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Kia VIN decoder
A Kia VIN has 17 characters, and Kia VINs commonly start with KNA, KNE and U5Y, which identify the manufacturer and where the car was built. North-American-market Kia VINs always encode the model year in position 10. European-market VINs from this maker may not, so RevalVIN asks for the model year when it matters. RevalVIN decodes Kia VINs from €0.10 per result and adds stolen, mileage, valuation and ownership-cost checks.
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Kia VIN prefixes
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI).
| VIN starts with | Meaning |
|---|---|
KNA | Kia (South Korea) |
KNE | Kia export (South Korea) |
U5Y | Kia (Slovakia) |
Common prefixes, not an exhaustive list.
Does a Kia VIN show the model year?
North-American-market Kia VINs always encode the model year in position 10. European-market VINs from this maker may not, so RevalVIN asks for the model year when it matters.
RevalVIN never guesses the model year from a registration date. If a recorded first-registration date is earlier than the manufacture year, it shows the manufacture year instead. The model year code table explains each character.
Where to find the VIN on a Kia
- At the base of the windscreen on the driver's side, readable from outside the car
- On a label in the driver's door frame
- On the registration document, such as the V5C in the UK or the Zulassungsbescheinigung in Germany
- In the service book and on insurance documents
Compare the VIN in at least two places before buying.
What you can check for a Kia
| Check | Coverage | Wallet price |
|---|---|---|
| VIN decode | Any Kia VIN | €0.10 |
| Stolen vehicle check | 5 national police databases | €0.20 |
| Mileage history | Where odometer records exist | €0.20 |
| Vehicle photos | Where photos were published | €0.20 |
| Market valuation | 24 markets | €0.30 |
| Time to sell | 13 markets, where enough listings exist | €0.30 |
| Cost of ownership | 4 countries | €0.30 |
| Market listings | Current market listings | €0.10 |
| Safety recalls | Vehicles sold in the United States | €0.10 |
Commonly checked Kia models: Sportage, Ceed, Niro and Picanto. Get them all at once in the Complete report.
Individual vehicle records, not a comprehensive accident, title or ownership report. Missing records do not prove a clean history.
Frequently asked questions
What do Kia VINs start with?
Common Kia VIN prefixes include KNA (Kia (South Korea)), KNE (Kia export (South Korea)), U5Y (Kia (Slovakia)). This is not an exhaustive list.
Does a Kia VIN show the model year?
North-American-market Kia VINs always encode the model year in position 10. European-market VINs from this maker may not, so RevalVIN asks for the model year when it matters.
How much does a Kia VIN check cost?
A VIN decode costs €0.10 per successful result from a RevalVIN wallet. The Complete report, with history, value and ownership-cost sections, costs up to €0.99 from a wallet or €3.99 by card.
Where is the VIN on a Kia?
Usually at the base of the windscreen on the driver's side, on a label in the driver's door frame, and on the registration document.
Check a Kia before you buy
Create a free account, decode the VIN and add the history and value checks you need.