Free Buick Electra VIN Decoder

How to decode a Buick Electra VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Buick Electra VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier, or WMI, is the initial sequence of three alphanumeric characters found in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For Buick Electra models, this portion of the VIN starts with 1G4, signifying that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC, which is the parent company of Buick. This identifier not only confirms that the vehicle is a part of the Buick family, but also pinpoints the brand under GM that produced the car. The WMI is crucial for obtaining vehicle information, including country of assembly, as it sets the stage for the rest of the VIN which contains more specific details about the car such as the model year, the plant where it was manufactured, and the vehicle’s unique serial number.

List of WMI Codes for a Buick Electra

WMI: 1G4

• Model Years Covered: 1982-1984, 1986-1990
• Example VIN: 1G4AW69Y8CH469370
• 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 Buick Electra 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 Buick Electra:

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 Electra 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 Electra VIN — Year Code

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

Known Buick Electra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Buick Electra

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

What info can a Buick Electra VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the Buick Electra.
• Manufacturer Name: The VIN identifies the manufacturer of the Buick Electra as General Motors LLC, confirming its origin.
• Plant City: The VIN indicates the city where the Buick Electra was assembled, offering insight into its production location.
• Vehicle Type: The VIN specifies that the Buick Electra is classified as a passenger car, revealing its intended use.
• Fuel Type: The VIN indicates the primary fuel type for the Buick Electra, providing information on its fuel efficiency and compatibility.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Buick Electra