How to decode a Geo Metro VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Geo Metro VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) refers to the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and these characters are crucial for identifying the manufacturer of any motor vehicle. For the Geo Metro, a compact car beloved for its fuel efficiency and practicality, the WMI can reveal the brand, which falls under the larger umbrella of General Motors during the time Geo was operational. Each Geo Metro’s VIN will start with a distinctive sequence denoting Geo as the make, and it informs us that the vehicle is part of the series produced by the partnership of General Motors with other manufacturers, such as Suzuki in the case of the Metro. By examining the WMI of a Geo Metro, one can trace the car’s origin, affirming its authenticity and brand lineage, which is especially important for buyers and enthusiasts of this economical model.
List of WMI Codes for a Geo Metro
WMI: 2C1
- Model Years Covered: 1990-1997
- Example VIN: 2C1MR2467L6011569
- 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 Geo Metro 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 Geo Metro:
| Known VDS for a Geo Metro | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MR246 | MS246 | MR646 | MR229 | MR226 | MR529 |
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 Geo Metro 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 Geo Metro VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| V | 1997 Geo Metro |
| T | 1996 Geo Metro |
| S | 1995 Geo Metro |
| R | 1994 Geo Metro |
| P | 1993 Geo Metro |
| N | 1992 Geo Metro |
| M | 1991 Geo Metro |
| L | 1990 Geo Metro |
11th Character in the Geo Metro VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Geo Metro Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Ingersoll | Ontario | Canada | Na-Canada (Gm/Suzuki J.V.) | 2C1MR2467L6011569 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Geo Metro
The final 6 characters in a Geo Metro’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a Geo Metro’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Geo Metro is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Geo Metro, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN is usually found here and can be seen by looking through the windshield from the outside.
- Inspect the driver’s side door frame on your Geo Metro. The VIN may be located on a sticker or plate where the door latches when it is closed.
- Examine the engine block area of your Geo Metro, as the VIN is sometimes etched onto the engine itself.
- Review your Geo Metro’s vehicle registration documents or insurance papers, which should list the VIN along with other important vehicle details.
- Check under the hood of your Geo Metro for a VIN plate that might be attached to the firewall, the front-most part of the vehicle’s structure.
- Look in the trunk area or under the spare tire, as some Geo Metros may have the VIN located in these areas.
- Consult the owner’s manual or service records for your Geo Metro; the VIN is often recorded in these documents for reference.
What info can a Geo Metro VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the model year of the Geo Metro, providing information about when the vehicle was manufactured.
- Manufacturer Name: The VIN contains the manufacturer name, in this case, GENERAL MOTORS LLC, indicating the company responsible for producing the Geo Metro.
- Plant City: The VIN indicates the plant city where the Geo Metro was assembled, providing insight into the vehicle’s manufacturing location.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN can reveal the type of vehicle, confirming that the Geo Metro is a passenger car.
- Body Class: The VIN specifies the body class of the Geo Metro, indicating whether it is a hatchback, liftback, or notchback, giving insight into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Doors: The VIN provides the number of doors on the Geo Metro, helping to identify the vehicle’s design and layout.
- Engine Configuration: The VIN can contain information about the engine configuration, such as whether it is an inline engine, V6, or other configuration, offering details about the vehicle’s power and performance.
Don’t have your Geo Metro’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Geo Metro
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 1300.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 79.33086732315 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.3 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Manufacturer | DET |
| Engine Model | L72 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Model | Metro |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| Other Engine Info | Name Plate: Chev, GM Can. 9 coded twice in 8th position. L37: 4.6L, V8, MFI, WRN1, Name Plate: Cadillac |
| Plant City | Ingersoll |
| Plant Company Name | NA-canada (gm/suzuki J.V.) |
| Plant Country | Canada |
| Plant State | Ontario |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | LSi |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 2C1MR529*T6 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Windows | 4 |
| Sample_VIN | 2C1MR5298T6706710 |
Decode a Geo VIN
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