Have you bought a used car and want to check whether the actual engine power matches what is stated in the documents? Or are you planning to apply for compulsory motor liability insurance, but are not sure of the accuracy of the horsepower data? In both cases VIN code will become your main assistant. This unique vehicle identifier stores the entire history of the vehicle, including engine specifications. But we’ll tell you in detail how exactly to decrypt this data and where to check it.
In Russia, engine power is indicated in horsepower (hp) and directly affects the cost of insurance, transport tax and even the ability to participate in some races. The error is only 10–15 hp. may result in an overpayment of thousands of rubles per year. Fortunately, The VIN code allows you to find out the exact power even if the documents are lost or contain incorrect data — the main thing is to know where and how to look.
In this article we will analyze all the current methods of checking horsepower by VIN code: from official government services to specialized databases for auto experts. You will learn which documents contain reliable information, how to avoid fraud when buying a used car, and what to do if the data in different sources does not match.
What is a VIN code and where to find it in a car
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-digit code that is assigned to each vehicle at the factory. It contains information about the manufacturer, model, year of manufacture, engine type and even country of assembly. To check horsepower, it is those symbols that are important that are responsible for engine modification (usually the 8th character and group 4 to 9).
You can find your VIN in several places:
- 📄 B STS (registration certificate) — the line “VIN” or “Identification number”.
- 🚗 On car body:
- Under the windshield on the driver's side (visible from outside).
- On the driver's door pillar (on a plate with a sticker).
- Under the hood (on a special platform or cylinder block).
- 📑 B PTS (vehicle passport) - at the top of the document.
- 🔧 On chassis or frame (for trucks and SUVs).
⚠️ Attention: If the VIN code on the body and in the documents does not match, this is a sign interrupted number (a common practice with stolen or damaged cars). In this case, it is better to refuse the purchase or conduct an examination.
Before buying a used car, always check the VIN code in 3 places: STS, PTS and on the body. Fraudsters often falsify documents, but it is almost impossible to change the number on the body without leaving traces.
Method 1: Check through the official website of the traffic police
The most reliable and free way to find out horsepower by VIN code is to use car history check service on the traffic police website. This method works for all cars registered in Russia and shows data from the official database.
Step by step instructions:
- Go to the site Traffic police - Car check.
- Enter the VIN code in the appropriate field (without spaces or dashes).
- Enter captcha and click "Request Review".
- In the results, find the block "Technical data" — there will be a line "Engine power, hp".
⚠️ Attention: If the car has never been registered in Russia (for example, it was imported from abroad less than 30 days ago), the data in the traffic police may be missing. In this case, use alternative methods.
Check that the VIN code is entered correctly (17 characters without spaces)|Make sure that the car is registered in the Russian Federation|Try another browser or device|Use paid services (Autocode, CarVertical)
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| Service | Cost | Data Accuracy | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| traffic police | Free | 100% (official data) | Only for cars registered in the Russian Federation |
| Autocode | From 349 ₽ | 95% (traffic police database + own sources) | Shows power history (whether there have been changes) |
| CarVertical | From 599 ₽ | 90% (international bases) | Suitable for foreign cars imported from Europe/USA |
| VINformer | From 290 ₽ | 85% (data aggregator) | Sometimes it shows power in kW (needs to be converted) |
Method 2: Online services for checking VIN (Autocode, CarVertical, etc.)
If there is no data in the traffic police or you want to receive expanded information, use paid services. They aggregate data from various sources, including foreign databases, and often show history of power changes (for example, after chip tuning).
Top 3 services for checking:
- 🔍 Autocode (avtocod.ru) - the most popular in Russia. Shows horsepower, ownership history, participation in accidents and traffic police restrictions. Cost of the report:
349 ₽. - 🌍 CarVertical (carvertical.com) - suitable for foreign cars. Uses European and American databases. Price: from
599 ₽. - 📊 VINformer (vinformer.su) - a budget option with basic data. Sometimes it shows power in
kW- don’t forget to convert (1 kW ≈ 1.36 hp).
Sample report from Autocode:
Model: Toyota Camry (XV50), 2014
VIN: JTMBK31U80D*
Engine: 2.5 l, 4 cylinders
Power: 181 hp (133 kW)
Fuel type: Gasoline AI-95
⚠️ Attention: Some services may show factory capacity, and not the one indicated in Russian documents. For example, after chip tuning, the power in the PTS does not change, but the Autocode report may display the original value. In controversial cases, rely on the traffic police data.
Method 3: Deciphering the VIN code manually (for experienced)
If you don't trust online services or want to figure it out yourself, you can decrypt the VIN manually. For this you will need decoding table for a specific manufacturer. For example, at Toyota, Volkswagen and BMW their notation systems.
General algorithm:
- Define manufacturer by the first 3 characters of VIN (WMI code). For example:
XTA— Toyota (Japan).WDB— Mercedes-Benz (Germany).ZFA— Fiat (Italy).
