- What you'll get from Chevrolet Corvette VIN check?
- Chevrolet Corvette Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet Corvette VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet Corvette
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Chevrolet Corvette VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Chevrolet Corvette VIN.
- 10th Character in the Chevrolet Corvette VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Chevrolet Corvette VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Chevrolet Corvette Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet Corvette
- How to find a Chevrolet Corvette's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet Corvette
What you’ll get from Chevrolet Corvette VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2018, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Drive Type: It denotes the car as a Convertible/Cabriolet with a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) configuration, providing insights into the vehicle’s design and driving dynamics.
- Engine Specifications: Detailed information can be found, such as it being equipped with a 6.2L engine by GMNA, featuring Direct Injection and an output specified as high due to its designations like LT1 and AFM. This reflects the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: A comprehensive array of safety features are standard, including Front and Side Airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). This can give an indication of the vehicle’s commitment to occupant safety.
- Fuel Type: It specifies the primary fuel type as Gasoline, which can be a crucial factor for potential buyers regarding fuel economy and environmental considerations.
- Plant Details: Manufacturing information such as the plant located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, United States under GMNA, connecting the vehicle to its production origin.
- Transmission and Speed: The vehicle sports a Manual Transmission and boasts a top speed of 180 MPH, highlighting its performance-oriented nature.
Chevrolet Corvette Vehicle History Risk Factors
Chevrolet’s reliability is model-dependent — the Silverado and Suburban are among the most durable vehicles in their segments, while some car-based models have more checkered histories. A Bumper check on a used Chevrolet is particularly valuable for the following:
AFM/DoD lifter failures on 5.3L V8 engines (2007–2021 Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban). GM’s Active Fuel Management system, which deactivates cylinders at highway speeds, caused widespread lifter and camshaft failures in this engine generation. The repair cost ($2,000–$5,000) makes this one of the most expensive used-vehicle surprises in any segment. Service records showing lifter replacement or an AFM delete kit are significant items to verify before purchase.
Ignition switch recall (2005–2014 multiple models). GM’s ignition switch recall — one of the most significant safety-related recalls in automotive history — affected Malibus, Cobalts, and several other models. Affected switches could move out of the “run” position while driving, cutting power to safety systems including airbags. Verify recall compliance on any Chevrolet from this era.
Transmission shudder on 8-speed automatic (2015–2019 Silverado, Colorado). GM’s 8L90 and 8L45 eight-speed automatics generated extensive owner complaints and TSBs related to torque converter shudder, especially at low speeds. This is well-documented and frequently appears in service records.
Rust on older Silverado and Colorado frames. Like other full-size trucks, older Chevrolet pickups from rust-belt states can have significant frame deterioration. A registration and ownership history in the Bumper report is your first indicator — a truck that’s spent decades in Minnesota or Michigan is a different proposition than one from Arizona.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Chevrolet Corvette VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet Corvette VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. It forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), specifying not only the manufacturer but also, in some cases, the vehicle type and manufacturing location. The Chevrolet Corvette, for example, bears the WMI 1G1, indicating it is manufactured by General Motors LLC in Warren, Michigan, United States. This WMI applies to passenger cars and covers a wide range of model years from 1981 up to 2024, excluding 1983. The presence of this code ensures the Corvette’s heritage and origin are consistently recognized worldwide.
List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet Corvette
WMI: 1G1
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1982, 1984-2024
- Example VIN: 1G1AY8760BS402526
- 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 Chevrolet Corvette VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Chevrolet’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes body style, restraint system, engine type, and series level across its Silverado, Equinox, Malibu, and Tahoe lineups. On Silverados, the VDS is particularly useful for confirming cab style (regular, double, or crew cab), bed length, and engine variant — important because a 5.3L V8 Silverado and a 4.3L V6 from the same model year can look identical from the exterior. For the Equinox and Traverse, the VDS distinguishes between engine variants that differ significantly in fuel economy, towing capacity, and long-term reliability profiles. When comparing two Chevrolets with similar prices, always cross-reference VDS characters to confirm you’re comparing equivalent specifications.
