How to decode a 1998 Toyota Corolla VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Toyota Corolla VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial series of letters and numbers in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that indicates the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of production, and other attributes. For the 1998 Toyota Corolla, the WMI reveals key information about the vehicle’s origin and make. Specifically, Corollas with a WMI starting with 2T1 were manufactured by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada, identifying them as passenger cars. Additionally, this marker indicates that these vehicles were produced between the model years of 1990-2019 and briefly in 2023. Understanding the WMI is crucial for identifying specifics about a vehicle’s manufacturing history and authenticity.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Toyota Corolla

WMI: 2T1

Model Years Covered: 1990-2019, 2023
Example VIN: 2T1BR12E0WC001550
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Cambridge
State or Province: Ontario
Country: Canada WMI: 1NX
Model Years Covered: 1988-2010
Example VIN: 1NXBR18E0WZ017236
Manufacturer Name: New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Fremont
State or Province: California
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Toyota Corolla 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 1998 Toyota Corolla:

Known VDS for a 1998 Toyota Corolla
BR12E	BR18E

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 1998 Toyota Corolla 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 1998 Toyota Corolla VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Toyota Corolla VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Toyota Corolla Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
C	Cambridge	Ontario	Canada	Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada, Inc.	2T1BR12E0WC001550
Z	Fremont	California	United States	New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.	1NXBR18E0WZ017236

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Toyota Corolla

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Toyota Corolla’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?

TRY BUMPER

How to find a 1998 Toyota Corolla’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Toyota Corolla is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Toyota Corolla where it meets the windshield. The VIN can usually be seen from outside the vehicle.
Look at the door pillar on the driver’s side when you open the door of your Corolla. The VIN might be located on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
Check under the hood; the VIN may also be stamped on the engine block or firewall in your 1998 Toyota Corolla.
Examine the trunk area, where spare tire storage or the trunk’s floor area may hold a VIN sticker in your Toyota Corolla.
If you have documentation, like the title, registration, or insurance card for your Toyota Corolla, the VIN will also be listed there.

What info can a 1998 Toyota Corolla VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, which may be the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 1998 Toyota, this may indicate a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and capacity.
Engine Type: The VIN may offer information about the engine, including the manufacturer (Toyota), model (1ZZ-FE), configuration (In-Line), and displacement (1.8L or 1794 CC), providing valuable insights into the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
Fuel Type and Efficiency: It can reveal that the primary fuel type for the vehicle is Gasoline, equipped with a Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) system for fuel delivery, potentially indicating its fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: The VIN information may detail the presence of safety features, such as front and side airbags, providing potential insights into the vehicle’s safety standards.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN can offer insights into the vehicle’s assembly location and manufacturing standards, potentially showcasing the geographical origin and production quality.
Drive Type and Transmission: The specified 4x2 drive type may provide indications about the vehicle’s drive system and handling capabilities. Additionally, the mention of a manual seat belt type can offer hints about its transmission nature or safety equipment era.

Don’t have your 1998 Toyota Corolla’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Toyota Corolla

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	1794
Displacement (CI)	109.84273937051
Displacement (L)	1.8
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Toyota
Engine Model	1ZZ-FE
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
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	Corolla
Model Year	1998
Plant City	Cambridge
Plant Company Name	Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada, Inc.
Plant Country	Canada
Plant State	Ontario
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	ZZE110L
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Trim	VE
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	2T1BR18E*WC
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	2T1BR18E0WC029940