How to decode a 1981 Nissan Maxima VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Nissan Maxima VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This code consists of the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which designate the manufacturer, the country of assembly, and the type of vehicle. Specifically, for the 1981 Nissan Maxima, the WMI “JN1” indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd., located in Japan, more precisely in Tokyo’s Chuo-Ku district. This part of the VIN plays a crucial role in identifying the vehicle’s origin, offering a standardized method to track vehicles globally. It ensures that each car has a unique identifier, reflecting its manufacture, type, and region of production.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Nissan Maxima
WMI: JN1
- Model Years Covered: 1981, 1985-2003
- Example VIN: JN1HU01SXBT004519
- Manufacturer Name: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Chuo-Ku
- State or Province: Tokyo
- Country: Japan
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1981 Nissan Maxima 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 1981 Nissan Maxima:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Nissan Maxima |
|---|
| HU01S |
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 1981 Nissan Maxima 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 1981 Nissan Maxima VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Nissan Maxima VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Nissan Maxima Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T | Yokosuka | Kanagawa | Japan | Oppama Plant | JN1HU01SXBT004519 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Nissan Maxima
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Nissan Maxima’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1981 Nissan Maxima’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Nissan Maxima is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan Maxima. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb. The VIN may be located on a label or sticker where the door latches.
- Check the firewall of the vehicle, in the engine compartment. Some Nissan Maxima models have the VIN stamped on a plate here.
- Inspect the rear wheel well above the tire. In some cases, the VIN might be found in this location on a Nissan Maxima.
- Examine the trunk area of your Nissan Maxima. It might be under the trunk carpet or on the trunk lid on a decal.
- Review your Nissan Maxima’s vehicle registration, insurance card or title/ownership documents, where the VIN will definitely be listed.
What info can a 1981 Nissan Maxima VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, with the year 1981 being a possibility, offering insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications: Basic information about the vehicle, possibly a Nissan Maxima model, including engine details, may be encoded within the VIN, providing essential technical insights.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN may disclose the body class as Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, suggesting the vehicle’s design and passenger capacity.
- Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN might suggest the primary fuel type for the vehicle as Gasoline, offering a potential idea about the vehicle’s efficiency and environmental impact.
- Manufacturing Details: Information about the vehicle’s production location, such as the Nissan Maxima being manufactured in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan, at the Oppama Plant, is possibly found in the VIN.
- Drive Type: From the VIN, there is a chance to gather that the vehicle has a 4x2 drive type, which could impact its handling and suitability for different driving conditions.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN indicates that the vehicle falls within Class 1, with a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less, possibly providing insights into its carrying capacity and potential classification for regulation purposes.
Don’t have your 1981 Nissan Maxima’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Nissan Maxima
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| 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 | Maxima |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Other Restraint System Info | No Designation |
| Plant City | Yokosuka |
| Plant Company Name | Oppama plant |
| Plant Country | Japan |
| Plant State | Kanagawa |
| Vehicle Descriptor | JN1HU01S*BT |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | JN1HU01SXBT004519 |
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