On Toyota vehicles you will find the vehicle identification number (FIN in German, also known internationally as the VIN) in several standard positions. The easiest place to check is the lower left corner of the windscreen on the driver's side, readable from outside through the glass. In the engine bay, the VIN is — depending on the model, on the crossmember, the suspension dome panel or a separate plate — either stamped in or applied as a sticker. The number can also be found in the door frame or on the B-pillar on the driver's side, as well as in registration certificate part I (field E) and part II. Toyota vehicles built in Japan carry the WMI codes JTD or JTM; European-built models (Yaris from France, Corolla Cross from Turkey) carry the WMI VNK.
Where do I find the VIN on a Toyota?
Whether it's a Toyota Yaris, Corolla, RAV4 or Camry: the 17-character vehicle identification number sits in several clearly defined places. Toyota builds vehicles in Japan, France, Turkey and other countries, which is why different WMI codes can appear. We explain every location, decode JTD, JTM and VNK, and give you everything you need for a confident check before you buy.
All VIN positions on Toyota vehicles
When fitting the vehicle identification number, Toyota follows the international ISO standard and places the VIN in several redundant spots. The universally valid and fastest position is the lower left corner of the windscreen on the driver's side: here the VIN is readable from outside without having to open the door, and matches the Japanese as well as the European production standard in layout and location. In the engine bay — on front-engine vehicles such as the Corolla, Yaris and RAV4 — the VIN is typically located on the left crossmember or the left suspension dome cover; a torch is recommended in poor light or with a dirty engine. On the B-pillar or in the door frame on the driver's side there is a further sticker that, alongside the VIN, also contains tyre pressure data and the colour code. Anyone buying a Toyota from the European used-car market should compare the WMI code in the vehicle title with the one on the windscreen: a VNK points to European production (France or Turkey), JTD and JTM to Japan. Both are legitimate — but they must be consistent.
VIN positions on a Toyota — overview with inspection notes
| Position | Visibility | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Windscreen, lower left (driver's side) | Clearly visible from outside through the glass | Read from outside through the glass. A torch from inside improves legibility. Compare the VIN character for character with the vehicle title. |
| Engine bay (left crossmember / dome cover) | Accessible after opening the bonnet, sometimes dirty | Open the bonnet, shine a torch at the front left. Check the sticker film — glue edges or bubbles can signal tampering. |
| B-pillar / driver's-side door frame | Visible with the driver's door open | Open the driver's door, look for the sticker on the door pillar or the B-pillar. Often contains the colour code and a tyre pressure table. |
| Registration certificate part I (field E) | Entered in the document | Field E contains the officially registered VIN. It must match every position on the vehicle character for character. |
| Registration certificate part II | Entered in the vehicle title | Always inspect the original vehicle title in person. For vehicles imported from Japan, check for complete re-registration documentation. |
Toyota WMI codes — Japan and European production
| WMI code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| JTD | Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan. JTD is one of the primary WMI codes for Toyota passenger cars and light commercial vehicles built in Japan. VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is the internationally used term; in Germany the same number is called the FIN. |
| JTM | Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan. JTM is assigned to certain Toyota models built in Japan, including SUV variants and hybrid vehicles. Same meaning as JTD; the exact model allocation follows internal Toyota conventions. |
| VNK | Toyota Motor Manufacturing France / Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey — European production. VNK stands for Toyota vehicles built in France (Valenciennes, Yaris) or Turkey (Adapazari, Corolla Cross). Completely regular for a purchase in Germany. |
Special considerations when checking the VIN on Toyota vehicles
Toyota builds vehicles in more than a dozen countries worldwide, which leads to a wide range of different WMI codes. For the German used-car market, JTD, JTM (Japan) and VNK (France, Turkey) are the most common codes; buyers should know which WMI matches which model and country of production. A Yaris sold new in Germany typically carries VNK (built in Valenciennes); a RAV4 or Camry often carries JTD or JTM (Japan import). Discrepancies between the WMI and the country of production stated in the vehicle title are a warning sign. A particular point with hybrid vehicles: Toyota hybrids (Prius, Corolla Hybrid, Yaris Hybrid) do not carry a separate VIN for the battery system; the vehicle VIN is identical to the standard VIN and applies to the vehicle as a whole including the hybrid drive. On used hybrids, the condition of the high-voltage battery should be assessed by the inspector separately, as it is not encoded in the VIN. For vehicles imported from Japan (grey imports): some older Toyota models were imported directly from Japan as used vehicles and have Japanese documentation as their basis. Here the re-registration onto German papers must have been done correctly and the VIN must match in both documents.
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Frequently asked questions about the VIN on a Toyota
On the Toyota Yaris (current generation, built in France) you will find the VIN in the lower left corner of the windscreen (readable from outside), in the engine bay on the left crossmember, and on a sticker inside the driver's-side door frame. All positions and the vehicle title (field E) must match character for character.
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Our inspector comes to the vehicle, verifies the VIN at every position and assesses the bodywork, drivetrain and documents — from €289 incl. VAT plus travel costs.