer) and checks the number for errors. The factory and optional equipment actually fitted is not contained in the VIN itself – it is included in the paid equipment report.
Are VIN and chassis number the same thing?
Yes. VIN stands for vehicle identification number. Chassis number is the everyday term for the same 17-character number; in German it is also called FIN or Fahrgestellnummer.
What is the difference between the Swiss Stammnummer and the VIN?
The Stammnummer (master number) is assigned by the Swiss authorities and appears in the registration document in the format 123.456.789. The VIN is assigned by the manufacturer, is unique worldwide and has 17 characters. The VIN decoder needs the VIN.
Can I find out the optional equipment from the VIN?
Yes. The identification report lists the standard and optional equipment fitted to the specific vehicle at the factory – including packages, colour and interior.
What does the VIN lookup cost at NXTRA?
The identification report costs a one-time CHF 26.90 per vehicle – no subscription and no account. Dealers with an NXTRA subscription get reduced prices per lookup.
How quickly will I receive the report?
Within seconds by email. All you need is the VIN and an email address.
What is a VIN decoder?
A VIN decoder decodes the 17-character vehicle identification number. The number itself reveals the manufacturer, country of origin and, depending on the manufacturer, the model year. The equipment requires a match against manufacturer data – exactly what the NXTRA report does.
Where is the VIN in the Swiss vehicle registration document?
In field 23 "Fahrgestell-Nr.". Not to be confused with the Stammnummer in field 18 (format 123.456.789) – for the VIN decoder you need the 17-character number from field 23.
Related
Vehicle valuation
You know the equipment and want to know what the vehicle is worth? The valuation determines the market value based on the real equipment.
Go to vehicle valuation →Identification & valuation at a glance
Both reports compared side by side, with prices for single purchases and for dealers.
Go to overview →Ready to decode your chassis number?
Check the VIN for free – and get the full equipment report by email within seconds if you need it.