Free 2016 Chevrolet Malibu VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designated to identify the vehicle manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. In the case of the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, the WMI of “1G1” points to General Motors LLC as the manufacturer. This WMI also indicates that the vehicle is a passenger car produced in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. The WMI code is a critical component of a VIN, helping to ensure the vehicle’s traceability and authenticity worldwide. It covers a range of model years, from 1981 to 1983 and then from 1997 to 2024, showing a long lineage of production and design evolution.

List of WMI Codes for a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

WMI: 1G1

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 1997-2024
• Example VIN: 1G1ZB5ST0GF169991
• 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 2016 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 2016 Chevrolet Malibu:

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 2016 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 2016 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

The final 6 characters in a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Chevrolet Malibu’s VIN below:

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What info can a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2016, indicating the age and market value of the vehicle.
• Engine Type: The VIN indicates an In-Line engine with a 2.5L displacement and features like Stoichiometric Gasoline Direct Injection (SGDI) and compatibility with both Gasoline and Ethanol (E85), suggesting the vehicle’s performance capabilities and fuel flexibility.
• Safety Features: The VIN data includes comprehensive safety equipment details, including airbag locations in all rows, knee airbags for the 1st row (driver and passenger), and side airbags for the 1st and 2nd rows, emphasizing the vehicle’s focus on occupant safety.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN specifies the body class as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, providing insights into the vehicle’s design and size, essential for understanding its style and capacity.
• Fuel Types: The vehicle supports primary fuel as Gasoline with a secondary option for Ethanol (E85), showcasing its adaptability to different fuel types, contributing to operational flexibility and efficiency.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN reveals the plant’s location in Detroit Hamtramck, Michigan, United States, under the company GMNA, providing insights into the vehicle’s production background, including geographical manufacturing nuances.
• Advanced Features: The presence of a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type being Direct and a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) Valve Train Design are examples of advanced features that can be decoded, implying the vehicle’s technological sophistication.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu

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