Free Buick VIN Decoder

How to decode a Buick VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Buick VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-character codes allocated to car manufacturers to identify the make and origin of their vehicles. For Buick, a brand under General Motors LLC based in Warren, Michigan, USA, several WMIs have been assigned over different periods, highlighting various models and types. Vehicles with the WMI code starting with 2G4 and 1G4, for example, are recognized as Buick passenger cars produced in years ranging from 1981 to 2017. The WMI 3G4 denotes Buick passenger cars manufactured in the early ’90s, specifically from 1990 to 1991 and 1993 to 1994. Such distinctions help in identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, type, and production location, offering valuable information for regulatory, service, and manufacturing purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a Buick

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Buick VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the most popular vehicle descriptor codes for a Buick:

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 Buick 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 Buick VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Buick VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Buick Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Buick

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

What info can a Buick VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN could possibly provide insights into the vehicle’s model year, such as 2018, potentially offering an understanding of the vehicle’s age and historical value.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: It may indicate the type of vehicle as a Passenger Car, possibly with a body class of Sedan/Saloon, revealing information about the vehicle’s design and purpose.
• Engine Specifications: Engine details, including a V-Shaped configuration, a displacement of 3.6 liters (or 3600.0 CC), and features like Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing, might offer insights into the vehicle’s potential performance capabilities.
• Safety Features: Information about safety features may be encoded, potentially indicating the presence of standard safety technologies such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Automatic Crash Notification, and Front Air Bag Locations in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, suggesting a focus on safety.
• Drive Type and Transmission: The VIN might reveal the drive type, such as AWD/All-Wheel Drive for improved handling and traction, along with potential transmission details like an automatic style with 6 speeds, hinting at both vehicle performance and driving experience.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency Features: By decoding a VIN, one might learn about the vehicle’s primary fuel type, possibly Gasoline for this model, along with features aimed at enhancing fuel efficiency such as the Engine Model LGX’s Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing.
• Advanced Technology and Comfort Features: The presence of advanced features like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) could potentially be decoded from the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s technological capabilities and comfort offerings.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Buick