How to decode a 1988 Buick Electra VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Buick Electra VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial section of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), comprising the first three characters. This unique code identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle, its country of origin, and the vehicle type. For instance, in the case of the 1988 Buick Electra, the WMI is “1G4”, indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States. Specifically, this code points to Warren, Michigan, as the city of manufacture for a passenger car. The WMI serves as an essential identifier for automotive standards worldwide, ensuring that every vehicle can be universally recognized and traced back to its maker and origin.
List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Buick Electra
WMI: 1G4
- Model Years Covered: 1982-1984, 1986-1990
- Example VIN: 1G4CW51C2J1612676
- Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Warren
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1988 Buick Electra VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1988 Buick Electra:
| Known VDS for a 1988 Buick Electra | |
|---|---|
| CW51C | BV81Y |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1988 Buick Electra VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the 1988 Buick Electra VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 1988 |
11th Character in the 1988 Buick Electra VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1988 Buick Electra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wentzville | Missouri | United States | Wentzville Assembly | 1G4CW51C2J1612676 |
| A | Lakewood Heights | Georgia | United States | Lakewood Assembly | 1G4BV81Y7JA404952 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Buick Electra
The final 6 characters in a 1988 Buick Electra’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Buick Electra’s VIN below:
How to find a 1988 Buick Electra’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1988 Buick Electra is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1988 Buick Electra. You can typically see the VIN through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area. The VIN for the Buick Electra can often be found on a sticker or a metal plate where the door latches when closed.
- Check the engine block for the VIN, which can be stamped directly on the engine in your 1988 Buick Electra, usually near the front where the engine meets the transmission.
- Examine the vehicle’s firewall. In some Buick models, the VIN may be located on a plate attached to the firewall inside the engine compartment.
- Look at the vehicle registration documents or the insurance card for your Buick Electra, as these documents should also display the vehicle’s VIN.
What info can a 1988 Buick Electra VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN reveals that the vehicle was manufactured in Wentzville, Missouri, United States, by the Wentzville Assembly plant, providing a trace of its origin and assembly quality.
- Vehicle Specifications: For example, this VIN details a BOCF manufactured Electra model, equipped with a V-Shaped engine configuration and a 3.8L (or 3800 CC) displacement, indicating its power and performance capabilities.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency: It specifies a primary fuel type of gasoline and utilizes Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) for fuel delivery, which may influence fuel efficiency and performance.
- Safety Features: The seat belt type specified is manual, giving a glimpse into the safety features and standards of the time.
- Body Class and Size: The body class is noted as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, providing insight into the vehicle’s design and functionality intended for passenger comfort.
- Engine Details: It comes with a 6-cylinder engine, which can be a balance between performance and fuel economy, tailored for those who value a smooth and efficient ride.
Don’t have your 1988 Buick Electra’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Buick Electra
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 3800.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 231.89022755998 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.8 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | BOCF |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Electra |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Plant City | Wentzville |
| Plant Company Name | Wentzville assembly |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Missouri |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G4CW51C*J1 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G4CW51C2J1612676 |
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today