How to decode a 2000 Cadillac Catera VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2000 Cadillac Catera VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the maker of a vehicle and key attributes about it. The WMI for the 2000 Cadillac Catera, “W06,” indicates that the vehicle was produced by Adam Opel AG, a detail that points to its manufacturing origin. Specifically, this model was crafted in Russelsheim, Germany, underlining the global nature of automotive production. The WMI is a vital component of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), offering insights into the vehicle type, in this case, a passenger car, and helping to track its history and specifications. The precise identification provided by the WMI underscores the importance of these codes in distinguishing vehicles’ unique identities and origins.

List of WMI Codes for a 2000 Cadillac Catera

WMI: W06

Model Years Covered: 1997-2001
Example VIN: W06VR54R0YR049323
Manufacturer Name: Adam Opel AG
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Russelsheim
State or Province:
Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2000 Cadillac Catera 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 2000 Cadillac Catera:

Known VDS for a 2000 Cadillac Catera
VR54R

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 2000 Cadillac Catera 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 2000 Cadillac Catera VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
Y	2000

11th Character in the 2000 Cadillac Catera VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2000 Cadillac Catera Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
R	Russelsheim	Hesse	Germany	Opel	W06VR54R0YR049323

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2000 Cadillac Catera

The final 6 characters in a 2000 Cadillac Catera’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2000 Cadillac Catera’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2000 Cadillac Catera is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Cadillac Catera 2000; the VIN is usually located there and can be easily seen through the windshield.
On the Cadillac Catera 2000, inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side, where the VIN might be found on a label or sticker near where the door latches when closed.
Examine the engine block on your 2000 Cadillac Catera, as the VIN is often stamped onto the engine itself.
Take a look at the vehicle registration documents or the title for your Cadillac Catera 2000, as the VIN will be printed there.
Check your Cadillac Catera’s insurance card or policy, as the VIN is typically listed with your vehicle’s information.
Inspect the rear wheel well above the tire; sometimes on certain vehicles, the VIN can be found in this unconventional spot, though this is less common.

What info can a 2000 Cadillac Catera VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating the year 2000, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: Details like the make being OPEL, the model as Catera, and engine specs such as a 3.0 L engine with a V-Shaped configuration and six cylinders, may be available through VIN decoding, highlighting the depth of information that can be obtained.
Manufacturing Details: Information regarding the manufacturing, including the plant city as Russelsheim, plant country as Germany, and the plant company name as Opel, can be deciphered from a VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin.
Safety Features: Safety equipment specifics, such as the presence of front air bags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row and side air bags, also for both driver and passenger in the 1st row, may be confirmed through VIN details.
Body Class and Size: The body class, such as Sedan/Saloon, along with the number of doors (four in this example) and windows, can provide a clear indication of the vehicle’s design and size parameters.
Engine and Performance Details: Critical engine information, like the engine number of cylinders (6), fuel delivery type being Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), and valve train design as Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), could underscore the performance characteristics that can be gleaned from the VIN.
Other Vehicle Features: Additional features, like the type of seat belt (Manual) and special engine information (HO, Name Plate: Saturn), further demonstrate the diversity of data available through VIN decoding.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2000 Cadillac Catera

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	3000.0
Displacement (CI)	183.07123228419
Displacement (L)	3.0
Doors	4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	OPEL
Engine Model	L81
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Model	Catera
Model Year	2000
Other Engine Info	HO, Name Plate: Saturn
Plant City	Russelsheim
Plant Company Name	Opel
Plant Country	Germany
Plant State	Hesse
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	W06VR54R*YR
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Windows	4
Sample_VIN	W06VR54R0YR049323