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 Chevrolet Corvette 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 Chevrolet Corvette VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 Chevrolet Corvette |
| P | 2023 Chevrolet Corvette |
| N | 2022 Chevrolet Corvette |
| M | 2021 Chevrolet Corvette |
| L | 2020 Chevrolet Corvette |
| K | 2019 Chevrolet Corvette |
| J | 2018 Chevrolet Corvette |
| H | 2017 Chevrolet Corvette |
| G | 2016 Chevrolet Corvette |
| F | 2015 Chevrolet Corvette |
| E | 2014 Chevrolet Corvette |
| D | 2013 Chevrolet Corvette |
| C | 2012 Chevrolet Corvette |
| B | 2011 Chevrolet Corvette |
| A | 2010 Chevrolet Corvette |
| 9 | 2009 Chevrolet Corvette |
| 8 | 2008 Chevrolet Corvette |
| 7 | 2007 Chevrolet Corvette |
| 6 | 2006 Chevrolet Corvette |
| 5 | 2005 Chevrolet Corvette |
| 4 | 2004 Chevrolet Corvette |
| 3 | 2003 Chevrolet Corvette |
| 2 | 2002 Chevrolet Corvette |
| 1 | 2001 Chevrolet Corvette |
| Y | 2000 Chevrolet Corvette |
| X | 1999 Chevrolet Corvette |
| W | 1998 Chevrolet Corvette |
| V | 1997 Chevrolet Corvette |
| T | 1996 Chevrolet Corvette |
| S | 1995 Chevrolet Corvette |
| R | 1994 Chevrolet Corvette |
| P | 1993 Chevrolet Corvette |
| N | 1992 Chevrolet Corvette |
| M | 1991 Chevrolet Corvette |
| L | 1990 Chevrolet Corvette |
| K | 1989 Chevrolet Corvette |
| J | 1988 Chevrolet Corvette |
| H | 1987 Chevrolet Corvette |
| G | 1986 Chevrolet Corvette |
| F | 1985 Chevrolet Corvette |
| E | 1984 Chevrolet Corvette |
| C | 1982 Chevrolet Corvette |
| B | 1981 Chevrolet Corvette |
11th Character in the Chevrolet Corvette VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Chevrolet Corvette Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Bowling Green | Kentucky | United States | 1G1AY8760B5100037 | |
| S | St. Louis | Missouri | United States | 1G1AY8760BS402526 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet Corvette
The final 6 characters in a Chevrolet Corvette’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Chevrolet Corvette’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Chevrolet Corvette is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Corvette. The VIN can often be seen through the windshield on a small plate.
- Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Corvette. The VIN might be located on a label or sticker where the door closes.
- Look under the hood of your Chevrolet Corvette. The VIN may also be found on the engine block or on a metal plate attached to the chassis.
- Examine the rear wheel well of your Chevrolet Corvette. Sometimes, the VIN is stamped above the tire.
- Review your Chevrolet Corvette’s insurance card or policy. The VIN is typically listed along with other vehicle details.
- Consult the Chevrolet Corvette’s vehicle registration documents. The VIN will be recorded there for identification purposes.
Don’t have your Chevrolet Corvette’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet Corvette
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Safety System Note | Curb View Camera: Standard |
| 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 |
| Base Price ($) | 88440 |
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 6200.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 378.34721338734 |
| Displacement (L) | 6.2 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Drive Type | RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Manufacturer | GMNA |
| Engine Model | LT4 - Direct Injection, SC, AFM, Variable Valve Timing, ALUM |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Event Data Recorder (EDR) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Model | Corvette |
| Model Year | 2018 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 1 |
| Number of Seats | 2 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Restraint: AJ7 |
| Plant City | Bowling Green |
| Plant Company Name | GMNA |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Kentucky |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | Z06 |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Top Speed (MPH) | 195 |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | Premium 3LZ |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G1YU2D6*J5 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 106.7 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 19 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 20 |
| Sample VIN | 1G1YU2D60J5300250 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Chevrolet Corvette for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Chevrolet Corvette?
On most Chevrolet vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Chevrolet Corvette's history for free?
Enter the Chevrolet Corvette’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Chevrolet Corvette VIN numbers start with?
Chevrolet Corvette VIN's start with 1G1 for vehicles manufactured by General Motors LLC in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Chevrolet Corvette.
Decode a Chevrolet VIN
Look up a Chevrolet Corvette by license plate:
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