How to decode a Ford Aspire VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Ford Aspire VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter codes assigned to every manufacturer of vehicles globally. They form the first part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in identifying the specific make, model, and location of manufacture of a vehicle. For instance, in the case of the Ford Aspire, which was produced by Kia Motors for Ford, the WMI is KNJ. This vehicle was manufactured in the years 1994-1995 and 1997, specifically in the city of Seoul, Gyeonggi province, South Korea. The WMI is critical in ensuring the traceability and identification of vehicles for registration, insurance, and safety purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a Ford Aspire
WMI: KNJ
- Model Years Covered: 1994-1995, 1997
- Example VIN: KNJLT05H6R6143917
- Manufacturer Name: Kia Motors (Ford Imports)
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Seoul
- State or Province: Gyeonggi
- Country: South Korea
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Ford Aspire 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 Ford Aspire:
| Known VDS for a Ford Aspire | |
|---|---|
| LT05H | LT06H |
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 Ford Aspire 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 Ford Aspire VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| V | 1997 Ford Aspire |
| S | 1995 Ford Aspire |
| R | 1994 Ford Aspire |
11th Character in the Ford Aspire VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Ford Aspire Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Kyung Ki-Do | South Korea | Mazda-Kia | KNJLT05H6R6143917 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Ford Aspire
The final 6 characters in a Ford Aspire’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a Ford Aspire’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Ford Aspire is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look for your Ford Aspire’s VIN on the dashboard on the driver’s side, which is often visible through the windshield.
- Check the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Ford Aspire for a label or sticker where the door closes, as the VIN might be located there.
- Open the hood of your Ford Aspire and inspect the front of the engine block. VINs are sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
- Examine the rear wheel well of your Ford Aspire. Try looking directly above the tire; there can be a VIN sticker placed in this area.
- Look at the trunk of your Ford Aspire beneath the spare tire. The VIN might be found on a sticker in this compartment.
What info can a Ford Aspire VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the Mazda Aspire’s model year as 1994, providing insights into the vehicle’s age and potential historical value.
- Engine Specifications: The Mazda Aspire features an in-line engine configuration with a displacement of 1.3 liters (81 cubic inches), powered by gasoline. It produces a base horsepower of 63, indicating its performance capability.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN details the Mazda Aspire as a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 4 doors, providing insights into its design, functionality, and roominess.
- Safety Features: According to the VIN, the Mazda Aspire is equipped with front airbags for both driver and passenger in the first row, and manual 3-point seat belts in all outboard positions, demonstrating its commitment to occupant safety.
- Fuel Type: The VIN indicates that the Mazda Aspire runs on gasoline, offering users information on fuel demands and possibly its efficiency and environmental impact.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN indicates that this Mazda Aspire was manufactured in Kyung Ki-Do, South Korea, by the plant company Mazda-kia, giving insight into its production origin and potentially quality standards.
- Vehicle Type and Series: The VIN denotes the Mazda Aspire as a passenger car within the ‘Base’ series under the trim ‘L Plus’, providing categorization that helps in understanding the general features, level of luxury, or performance orientation of the vehicle.
Don’t have your Ford Aspire’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Ford Aspire
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Displacement (CC) | 1327.352184 |
| Displacement (CI) | 81 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.3 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 63 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | Mazda |
| 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 | Aspire |
| Model Year | 1994 |
| Other Engine Info | EFI: Electronic Fuel Injection |
| Other Restraint System Info | Seat Belts: 3-point belts in all outboard positions. |
| Plant City | Kyung Ki-Do |
| Plant Company Name | Mazda-kia |
| Plant Country | South Korea |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Base |
| Trim | L Plus |
| Vehicle Descriptor | KNJLT05H*R6 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | KNJLT05H6R6143917 |
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