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Considering a used Air Touring, VIN Decoding is not a good way to see options

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Kpyto71

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My wife and I are considering purchasing an Air (Touring). Reading this forum, doing some research, and having test driven two of them, we are getting closer to know what year (2024/2025), and what options we would like to have. In the two visits we've had to a dealer (not Lucid) to look at / test drive, we are running into the same issue... they don't know what they have. We ask about Dream Drive, we ask about the Audio, the different packages... and they stare at us, and then tell us they really don't know what options the car has - and on both occasions, the salesperson from the dealership has gone on their first ride in one with us. Cool. I know more than they do about what options are potentially on the car. Of course, there is also a difference in price that goes with that. So... my question...

Is there a way to decode parts of the VIN to allow me to see the options/packages that are on the car? Because if the dealer doesn't know what they bought at auction, or aren't knowledgeable enough about the car in general, then how are they going to tell me what I'm looking to buy? For sure I'm able to see the things that are physcially different (Dream Drive Pro has a cameras in the pillars for example), but what about 20 way seats, Surreal Sound vs. Surreal Sound Pro... etc.? If for any other purpose than to be armed with good information to work a good price, or even just to know that I'm getting what I want in the car that is not obvious looking at it.

Thanks in advance!
 
Decoding a Lucid Air VIN is best achieved by entering the 17-digit number into the NHTSA VIN Decoder. The VIN reveals essential details, such as the 1st character for country (5=USA), 3rd for manufacturer (E=Lucid Motors), 10th for model year, and positions 4-8 indicating series, motor, and safety specs.
Key Lucid Air VIN Decoding Details (Example: 50EA...)
  • 1st Character (Country): 5 denotes the USA.
  • 2nd Character (Manufacturer): 0 denotes Lucid Motors.
  • 3rd Character (Manufacturer Details): E represents Lucid USA, Inc..
  • 4th-8th Characters: These positions define the specific Air model, body style, powertrain, and safety systems. For example, a 2023 Air might use 'A' or 'E' in the 4th position to denote the series.
  • 10th Character (Model Year): Represents the year (e.g., 'P' = 2023, 'R' = 2024, 'S' = 2025).
  • 11th Character (Plant): Indicates the manufacturing location (often 'A' or 'M' for Arizona).
  • 12th-17th Characters: Sequential production serial number.
How to Find and Use the VIN
  • Locating the VIN: Check the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's side door pillar sticker, or your vehicle registration/title.
  • Detailed VIN Lookup: Use free, detailed VIN decoders like VINinspect or the NHTSA tool.
  • For Specific Options: Many owners recommend calling Lucid Customer Service for the most accurate, options-specific information on a particular vehicle, as some database listings may be inaccurate.
Note: For official and accurate information, always use the tool on the official NHTSA website.
Kelley Blue Book
Kelley Blue Book +1
 
I'm running into the same problem. The VIN will not tell you the information you are requesting.
 
Kpyto71 said:
My wife and I are considering purchasing an Air (Touring). Reading this forum, doing some research, and having test driven two of them, we are getting closer to know what year (2024/2025), and what options we would like to have. In the two visits we've had to a dealer (not Lucid) to look at / test drive, we are running into the same issue... they don't know what they have. We ask about Dream Drive, we ask about the Audio, the different packages... and they stare at us, and then tell us they really don't know what options the car has - and on both occasions, the salesperson from the dealership has gone on their first ride in one with us. Cool. I know more than they do about what options are potentially on the car. Of course, there is also a difference in price that goes with that. So... my question...

Is there a way to decode parts of the VIN to allow me to see the options/packages that are on the car? Because if the dealer doesn't know what they bought at auction, or aren't knowledgeable enough about the car in general, then how are they going to tell me what I'm looking to buy? For sure I'm able to see the things that are physcially different (Dream Drive Pro has a cameras in the pillars for example), but what about 20 way seats, Surreal Sound vs. Surreal Sound Pro... etc.? If for any other purpose than to be armed with good information to work a good price, or even just to know that I'm getting what I want in the car that is not obvious looking at it.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Your best bet is to see the original sticker. If you can't find that…
Audio: if it sounds like crap, you don't have the Pro version. It's a significant difference.
Dream Drive: if you can activate hands-free driving, you have Pro. If you can still see a 3-D visual of the car while parking, you have at least Premium.
Seats: if you see the Massage menu, you have the upgraded 20 way power with ventilation
Comfort and Convenience: check for soft close doors, power frunk.

