How to decode a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to distinguish where a vehicle is made, by whom, and its type. For instance, the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser has WMIs such as 3C3 for passenger cars and 3C8 or 3C4 for multipurpose passenger vehicles, indicating they were manufactured by Chrysler de Mexico Toluca. These vehicles were produced in Santa Fe, located in Mexico City, Mexico, during specific model years, namely 2001 through 2005 for 3C8 and 3C4 WMIs and 2005-2008 for the 3C3 WMI. This coding system helps provide clarity and authenticity, ensuring that each vehicle can be accurately identified and traced back to its origins.

List of WMI Codes for a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser

WMI: 3C3

Model Years Covered: 2005-2008
Example VIN: 3C3EY55E05T266228
Manufacturer Name: Chrysler de Mexico Toluca
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Santa Fe
State or Province: Mexico City
Country: Mexico WMI: 3C8
Model Years Covered: 2001-2005
Example VIN: 3C8FY78G05T524951
Manufacturer Name: Chrysler de Mexico Toluca
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Santa Fe
State or Province: Mexico City
Country: Mexico WMI: 3C4
Model Years Covered: 2001-2005
Example VIN: 3C4FY48B05T501514
Manufacturer Name: Chrysler de Mexico Toluca
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Santa Fe
State or Province: Mexico City
Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser 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 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser:

Known VDS for a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser
EY55E	AY55E	FY78G	EY55X	FY688	FY68B	FY48B	AY75S	FY58B	EY45X
AY55X

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 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser 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 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
5	2005

11th Character in the 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
T	Toluca	State Of Mexico	Mexico	Toluca Assembly	3C3EY55E05T266228

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser

The final 6 characters in a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Chrysler PT Cruiser. This is typically visible through the windshield.
Look at the door frame on the driver’s side when you open the door of your PT Cruiser. The VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
Check under the hood of your Chrysler PT Cruiser; the VIN might be located on the front of the engine block.
Examine the rear wheel well of your PT Cruiser. Sometimes the VIN is stamped above the tire.
Examine the trunk area under the spare tire of your Chrysler PT Cruiser, as the VIN may sometimes be found there.
Review your PT Cruiser’s vehicle insurance card/insurance policy or title and registration for the VIN.

What info can a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 2005, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information, including a displacement of 2.4 liters or 2400 CC, indicates the engine’s size and potential power output, alongside specifics like being a turbocharged, 4-cylinder engine with a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design.
Body Class and Features: It specifies the vehicle as a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, highlighting the style and structural design, which can significantly influence a buyer’s decision or an enthusiast’s interest.
Safety Equipments: The VIN notes the presence of front and side airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row, underlining the vehicle’s emphasis on occupant safety through its restraint systems.
Fuel Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle runs on gasoline, a crucial detail for those concerned with fuel economy and environmental impact.
Manufacturing Details: Insights into the vehicle’s place of assembly, such as the plant located in Toluca, Mexico, under the Toluca Assembly company name, provide context on its manufacturing background and quality control standards.
Vehicle Identification and Classification: The VIN itself not only uniquely identifies this specific vehicle but also classifies it as a passenger car under gross vehicle weight rating Class 1, offering a starting point for registration, insurance, and legal purposes.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2005 Chrysler PT Cruiser

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Destination Market	U.S., Canada
Displacement (CC)	2400.0
Displacement (CI)	146.45698582735
Displacement (L)	2.4
Doors	2
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
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)
Model	PT Cruiser
Model Year	2005
Other Engine Info	Engine info: 16V High Output, Sales Code: EDV
Other Restraint System Info	Sales Code: GCS
Plant City	Toluca
Plant Company Name	Toluca assembly
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	State Of Mexico
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	X (Special)
Series2	PT - Family
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Trim	GT
Turbo	Yes
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	3C3AY75S*5T
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	3C3AY75S05T282123