How to decode a 1997 Mazda 626 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Mazda 626 VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer around the globe to distinguish their products. This code, which consists of the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), not only identifies the manufacturer but sometimes also provides information about the vehicle type and manufacturing location. For the 1997 Mazda 626, the WMI is “1YV”, indicating that it was manufactured by Auto Alliance International in the USA, specifically in Washington, DC. This highlights not just the origin of the vehicle, but also the collaborative nature of its production, as Auto Alliance International represents a partnership between different automotive companies. Recognizing the importance of WMIs helps in understanding the global automotive industry’s structure and the lineage of individual vehicles.
List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Mazda 626
WMI: 1YV
- Model Years Covered: 1990-2002
- Example VIN: 1YVGE22C0V5651913
- Manufacturer Name: Auto Alliance International, USA
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Wasington
- State or Province: DC
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Mazda 626 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 1997 Mazda 626:
| Known VDS for a 1997 Mazda 626 | |
|---|---|
| GE22C | GE22D |
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 1997 Mazda 626 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 1997 Mazda 626 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| V | 1997 |
11th Character in the 1997 Mazda 626 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1997 Mazda 626 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Flat Rock | Michigan | United States | Autoalliance International, Inc. | 1YVGE22C0V5651913 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Mazda 626
The final 6 characters in a 1997 Mazda 626’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Mazda 626’s VIN below:
How to find a 1997 Mazda 626’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1997 Mazda 626 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mazda 626. The VIN is often viewable through the windshield on a small plate.
- Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Mazda 626. You might find the VIN on a label or sticker where the door closes.
- Look under the hood of your Mazda 626. The VIN may be stamped on the engine block or on a metal plate attached to the engine compartment.
- Examine the trunk area of your Mazda 626. Sometimes the VIN can be found on the floor of the trunk under the spare tire or on the trunk lid.
- Review your Mazda 626’s vehicle registration, insurance card, or title/ownership documents, which will have the VIN listed.
What info can a 1997 Mazda 626 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Type and Specifications: The Mazda 626 features a V-shaped engine with a displacement of 2.5L (2497 CC or 152.376289004 CI), designed by Mazda with the model name KLD. The engine has a power output ranging from 148 to 180 horsepower, and it contains 6 cylinders with a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design.
- Fuel Efficiency: This Mazda primarily uses gasoline, which can affect its operating costs and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: The presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row emphasizes the vehicle’s designed consideration for safety.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is classified as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, providing information on its body style and size which can influence its functionality and attractiveness to potential buyers.
- Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was manufactured in Flat Rock, Michigan, United States by AutoAlliance International, Inc., providing insight into its production location and assembly plant company.
- Vehicle Type and Weight Class: Classified as a Passenger Car with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) from Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), it indicates the vehicle’s intended use and load-carrying capabilities.
Don’t have your 1997 Mazda 626’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Mazda 626
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Cooling Type | Water |
| Displacement (CC) | 2497 |
| Displacement (CI) | 152.376289004 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.5 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 148 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 180 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Mazda |
| Engine Model | KLD |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Model | 626 |
| Model Year | 1997 |
| Plant City | Flat Rock |
| Plant Company Name | Autoalliance International, Inc. |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Series | Sedan |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1YVGE22D*V5 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1YVGE22D0V5644095 |
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