Free 1999 Buick Riviera VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1999 Buick Riviera VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Buick Riviera VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to distinguish their brand, country of origin, and vehicle type. For the 1999 Buick Riviera, the WMI is 1G4, indicating that the vehicle was made by General Motors LLC in the United States. Specifically, this code shows it is a passenger car produced in Warren, Michigan. The 1G4 prefix is only part of the larger Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), but it plays a crucial role in revealing the manufacturer’s identity and vehicle details. This system of identification aids in global vehicle tracking and verification.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Buick Riviera

WMI: 1G4

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1985, 1987, 1989-1993, 1995-1999
• Example VIN: 1G4GD2210X4700782
• 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 1999 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 1999 Buick Riviera:

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 1999 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 1999 Buick Riviera VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1999 Buick Riviera VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Buick Riviera Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Buick Riviera

The final 6 characters in a 1999 Buick Riviera’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Buick Riviera’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1999 Buick Riviera 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: A VIN can specify the body class, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure. In this case, for the 1999 model, the VIN discloses it as a Coupe with 2 doors, potentially indicating its passenger capacity.
• Engine Specifications: Insights into the vehicle’s engine can be extracted from the VIN, revealing a V-shaped, 3.8 Liter engine with 6 cylinders and sequential fuel injection (SFI) for fuel delivery.
• Safety Features: Safety mechanisms such as the presence of front airbags for the 1st row (driver and passenger) and the type of seat belt (manual) are specified, indicating key safety features of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN reveals detailed manufacturing information, including the assembly location and manufacturer, providing insights into the geographical origin and production specifics.
• Fuel Delivery System: The specific type of fuel injection system used by the engine, in this case Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI), highlights the vehicle’s fuel management technology for efficient engine performance.
• Other Engine Info: Additional details about the engine, such as the nameplate indicating Chevrolet, Buick, provide deeper insights into the engine’s branding and potential performance characteristics.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Buick Riviera