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Kia VIN decoder for Australia and NZ
Kia vehicles sold in Australia and New Zealand come mostly from Korea, with the code KNA on passenger cars and KND on SUVs. Some European-market models are built in Slovakia.
Kia manufacturer codes (WMI)
The first three characters of the VIN are the world manufacturer identifier. These are the Kia codes you will see most often in Australia and New Zealand:
| VIN starts with | Meaning |
|---|---|
KNA | Kia car built in Korea |
KND | Kia SUV or MPV built in Korea |
KNC | Kia truck |
KNE | Kia for Europe export |
U5Y / U6Y | Kia Motors Slovakia |
Model year in a Kia VIN
Korean-built Kias usually use position 10 for the model year. If the year in the advertisement does not match the VIN and the build plate, ask the seller why.
Buying a used Kia
Popular models here: Sportage, Cerato, Seltos, Sorento, Carnival, Picanto.
Kia's factory warranty passes to the next owner while it is still running, but claims depend on a documented service history – ask for it, and check the vehicle history for past write-offs and damage. Sportage, Cerato and Seltos models are also common in rental fleets, so ex-rental cars with high kilometres for their age and small panel repairs are easy to find.
Kia VIN questions
What is the difference between KNA and KND on a Kia?
In the manufacturer code list KNA stands for Kia passenger cars and KND for SUVs and people movers. Either way the vehicle was built in Korea; the build plate confirms the exact model.
Does a Kia VIN show the model year?
On Korean-built Kias position 10 usually holds the model year code, so the decoder can show it. Compare it with the build plate and with the year in the advertisement.