Online VIN decoderOpel VIN decoder: free lookup
Have the VIN of an Opel? Enter all 17 characters and see the model, engine, model year and plant for free, then check the history: accidents, title brands and odometer.
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Where to find the VIN on an Opel
On an Opel the VIN plate sits at the lower left of the windshield and on the driver-side door jamb; the same 17 characters are printed on the title, the registration card and the insurance card. If any of them differ, stop and check the vehicle history.
- Dashboard, driver side
Look through the windshield in the lower left corner, where the dash meets the glass.
- Driver-side door jamb
The sticker or plate on the B-pillar or door edge (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard label).
- Engine bay or frame
Stamped on the firewall or, on trucks, on the frame rail near the front wheel.
- Title certificate
Every state title shows the VIN near the year, make and model.
- Registration card
The registration card in the glove box repeats the VIN.
- Compare with the car
If the VIN on the title differs from the one on the dashboard, do not buy until it is explained.
- Insurance ID card
Your insurance card or app lists the VIN of each covered vehicle.
- Policy documents
The declarations page of the policy shows the full VIN too.
- Service records
Repair orders and dealer invoices usually carry the VIN as well.
How to recognize an Opel VIN
Opel is a brand from Germany. The first three characters of the VIN (the WMI code) identify the maker and, often, the plant or the market the vehicle was built for.
Example: a VIN that starts with W0L stands for Opel, Germany. The 10th character is the model year; the last six characters are the production number. A VIN that starts with another code is not necessarily a problem (makers change codes over time), but it is worth checking the history before you buy.
Opel VIN decoder by model
| Model | Production years | Generations | Engine versions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opel Astra | 1991–present | 30 | 475 |
| Opel Corsa | 1982–present | 18 | 173 |
| Opel Insignia | 2008–present | 12 | 255 |
| Opel Kadett | 1973–1994 | 11 | 128 |
| Opel Vectra | 1988–2008 | 16 | 247 |
| Opel Meriva | 2002–2017 | 4 | 52 |
| Opel Manta | 1970–1988 | 5 | 42 |
| Opel Omega | 1986–2003 | 6 | 103 |
| Opel Rekord | 1966–1986 | 8 | 87 |
| Opel Commodore | 1972–1982 | 4 | 23 |
| Opel Vivaro | 2001–present | 6 | 28 |
| Opel Frontera | 1991–2004 | 4 | 21 |
What each part of an Opel VIN means
For Opel: W0L, W0V. The first character is the region (Germany).
Opel codes the model line, body style and engine here, which is why the VIN shows which version of the Opel Astra you are looking at.
Mandatory for vehicles sold in North America; many European-market Opel VINs use a filler character here.
Model year, plant code and the unique production number of the Opel, which history reports use to link accidents, title brands and odometer readings.
The full guide: year codes, WMI countries and the check digit · Opel VIN check: history, recalls, title
Decoded Opel VIN examples
Real Opel VINs decoded on DecodeThatVIN, with the model and engine read from the code.
W0L000054R2705004Opel ASTRA F Hatchback (T92) 1.7 TDS (F08, M08, F68, M68) (1991-12)W0LJC7EE0DB175799Opel MOKKA / MOKKA X (J13) 1.6 (_76) (2012-06)W0LJD7EM0H4110658Opel MOKKA / MOKKA X (J13) 1.4 4x4 (_76) (2016-06)W0VBE8EK2H8103408Opel ASTRA K Sports Tourer (B16) 1.6 CDTi (35) (2015)W0L0XCF6864042229Opel CORSA C (X01) 1.0 (F08, F68) (2000-09)
What does an Opel VIN start with?
Usually one of these codes: W0L – Opel, Germany; W0V – Opel, after the PSA takeover (2017+). The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI); a maker can have several, one per plant, vehicle type or market.
Are Opel vehicles built in North America?
Opel has no assembly plant in North America: its vehicles come from plants abroad, and the first character of the VIN tells the region of the plant (S–Z Europe, J–R Asia).
Does the VIN show the model year of an Opel?
Yes: on Opel VINs the 10th character is the model year (see the VIN year chart). The letter repeats every 30 years, so check it against the production years of the model.
Can I see the history of an Opel from its VIN?
The free decode shows what the car is. Accidents, title brands and odometer readings are in the Opel history report; recalls are checked on the Opel VIN check page.