D = 2013, E = 2014CBFA means 1.4 TSI engine with 122 hp.Example of VIN code decoding Volkswagen Golf:
VIN: WVWZZZ1KZBW*
WVW - Manufacturer (Volkswagen, Germany)
1KZ – Model (Golf 6)
B - Body type (Hatchback)
W - Engine (1.4 TSI, 122 hp)
🔹 Where can I find decoding tables?
- 📖 Official manufacturer’s manuals (for example, ETKA for VW/Audi).
- 🌐 Specialized forums (for example, Drive2).
- 📱 Mobile applications (for example, VIN Decoder for Android/iOS).
How to find out power by engine code?
If you find an engine code (for example, N43B20A from BMW), enter it into a search engine with the request "engine code + hp power". The first results usually lead to forums or Wikipedia with accurate data. For example, N43B20A - This is a 2.0-liter engine with a power of 150–170 hp. depending on the firmware.
Method 4: Checking by PTS and STS (documentary method)
If you have it in your hands PTS (vehicle passport) or STS (registration certificate), the engine power is indicated there without fail. In the PTS this is the item "10. Engine power, hp (kW)", in STS - the line "12. Engine power".
⚠️ Attention: In some old PTS (issued before 2010), power may only be indicated in kW. To convert to horsepower, use the formula:
1 kW = 1.35962 hp
Example: 100 kW × 1.35962 ≈ 136 hp.
What to do if the data in the PTS and STS do not match?
- 🔄 Check if there was design changes (for example, after an engine swap).
- 📋 Contact the traffic police to clarify the data (an examination may be required).
- 🚨 If the difference is significant (more than 20 hp), this may be a sign of fraud (for example, understating power to reduce tax).
Data in the PTS has the highest priority over online services. If the Autocode report indicates a power of 150 hp, and the PTS indicates 140 hp, it is the documents that are important for the traffic police and tax authorities.
Method 5: Expertise in a car service or traffic police
If all of the above methods do not give a clear answer (for example, conflicting data or a car with non-standard tuning), the only reliable option is conducting an examination. It can be done:
- 🔧 B car service with a dynamometer stand — they will measure the real power on the wheels (cost:
1 500–3 000 ₽). - 📋B traffic police — they will check the documentation and technical condition (free of charge, but by appointment).
- 🔍 B independent expert organization — they will issue an opinion for the court or insurance (cost:
3 000–5 000 ₽).
📌 When is an examination needed?
- 🚗 Machine with chip tuning (power increased by software).
- 🔄 Engine replaced by another (not regular).
- ⚖️ There is a dispute with the traffic police or an insurance company.
⚠️ Attention: If after the examination it turns out that the actual power exceeds that indicated in the documents by more than 25%, you will have to re-register the car at the traffic police department. This will entail a change in vehicle category (for example, from “B” to “C”) and an increase in transport tax.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
When checking horsepower by VIN code, many make typical mistakes that lead to incorrect conclusions. Here are the most common of them:
- Use of unofficial databases. Some sites (such as free "VIN checkers") show outdated or inaccurate data. Always check the information with the traffic police or paid services.
- Ignoring change history. The power may have been changed after tuning, but this will not be reflected in the VIN code. Always check the vehicle's history.
- Confusion between kW and hp In European cars, power is often indicated in kilowatts. Don't forget to convert:
100 kW ≈ 136 hp - Reliance on the “oral” information of the seller. Fraudsters often underestimate power to reduce taxes. Always check your documents!
🔹 How to avoid problems?
- 🔍 Check the VIN in at least 2-3 sources.
- 📑 Check the data with PTS and STS.
- 🚗 If you buy a car second-hand, ask for diagnostics from a service center.
If the power in the documents and the Autocode report differs by more than 10%, this is a reason to be wary. Perhaps the car was in an accident, after which the engine was replaced with another one.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to find out the power by the VIN code if the car is not registered in Russia?
Yes, but only through international services like CarVertical or Carfax. They work with databases from Europe, the USA and Japan. However, the accuracy may be lower than that of Russian services.
What to do if the VIN code is interrupted or unreadable?
In this case, you need to contact the traffic police to carry out forensic examination. If the car is stolen, it will be confiscated. If the number is simply damaged (for example, after an accident), you can restore the documents through the court.
Why is the power in kW in PTS, and in hp in STS?
This is normal practice: in the PTS (international document) the power is indicated in kW, and in the STS (Russian document) - in hp. To convert, use the coefficient 1,35962.
Can the power in the documents differ from the real one?
Yes, if:
- The engine was replaced with a more powerful one (or vice versa).
- Chip tuning (ECU firmware) has been carried out.
- An error was made in the documents during registration.
In such cases, expertise is required.
How to check power if there is no VIN code (old car)?
Vehicles older than 1980 may not have a VIN. In this case:
- Look for power by model and year of manufacture in the manufacturer's catalogs.
- Check engine number (usually stamped on the cylinder block).
- Contact brand owners club — there are databases of rare models.