MecaVIN identifies the exact trim level of a vehicle from its 17-character VIN. The database covers 34 brands, 605 models, and 7,993 trim levels marketed in Europe. Identification is immediate and requires no vehicle documents. The report specifies the trim level, engine, production date, and original equipment.
MecaVIN Coverage
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Brands covered | 34 |
| Referenced models | 605 |
| Referenced trim levels | 7,993 |
| Referenced engines | 8,301 |
| Trim-equipment associations | 59,643 |
| Accepted inputs | VIN or license plate |
| Delivery time | Immediate |
Identify a Vehicle
Enter VIN or license plate — immediate identification
The VIN can be found on the registration document in box E. It is also stamped at the bottom of the driver's side windshield and on a plate affixed to the driver's door pillar.
Methods for Identifying a Trim Level
| Method | Result | Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Registration document | Brand, model, engine | Does not indicate commercial trim level |
| Dealership | Exact trim level | Travel required, waiting time, single brand |
| Forums and groups | Estimate | Unreliable, unverified |
| Spare parts catalogs | Part compatibility | Does not provide the trim level |
| Free VIN decoders | Brand, country, year | Stop at the first characters |
| MecaVIN | Trim level, equipment, production date | Requires the full VIN |
Contents of a MecaVIN Report
A MecaVIN report contains:
- the vehicle's commercial trim level
- the original engine and power output
- the production date
- factory-fitted equipment
- original options with their new value
Data Origin
MecaVIN queries the technical databases of manufacturer networks and European homologation databases. Coverage varies by brand and production years: vehicles from European manufacturers produced since 1990 are the best covered. Certain parallel import vehicles and very old series cannot be identified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find a car's VIN?
The VIN is listed in box E of the registration document. It is also stamped at the bottom of the driver's side windshield and on a plate affixed to the driver's door pillar.
Does the registration document show the trim level?
The registration document does not indicate the commercial trim level. Box D.2 mentions a technical homologation code, which does not allow distinguishing between two trim levels of the same model without the manufacturer's database.
Can you determine the trim level using the license plate?
The license plate allows tracking down the VIN, which then grants access to the trim level. MecaVIN accepts both inputs for vehicles registered in Europe. The procedure is detailed in the guide finding the trim level with the license plate.
Is a free VIN decoder enough?
Free decoders use the first characters of the VIN, which identify the manufacturer, country, and vehicle type. The trim level is contained in the following characters, which are specific to each manufacturer and require access to their technical database.
How long does an identification take?
Identification is immediate. The report is generated a few seconds after entering the VIN or license plate.
Identification Examples
| Vehicle | Identified Trim Level |
|---|---|
| Citroën C3 | Exclusive (2010-2016) |
| Peugeot 208 | GT Line (2019-2023) |
| Peugeot 308 | Allure (2013-2021) |
Each identification retrieves the exact trim level recorded by the manufacturer, even when multiple generations of the same model share trim names.
Additional illustration
