# VIN Extract (https://docs.carlio.app/docs/inventory/add-a-car-from-a-label-photo)

Read the VIN from a photo of a vehicle label and open the form with the car details filled in



This guide reads the VIN from a photo of a vehicle label and prefills the form for a new car.

**Requirements:** The Owner or Manager role. The monthly car limit of the plan applies when the car is saved. See [Add a car to the inventory](/docs/inventory/add-a-car).

## Steps [#steps]

1. Open **[Inventory](https://carlio.app/dashboard/inventory)**.
2. Open the menu beside **Add Vehicle**, which has the label **More ways to add a vehicle**.
3. Select **VIN Extract**. The **VIN Extract** dialog opens.
4. Select **Choose photo**, or drop an image on the dialog. The image can be a door sticker, an engine plate or a dashboard plate that shows the VIN.
5. Wait while the dialog shows **Reading the VIN...**.
6. Follow the case that applies.
7. Review the details in the **Add a Vehicle** dialog and select **Add Vehicle**.

![The VIN Extract dialog with the Choose Photo button and the Enter Details Manually button](https://storage.carlio.app/public/docs/a85f4481-ac84-4b63-a7e4-2ee95ac5a481.webp)

## Cases after the photo is read [#cases-after-the-photo-is-read]

| Case                                              | Result                                                                                                                                          |
| ------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| The VIN is complete and every character is clear  | The dialog decodes the VIN without further input and opens **Add a Vehicle** with the details filled in                                         |
| Some characters are unclear                       | The **Extracted VIN** field appears with the positions to check. Positions start at 1. Correct the VIN against the photo and select **Use VIN** |
| The label shows a chassis number instead of a VIN | The dialog shows the chassis number and states that a 17-character VIN is required                                                              |
| No VIN can be read                                | The dialog shows the reason. Choose a clearer photo or select **Enter details manually**                                                        |

The **Extracted VIN** field accepts edits. The **Use VIN** button stays unavailable until the field holds a valid VIN of 17 characters without the letters I, O and Q.

Select **Change photo** to read another image. Select **Enter details manually** at any time to open an empty form. The form keeps the VIN when the VIN is valid.

## Limits [#limits]

* The image must be a JPG, PNG or WebP file of at most 8 MB.
* The dashboard shows a message for any other file type or a larger file.

## Notes [#notes]

* The form opens with the description **Review the VIN and vehicle details before adding this vehicle**. The car does not exist until **Add Vehicle** is selected.
* When the VIN decode fails, the dialog shows the message and keeps the photo. Select **Enter details manually** to continue.
* Check every prefilled field against the car. The label reading and the VIN decode can both be incomplete.