How to decode a 2012 Ferrari California VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Ferrari California VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing critical information about where and by whom a vehicle was made. For instance, the WMI for Ferrari S.p.A., specifically for the 2012 Ferrari California, is “ZFF”. This code positions the vehicle as originating from Italy, more accurately pinpointed to the city of Modena. The WMI forms the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which further details the vehicle’s specifications, model year, and unique identification. Through the WMI, one can discern that the 2012 Ferrari California is a luxury passenger car produced by Ferrari, highlighting its prestigious Italian craftsmanship.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Ferrari California

WMI: ZFF

Model Years Covered: 2010-2014
Example VIN: ZFF65TJA1C0186402
Manufacturer Name: Ferrari S.p.A.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Modena
State or Province:
Country: Italy

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 Ferrari California 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 2012 Ferrari California:

Known VDS for a 2012 Ferrari California
65TJA	65LJA	65LHA

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 2012 Ferrari California 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 2012 Ferrari California VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

11th Character in the 2012 Ferrari California VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 Ferrari California Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
0	Maranello	Emilia-Romagna	Italy		ZFF65TJA1C0186402

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Ferrari California

The final 6 characters in a 2012 Ferrari California’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ferrari California’s VIN below:

How to find a 2012 Ferrari California’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Ferrari California is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2012 Ferrari California. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on a small plaque near the bottom corner.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side door of your Ferrari California. You might find the VIN on a sticker or a plate where the door latches when closed.
Inspect the engine block of your Ferrari California, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
Check the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or title, as the VIN will be listed on any official documentation related to your 2012 Ferrari California.
Search for the VIN in the rear wheel well above the tire. In some vehicles, the VIN might be found in this unusual but accessible location.
Review the front frame of the Ferrari California as the VIN may be located on the frame near the windshield washer fluid container.

What info can a 2012 Ferrari California VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating it is from 2012, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN specifies the body class as a convertible/cabriolet with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN indicates that the vehicle was assembled in Maranello, Italy, specifically in the region of Emilia-Romagna, providing additional manufacturing insights.
Engine Specifications: The VIN reveals that the engine is manufactured by FERRARI, with the model F136IH, showcasing a displacement of 4297 CC (262.219 CI or 4.297 L) and primed for gasoline fuel, offering valuable insights into the vehicle’s power and fuel efficiency.
Transmission Type: The vehicle employs a Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT), which may enhance the driving experience with smoother gear shifts and improved performance.
Safety Features: The VIN indicates the presence of front airbags for the driver and passenger, side airbags for the first row, and advanced safety systems including 3-point safety belts with pretensioners, load limiters, and advanced front and side airbags, potentially indicating a high level of safety in the vehicle.
Destination Market: The VIN suggests that this FERRARI California is intended for markets in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada, which may indicate its compliance with the automotive regulations and standards of these regions.
Additional Features: The VIN details manual seat belts and a pretensioner system, potentially ensuring both safety and comfort for the occupants.

Don’t have your 2012 Ferrari California’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Ferrari California

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Destination Market	U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada
Displacement (CC)	4297
Displacement (CI)	262.219028375
Displacement (L)	4.297000
Doors	2
Engine Manufacturer	FERRARI
Engine Model	F136IH
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	California
Model Year	2012
Other Restraint System Info	3-point Safety Belts w / Pretensioner, Load Limiter, Advanced Front AB & Side AB, w/o Passenger AB ON-OFF Switch on Front Seats; 3-point Safety Belts w / Load Limiter & Two Lower Anchorages for each Rear seat.
Plant City	Maranello
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Italy
Plant State	Emilia-Romagna
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Transmission Style	Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT)
Vehicle Descriptor	ZFF65TJA*C0
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	ZFF65TJA1C0186402