Free 1986 Buick Century VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1986 Buick Century VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1986 Buick Century VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-character code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to distinguish their marque and country of origin. For the 1986 Buick Century, the WMI is “1G4,” indicating that General Motors LLC in the United States is the manufacturer. Specifically, this code suggests the vehicle was assembled in Warren, Michigan, and it categorizes the car as a passenger vehicle. The presence of “1G4” at the beginning of the vehicle identification number (VIN) ensures the identification of the car as part of the General Motors family, evidencing its American manufacturing origins. This system is essential for vehicle tracking, registration, and recalls.

List of WMI Codes for a 1986 Buick Century

WMI: 1G4

• Model Years Covered: 1984, 1986-1996
• Example VIN: 1G4AH2731GD479956
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1986 Buick Century 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 1986 Buick Century:

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 1986 Buick Century 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 1986 Buick Century VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1986 Buick Century VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1986 Buick Century Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 Buick Century

The final 6 characters in a 1986 Buick Century’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1986 Buick Century VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1986, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, in this case, indicating a Coupe with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Type: The VIN details include engine specifications such as a V-Shaped configuration, 3.8L (3800.0 cc) displacement, and it being a 6-cylinder engine made by Buick, outlining the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
• Fuel System and Type: Information on the vehicle’s fuel system being a Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), and its primary fuel type as Gasoline, provides insights into the efficiency and environmental considerations of the engine.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN reveals that the vehicle was manufactured in Doraville, Georgia, United States, offering clues about its origin and potentially the quality control standards at the time of production.
• Safety Features: The type of seat belt, specified as Manual in the VIN, can provide a glimpse into the safety features and regulations adhered to during the vehicle’s production year.
• Trim Level: Details such as the trim level being Custom could hint at the vehicle’s luxury features, customization, and comfort options available for the 1986 Buick Century.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 Buick Century