Free 1998 Chevrolet Geo Prizm VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Chevrolet Geo Prizm VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Chevrolet Geo Prizm VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that forms the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), defining the manufacturer, region, and vehicle type. For the 1998 Chevrolet Geo Prizm, the WMI “1Y1” signifies a United States-produced passenger car by New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc., located in Fremont, California. This code not only authenticates the vehicle’s origin but also provides insight into its manufacturing background, making it an essential element in vehicle tracking and registration. The WMI is universally recognized, allowing for easy identification and verification of vehicles on a global scale.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Chevrolet Geo Prizm

WMI: 1Y1

• Model Years Covered: 1998-2002
• Example VIN: 1Y1SK5481WZ438316
• 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 Chevrolet Geo Prizm 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 Chevrolet Geo Prizm:

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 Chevrolet Geo Prizm 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 Chevrolet Geo Prizm VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Chevrolet Geo Prizm VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Chevrolet Geo Prizm Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Chevrolet Geo Prizm

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

What info can a 1998 Chevrolet Geo Prizm VIN reveal?

• Model and Manufacturer: The VIN can reveal that the vehicle is a Geo Prizm model, reportedly manufactured by Toyota. This information may offer valuable insights into the vehicle’s background and design approach.
• Model Year: The VIN possibly indicates the vehicle’s production year, which in this case could be 1998. Understanding the model year is important for registration, insurance, and compatibility of parts.
• Engine Details: Potential specifics about the engine may include it being a 1.8L, 4-cylinder engine with an in-line configuration and manufactured by Toyota. This data could be vital for maintenance, repair, and performance evaluation.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is possibly designated as gasoline. This information could be essential for understanding the vehicle’s operating costs and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: The VIN may reveal the presence of safety features, possibly including driver and passenger inflatable restraint systems and side airbags for the first row. This could potentially provide insights into the vehicle’s safety provisions and compliance with safety standards.
• Body Specifications and Features: Critical specifications like the vehicle potentially being a sedan/saloon with four doors and a water cooling system are possibly detailed. Additionally, attributes such as the number of windows and the type of seat belt (manual) may offer a comprehensive view of the vehicle’s design and functionality.
• Plant Details: It can potentially be traced back to being manufactured in Fremont, California, by New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., United States. This historical manufacturing information can be useful for verifying the authenticity of the vehicle and understanding its origin.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Chevrolet Geo Prizm

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