Free 2018 Kia Sportage VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2018 Kia Sportage VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2018 Kia Sportage VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, signifying the brand, country of manufacture, and vehicle type. For the 2018 Kia Sportage, the specific WMI code reveals that it is manufactured by Kia Corporation, indicating the vehicle’s origins from Seoul, in the Seocho-Gu area of South Korea. This particular identifier is part of a larger Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that also includes details about the vehicle’s model, body style, and production year. The WMI serves as a global standard for categorizing vehicles, distinguishing the 2018 Kia Sportage as a multipurpose passenger vehicle (MPV) produced by Kia, a renowned automotive manufacturer. This system ensures that every vehicle can be uniquely identified and traced back to its manufacturer and specific characteristics.

List of WMI Codes for a 2018 Kia Sportage

WMI: KND

• Model Years Covered: 1995, 1997-2002, 2005-2024
• Example VIN: KNDPN3AC0J7301368
• Manufacturer Name: Kia Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Seoul
• State or Province: Seocho-Gu
• Country: South Korea

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2018 Kia Sportage 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 2018 Kia Sportage:

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 2018 Kia Sportage 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 2018 Kia Sportage VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2018 Kia Sportage VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2018 Kia Sportage Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2018 Kia Sportage

The final 6 characters in a 2018 Kia Sportage’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 2018 Kia Sportage VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2018, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class: It may indicate a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its design and intended use.
• Fuel Type - Primary: This vehicle runs on Gasoline, possibly presenting insights into the fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Engine Specifications: The vehicle’s engine supports a Turbo, potentially enhancing performance with an output of 240 hp, with a displacement of 2.0L and an In-Line configuration.
• Safety Features: The vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive range of safety features including Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Curtain Airbags in both the 1st and 2nd rows, demonstrating the vehicle’s focus on passenger safety.
• Drive Type and Transmission: Details indicate a 4x2 drive type paired with an automatic transmission with 6 speeds, possibly giving a sense of the vehicle’s handling and drivability.
• Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was manufactured in Gwang-Ju, South Korea, which might inform the buyer about potential quality and design influences based on the location’s automotive reputation.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2018 Kia Sportage

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