How to decode a 2021 Buick Encore GX VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2021 Buick Encore GX VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designated to identify the vehicle manufacturer, country of origin, and vehicle type. For instance, the 2021 Buick Encore GX has a WMI of “KL4”, indicating that it is manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. The “KL4” prefix also classifies this vehicle as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), reflecting its versatile design catered to various passenger and cargo needs. This identifier serves as a unique fingerprint for the vehicle, encompassing significant details about its manufacturing and categorization. Understanding the WMI can provide essential insights into the vehicle’s background and specifications.

List of WMI Codes for a 2021 Buick Encore GX

WMI: KL4

Model Years Covered: 2020-2024
Example VIN: KL4MMGSL0MB036653
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2021 Buick Encore GX 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 2021 Buick Encore GX:

Known VDS for a 2021 Buick Encore GX
MMGSL	MMFS2	MMCSL	MMFSL	MMBS2	MMDS2	MMDSL	MMESL

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 2021 Buick Encore GX 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 2021 Buick Encore GX VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
M	2021

11th Character in the 2021 Buick Encore GX VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2021 Buick Encore GX Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
B	Bupyeong		South Korea		KL4MMGSL0MB036653

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2021 Buick Encore GX

The final 6 characters in a 2021 Buick Encore GX’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2021 Buick Encore GX’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2021 Buick Encore GX is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2021 Buick Encore GX. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield.
Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your Buick Encore GX. A label or sticker with the VIN should be present where the door latches.
Check the engine block of your 2021 Buick Encore GX, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
Inspect the frame of the vehicle underneath the hood. The VIN might be found on a plate or sticker near the front where the fender bolts to the frame of your Buick Encore GX.
Review your vehicle’s paperwork. The VIN for your 2021 Buick Encore GX will be on the title, registration, and insurance documents.

What info can a 2021 Buick Encore GX VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2021, 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 Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with a configuration of 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN, in this case, indicating a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Fuel Type and Engine Design: The VIN may specify the fuel type, for example, gasoline, and intricate engine designs, including a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train.
Safety Features: The VIN highlights standard safety technologies integrated into the vehicle, such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and advanced safety features including Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), emphasizing the focus on safety.
Transmission and Engine Type: Information about the type of transmission, which in this case is automatic, and engine details such as a 1.3 L engine with an In-Line configuration and turbocharging, can be gleamed from the VIN.
Airbag and Seat Details: The VIN reveals critical safety information, such as the presence of curtain airbags across all rows and details surrounding seating arrangements, including the number of seat rows and total seats, which amounts to 2 and 5 respectively.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): The VIN may detail optional and standard ADAS features like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB), showcasing the vehicle’s commitment to safety and modern driving assistance technologies.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2021 Buick Encore GX

Vehicle Spec	Value
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)	Optional
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN)	Standard
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Standard
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)	Standard
Curtain Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Displacement (CC)	1300.0
Displacement (CI)	79.33086732315
Displacement (L)	1.3
Drive Type	AWD/All-Wheel Drive
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Model	L3T - L3, SIDI, VVT, ALUM
Engine Number of Cylinders	3
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Standard
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Headlamp Light Source	LED
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)	Standard
Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA)	Standard
Model	Encore GX
Model Year	2021
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	5
Number of Wheels	4
Other Restraint System Info	AYF - Active Manual Belts
Parking Assist	Optional
Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB)	Standard
Plant City	Bupyeong
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	South Korea
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Standard
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Series	Essence
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Traction Control	Standard
Transmission Style	Automatic
Turbo	Yes
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	KL4MMGSL*MB
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Wheel Base (inches) From	102.20
Wheel Size Front (inches)	18
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	18
Sample_VIN	KL4MMGSL0MB036653