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Hyundai VIN decoder for Australia and NZ
Most Hyundais in Australia and New Zealand are built in Korea, but the i30 has also come from the Czech Republic and some small cars such as the earlier i20 from India. The first three characters of the VIN show which factory built yours.
Hyundai manufacturer codes (WMI)
The first three characters of the VIN are the world manufacturer identifier. These are the Hyundai codes you will see most often in Australia and New Zealand:
| VIN starts with | Meaning |
|---|---|
KMH | Hyundai car built in Korea |
KM8 | Hyundai SUV built in Korea |
KMF | Hyundai van or light truck (iLoad, Staria Load) |
TMA | Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Czech |
MAL | Hyundai Motor India |
Model year in a Hyundai VIN
Korean-built Hyundais usually use position 10 for the model year, but the build plate is the authority for registration.
Buying a used Hyundai
Popular models here: i30, Tucson, Kona, Santa Fe, Venue, iLoad.
Ex-rental and fleet i30s and Tucsons are common on the used market; ask for the service history and compare the odometer with past records.
Hyundai VIN questions
What is the difference between KMH and KM8 on a Hyundai?
Both are Korean Hyundai codes. In the manufacturer code list KMH stands for passenger cars and KM8 for SUVs, while KMF covers vans and light trucks. Vehicles built for different markets do not always follow the same split, so the build plate confirms the model.
My Hyundai VIN starts with TMA – is it a grey import?
No. TMA is Hyundai's factory in the Czech Republic, which has supplied versions of the i30 sold new in Australia. It is not a sign of a private import on its own.