- What you'll get from Chevrolet Spark VIN check?
- Chevrolet Spark Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet Spark VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet Spark
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Chevrolet Spark VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Chevrolet Spark VIN.
- 10th Character in the Chevrolet Spark VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Chevrolet Spark VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Chevrolet Spark Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet Spark
- How to find a Chevrolet Spark's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet Spark
What you’ll get from Chevrolet Spark VIN check?
- Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2018, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle, for example, the Chevrolet Spark.
- Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including its configuration as an In-Line engine, displacement stats (e.g., 1.4 L, 1400.0 CC, 85.43 CI), and the specific engine model (LV7 - MFI, Variable Valve Timing, ALUM, GEN 1 VAR 1), can be extracted from a VIN.
- Safety Features: From the VIN, one could learn about the comprehensive safety features of a vehicle, including standard installations such as Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and airbags located in all rows, showing the breadth of safety measures.
- Fuel and Efficiency: It can reveal the primary fuel type, like Gasoline, and specific details about the fuel delivery system, such as the Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) type, indicating how the vehicle utilizes fuel for efficient performance.
- Transmission and Drive Type: The report might show the vehicle has an automatic transmission with 5 speeds and a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) system, providing insights into the drivetrain and handling characteristics.
- Manufacturing Details: It may offer specifics on the vehicle’s manufacturing, like the production city (Changwon), the manufacturing country (South Korea), and the plant company name (GM Korea), illustrating the global production footprint.
- Body Style and Dimensions: Information such as the body class being Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, and other physical specifications like the number of doors (4), and wheelbase (93).
Chevrolet Spark 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 Spark VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet Spark VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provides specific information about the vehicle type and manufacturing location. For the Chevrolet Spark, the WMI is KL8, indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC, with production years spanning from 2013 to 2022. This particular identifier reveals that the car is a passenger type vehicle, produced in Warren, Michigan, United States. The presence of this WMI code ensures that each Chevrolet Spark can be accurately identified worldwide, facilitating recalls, registrations, and historical data tracking. The WMI is a crucial component of the vehicle identification number (VIN), further enabling the standardization and globalization of vehicle identification.
List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet Spark
WMI: KL8
- Model Years Covered: 2013-2022
- Example VIN: KL8CC6S90DC504578
- 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 Spark 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 Spark 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 Spark VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| N | 2022 Chevrolet Spark |
| M | 2021 Chevrolet Spark |
| L | 2020 Chevrolet Spark |
| K | 2019 Chevrolet Spark |
| J | 2018 Chevrolet Spark |
| H | 2017 Chevrolet Spark |
| G | 2016 Chevrolet Spark |
| F | 2015 Chevrolet Spark |
| E | 2014 Chevrolet Spark |
| D | 2013 Chevrolet Spark |
11th Character in the Chevrolet Spark VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Chevrolet Spark Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Changwon | South Korea | Gm Korea | KL8CC6S90DC504578 | |
| L | San Luis Potosi | Mexico | Gmna | KL8CD6SA1GL632629 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet Spark
The final 6 characters in a Chevrolet Spark’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 Spark’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Chevrolet Spark is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Spark. The VIN is often viewable through the windshield on a small plate.
- Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Chevrolet Spark. You might find the VIN on a label or sticker where the door closes.
- Look at the vehicle registration documents for your Chevrolet Spark. The VIN should be clearly listed among the vehicle details.
- Examine the insurance card or insurance policy documents for your Chevrolet Spark. The VIN is usually included in these documents.
- Inspect the engine block of your Chevrolet Spark. The VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
Don’t have your Chevrolet Spark’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet Spark
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Safety System Note | Rear Park Assist (with only the Rear Sonar sensor and rearview camera): Standard; Hill Start Assist |
| 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 ($) | 17220 |
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | All Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 1400.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 85.43324173262 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.4 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Model | LV7 - MFI, Variable Valve Timing, ALUM, GEN 1 VAR 1 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Optional |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| 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 |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Optional |
| Model | Spark |
| Model Year | 2018 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 4 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Plant City | Changwon |
| Plant Company Name | GM Korea |
| Plant Country | South Korea |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | ACTIV |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 5 |
| Transmission Style | Manual/Standard |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | KL8CG6SA*JC |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 93.9 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 15 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 15 |
| Windows | 4 |
| Sample VIN | KL8CG6SA0JC467932 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Chevrolet Spark 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 Spark?
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 Spark's history for free?
Enter the Chevrolet Spark’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 Spark VIN numbers start with?
Chevrolet Spark VIN's start with KL8 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 Spark.
Decode a Chevrolet VIN
Look up a Chevrolet Spark by license plate:
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