How to decode a 1996 Buick Riviera VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Buick Riviera VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system, uniquely assigned to every vehicle manufacturer. For a 1996 Buick Riviera, the WMI is “1G4”, indicating that it was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This alphanumeric code not only identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer but also provides insights into the vehicle type, in this case, a passenger car. The WMI is crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and recall purposes. By analyzing the VIN including the WMI, one can obtain specific details about the vehicle’s origin, type, and manufacturing details.
List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Buick Riviera
WMI: 1G4
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1985, 1987, 1989-1993, 1995-1999
- Example VIN: 1G4GD2210T4711842
- 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 1996 Buick Riviera 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 1996 Buick Riviera:
| Known VDS for a 1996 Buick Riviera | |
|---|---|
| GD221 | GD22K |
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 1996 Buick Riviera 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 1996 Buick Riviera VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| T | 1996 |
11th Character in the 1996 Buick Riviera VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1996 Buick Riviera Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Orion | Michigan | United States | Na-Gm Corp | 1G4GD2210T4711842 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Buick Riviera
The final 6 characters in a 1996 Buick Riviera’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1996 Buick Riviera’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1996 Buick Riviera is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1996 Buick Riviera. You can usually see the VIN through the windshield.
- Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Buick Riviera. The VIN may be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
- Check under the hood of your Buick Riviera; the VIN might be located on the front engine block.
- Inspect the trunk area, specifically under the spare tire where the VIN might be stamped or affixed with a label.
- Review your vehicle’s title or registration documents, as they will have the VIN listed for your 1996 Buick Riviera.
What info can a 1996 Buick Riviera VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class: The VIN reveals the body class, which in this instance is a Coupe, providing a clue about the vehicle’s size, style, and general purpose.
- Engine Details: Specifics about the engine, including its manufacturer (FLT), model (L67), configuration (V-Shaped), displacement (3.8L), and number of cylinders (6), can be discerned, which are crucial for understanding performance capabilities and potential maintenance needs.
- Fuel System: The type of fuel delivery system, such as Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), can be derived, indicating the vehicle’s efficiency and performance characteristics.
- Safety Features: Information on safety features, particularly the locations of front airbags (1st Row for Driver and Passenger), can be obtained, which is vital for assessing the vehicle’s safety standards.
- Manufacturing Location: The plant city (Orion), state (Michigan), and country (United States) where the vehicle was manufactured can be identified, sometimes hinting at the build quality and availability of parts.
- Seat Belt Type: The VIN provides details on seat belt types, with this example utilizing manual seat belts, which might reflect on the vehicle’s age and basic safety features.
Don’t have your 1996 Buick Riviera’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Buick Riviera
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 3800.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 231.89022755998 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.8 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | FLT |
| Engine Model | L67 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Model | Riviera |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| Other Engine Info | Name Plate: Pont, Olds, Buick |
| Plant City | Orion |
| Plant Company Name | NA-GM Corp |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G4GD221*T4 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G4GD2210T4711842 |
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