Also note that the 2025 has a heat pump, the upgraded infotainment hardware so you won't need to bother upgrading later to get version 3.0 software, DD Premium standard (optional 2024), upgraded motor mounts to reduce whine. If the cost difference is not too much, highly recommended to go with the 2025 model.
 
For sspro the easiest way is to check for speakers on trim between windshield and window door (A pillar). For 20 position seat look on pilot panel for icon and wording " massage" just above the car image. 20 positions seat = massage seat. For Touring the 20 positions seat are only available on synthetic leather. So you will have to choose between "massage" or "Leather" seat for 24-25 model year. That's what happen to me when I bought my 24 Touring. I went for leather for durability but I would have both if available at that time. Sorry for picture quality.
 

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Kpyto71 said:
My wife and I are considering purchasing an Air (Touring). Reading this forum, doing some research, and having test driven two of them, we are getting closer to know what year (2024/2025), and what options we would like to have. In the two visits we've had to a dealer (not Lucid) to look at / test drive, we are running into the same issue... they don't know what they have. We ask about Dream Drive, we ask about the Audio, the different packages... and they stare at us, and then tell us they really don't know what options the car has - and on both occasions, the salesperson from the dealership has gone on their first ride in one with us. Cool. I know more than they do about what options are potentially on the car. Of course, there is also a difference in price that goes with that. So... my question...

Is there a way to decode parts of the VIN to allow me to see the options/packages that are on the car? Because if the dealer doesn't know what they bought at auction, or aren't knowledgeable enough about the car in general, then how are they going to tell me what I'm looking to buy? For sure I'm able to see the things that are physcially different (Dream Drive Pro has a cameras in the pillars for example), but what about 20 way seats, Surreal Sound vs. Surreal Sound Pro... etc.? If for any other purpose than to be armed with good information to work a good price, or even just to know that I'm getting what I want in the car that is not obvious looking at it.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Call service and provide the VIN. They can give you the high level details.
 
ME2U said:
For sspro the easiest way is to check for speakers on trim between windshield and window door (A pillar). For 20 position seat look on pilot panel for icon and wording " massage" just above the car image. 20 positions seat = massage seat. For Touring the 20 positions seat are only available on synthetic leather. So you will have to choose between "massage" or "Leather" seat for 24-25 model year. That's what happen to me when I bought my 24 Touring. I went for leather for durability but I would have both if available at that time. Sorry for picture quality.
Click to expand...
Non SSP has the grill in the pillars but no speaker

Easy was is to look at the rear shelf from under the trunk. If there’s three speakers it’s SSP
 
socktucker said:
Non SSP has the grill in the pillars but no speaker

Easy was is to look at the rear shelf from under the trunk. If there’s three speakers it’s SSP
Click to expand...
1. My 2025 has no grill at all in the A pillar

2. The rear under the shelf is covered. You'd have to remove the liner (easiest with the removal tool to avoid breaking the pins) to see the speakers.
 
How does your dealer expect to set a price without knowing what the car is equipped with? Sounds like a clownshow!
 
Thanks to all for the replys. I appreciate the tips for how to tell what the vehicles we look at have. For remote vehicles, I'll ask for the VIN and call service. Interesting note about the 20 way seats being pleather, but the non-massage seats being leather. Decisions, decisions....
We have a few things that we want - SSPro, Convenience Package, Dream Drive premium. Other things we are looking at as nice to have (DD Pro - but I'm not sold on having to pay more for something that is maybe not going to get the full self driving capabilities, glass roof - my concerns are the heat and road noise). As for colors... we'd possibly consider an Infinite black metalic with the Tahoe interior, or maybe a Cosmos Silver with Santa Cruz interior. I'm not a fan of the Mojave, but the wife likes it...
Still looking, but at least we are zeroing in on our desired config. We'll try to see as many as we can locally to help us decide on colors. Not in a hurry, but hopefully the right one will come along.
 
