Free 1988 Buick Century VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Buick Century VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Buick Century VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. In the case of the 1988 Buick Century, its WMI “1G4” signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This code is pivotal for distinguishing the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of manufacture, and even the type of vehicle. For this particular Buick model, it indicates that the vehicle is a passenger car, reflecting its design and intended use. WMIs are essential for regulatory compliance, vehicle registration, and in identifying specific features and specifications of vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Buick Century

WMI: 1G4

• Model Years Covered: 1984, 1986-1996
• Example VIN: 1G4AL51R7J6418376
• 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 1988 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 1988 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 1988 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 1988 Buick Century VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 Buick Century VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Buick Century Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Buick Century

The final 6 characters in a 1988 Buick Century’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Buick Century’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1988 Buick Century VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Size: The VIN suggests that the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon, indicating the body style and potentially offering hints about the vehicle’s size, passenger capacity, and general use.
• Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information is encoded, such as a 2.5L In-Line engine with four cylinders and manufactured by CPC. This can give a clear picture of the vehicle’s power and efficiency.
• Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle uses Gasoline with a Throttle Body Fuel Injection system, outlining the fuel type and delivery mechanism which may impact fuel economy and performance.
• Safety Features: Though the VIN notes the inclusion of manual seat belts, further safety features might be inferred through the model year and body class.
• Manufacturing Information: The Plant City, State, and Country—Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States—and the Plant Company Name provide details about where the vehicle was manufactured, possibly influencing parts availability and recall information.
• Vehicle Identification: By looking at the Sample_VIN provided, users gain a tool for verifying the vehicle’s authenticity, its manufacturing details, and specific model characteristics like the trim (Limited), which may indicate the level of luxury or equipment packages.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Buick Century