Making decisions based on inaccurate Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) information can cost you time and money. Getting the year, make and model right is critical for choosing parts and performing OEM-specific repairs. VINs also unlock key details like recalls, warranties and service history.
That’s where Mitchell 1’s Plate-to-VIN feature comes in. Built into ProDemand® and TruckSeries, it delivers instant, accurate vehicle descriptions with just a license plate and state. No more manual VIN lookups. No wasted keystrokes. Just faster, more accurate vehicle identification every time.
VIN Decoding Guide
Each manufacturer uses a proprietary system, but most VINs follow a standard template:
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First 3 characters (WMI): World Manufacturer Identifier – country of origin, vehicle category, or manufacturer division.
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4th–9th characters: Vehicle Descriptor Section – body style, model, engine type, and other specifics.
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Final 8 characters: Vehicle Identifier Section – unique to each manufacturer; may indicate transmission types, options, or other components.
The full 17-character VIN can provide access to vehicle reports, including ownership history and prior repairs. Car owners and repair shops can also use the NHTSA’s VIN lookup tool to check for odometer discrepancies, flood damage, salvage titles, recalls, and other red flags.
How it Works in ProDemand & TruckSeries
With Mitchell 1’s Plate-to-Vin decoder, a technician simply enters the license plate number of the vehicle requiring service and ProDemand / TruckSeries will automatically convert that to the VIN registered to that plate. The Plate-to-VIN feature speeds up the vehicle selection process by reducing the number of characters to enter. It also helps to make the vehicle identification more accurate by eliminating manual typing of the 17-digit VIN and returning specific vehicle details including the year, make, model, sub-model and engine.
Once the plate number is converted to the appropriate VIN, users can then quickly access all the information in ProDemand, including OEM color wiring diagrams, descriptions, specifications, testing steps and procedures, as well as real-world repair information and diagnostic tools in SureTrack®.
Some Common Q&As
Is the Plate-to-VIN feature in Manager™ SE the same as the Plate-to-VIN in ProDemand & TruckSeries?
Manager SE and ProDemand use the same service. Entering the same license plate in either product will yield the same results.
How often are the license plate and VIN information updated?
Plate-to-VIN information is dependent on each state’s motor vehicle agency to update the data. Some states are very quick to update information — in as little as two days — while others may take a bit longer.
Does the service fully decode the VIN?
The Plate-to-VIN service reports the full VIN (see below about the NY and PA exception). On occasion, ProDemand may ask for more qualifying information about the vehicle when the VIN is decoded. This is because the OEM does not share their “serial number” information. The serial number is the last 6 digits of the VIN and is used by the OEM to track the vehicle and some specific options. When the first 11 digits of the VIN do not decode enough information to identify the vehicle, ProDemand will ask additional questions.
Why do I get a partial Plate-to-VIN decode in Pennsylvania or New York?
Both Pennsylvania and New York observe privacy laws that prevent our Plate-to-VIN service from receiving the complete VIN. ProDemand instead gives a partial VIN, everything except the serial number portion, to decode the vehicle.
Is my data shared with CARFAX?
No. When using the Mitchell 1 Plate-to-VIN, or VIN decoder, your information is NOT shared with CARFAX.
How do I handle special characters?
If you have a special character, ignore the special character when entering the license plate. For example, let’s say this vehicle pulls into your shop with the following license plate: I(heart)CARS. The heart is a special character, and in this case, we’d follow the rule and ignore it. So you would just type in “ICARS.”