Kpyto71 said:
My wife and I are considering purchasing an Air (Touring). Reading this forum, doing some research, and having test driven two of them, we are getting closer to know what year (2024/2025), and what options we would like to have. In the two visits we've had to a dealer (not Lucid) to look at / test drive, we are running into the same issue... they don't know what they have. We ask about Dream Drive, we ask about the Audio, the different packages... and they stare at us, and then tell us they really don't know what options the car has - and on both occasions, the salesperson from the dealership has gone on their first ride in one with us. Cool. I know more than they do about what options are potentially on the car. Of course, there is also a difference in price that goes with that. So... my question...

Is there a way to decode parts of the VIN to allow me to see the options/packages that are on the car? Because if the dealer doesn't know what they bought at auction, or aren't knowledgeable enough about the car in general, then how are they going to tell me what I'm looking to buy? For sure I'm able to see the things that are physcially different (Dream Drive Pro has a cameras in the pillars for example), but what about 20 way seats, Surreal Sound vs. Surreal Sound Pro... etc.? If for any other purpose than to be armed with good information to work a good price, or even just to know that I'm getting what I want in the car that is not obvious looking at it.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
When perusing photos of vehicles available for sale, look at the B-pillar. If there is not a camera positioned on the B-pillar the car DOES NOT have Dream Drive Pro. If it does have cameras it MIGHT have Dream Drive Pro. There are some AT built in 2023 that have the hardware but not necessarily the functionality. You can "purchase" the functionality. I think that for 2024 and on anything that has DDP hardware has DDP functionality. Someone please feel free to correct me if this is in error.

May have DDP (ignore the blue dot)
1776104174695.webp
Does not have DDP
1776104252805.webp
 
Kpyto71 said:
My wife and I are considering purchasing an Air (Touring). Reading this forum, doing some research, and having test driven two of them, we are getting closer to know what year (2024/2025), and what options we would like to have. In the two visits we've had to a dealer (not Lucid) to look at / test drive, we are running into the same issue... they don't know what they have. We ask about Dream Drive, we ask about the Audio, the different packages... and they stare at us, and then tell us they really don't know what options the car has - and on both occasions, the salesperson from the dealership has gone on their first ride in one with us. Cool. I know more than they do about what options are potentially on the car. Of course, there is also a difference in price that goes with that. So... my question...

Is there a way to decode parts of the VIN to allow me to see the options/packages that are on the car? Because if the dealer doesn't know what they bought at auction, or aren't knowledgeable enough about the car in general, then how are they going to tell me what I'm looking to buy? For sure I'm able to see the things that are physcially different (Dream Drive Pro has a cameras in the pillars for example), but what about 20 way seats, Surreal Sound vs. Surreal Sound Pro... etc.? If for any other purpose than to be armed with good information to work a good price, or even just to know that I'm getting what I want in the car that is not obvious looking at it.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
If you can get to the car in person does it still have it's original Monroney somewhere?
 
I went through this same challenge last year when I bought my 2023 Lucid AGT. A quick call to customer service gave me all of the information I needed on the car simply by providing the VIN. This seems to be a common issue and they're happy to do it for you.
 
Glass roof is hot but it’s still very quiet. The visors are weird tho they kind of, idk, make it not as wow factor as it could be.
 
socktucker said:
Glass roof is hot but it’s still very quiet. The visors are weird tho they kind of, idk, make it not as wow factor as it could be.
Click to expand...
I wanted the glass roof but "settled" on a '24 AT with DDPro, SSPro, C&C with ~6K miles. Now, I am totally satisfied with the aluminium roof.
 
I feel the same way on the roof. Initially I thought glass would be cool but now very happy without it on my 2026 "used" (160 miles) Air Touring. Same challenges here on the VIN decode issue, just needed to be patient and figure it all out. Priorities for me were Tahoe interior....love it....and DDPro.
 
bmair said:
I feel the same way on the roof. Initially I thought glass would be cool but now very happy without it on my 2026 "used" (160 miles) Air Touring. Same challenges here on the VIN decode issue, just needed to be patient and figure it all out. Priorities for me were Tahoe interior....love it....and DDPro.
Click to expand...
It’s not as neat as i thought it would be. It’s just like Tesla, hot and kinda pointless. With no built in cover it kinda sucks. I like the way BMW does it, has full retractable cover and the glass changes color themes with the dashboard. It’s incredible actually. Besides that I haven’t really seen a cool glass roof.
 
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