How to decode a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an international code designated to uniquely identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. The WMI is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides specific information about the vehicle, including its place of manufacture, vehicle type, and the brand. For the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, the WMI is “1G1,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This identifier signifies that the vehicle is a passenger car, showcasing the global system’s capacity to offer detailed insights into a vehicle’s origins and specifications. Understanding a car’s WMI offers valuable information for identifying, registering, and maintaining the vehicle.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu

WMI: 1G1

Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 1997-2024
Example VIN: 1G1NE52M0WY171791
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 1998 Chevrolet Malibu 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 1998 Chevrolet Malibu:

Known VDS for a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu
NE52M	ND52M	ND52T

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 1998 Chevrolet Malibu 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 1998 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
6	Oklahoma City	Oklahoma	United States	Na-Gm Corp	1G1ND52M0W6233950
Y	Wilmington	Delaware	United States	Wilmington Assembly	1G1NE52M0WY171791

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Chevrolet Malibu is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look on the dashboard of your 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, typically on the driver’s side where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN can often be seen from outside the vehicle.
Open the door on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Malibu and inspect the doorjamb. The VIN is usually located on a label or sticker close to where the door latches.
Check under the hood of your Malibu for a VIN plate, which might be attached to the engine block or on a part of the chassis.
Examine the trunk area of your Chevrolet Malibu. Often, the VIN can be found on the floor area where the spare tire is stored, or on the side walls.
Look at the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance card, or title for the VIN of your 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, as it will be listed on all official documentation concerning the vehicle.

What info can a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class of the vehicle, for example, indicating a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors and 4 windows, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Type: Key engine details such as a V-shaped engine configuration, 3.1 liters displacement, and an engine with 6 cylinders manufactured by FLT are encoded within the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’‘’s power and performance capabilities.
Fuel System: The type of fuel delivery system, such as Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), is specified, hinting at the vehicle’s potential fuel efficiency and engine performance.
Safety Features: The VIN can reveal safety features, including the locations of airbags, with this example having front airbags in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, potentially indicating a level of safety for the vehicle’s occupants.
Manufacturing Information: It provides insight into the vehicle’s production location, including the city (Wilmington), the plant company name (Wilmington Assembly), and the country (United States), offering details about the vehicle’s origin and manufacturing history.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN describes the vehicle’s weight class, specifying it falls within Class 1: 6,000 lb or less, which provides insights into the vehicle’s size and potential usage limitations.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	3100.0
Displacement (CI)	189.17360669367
Displacement (L)	3.1
Doors	4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	FLT
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
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)
Model	Malibu
Model Year	1998
Other Engine Info	Name Plate: Chev, Pont, Olds, Buick
Plant City	Wilmington
Plant Company Name	Wilmington assembly
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Delaware
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	LS
Vehicle Descriptor	1G1NE52M*WY
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Windows	4
Sample_VIN	1G1NE52M0WY171791