Free 1997 Honda Prelude VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Honda Prelude VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Honda Prelude VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an integral part of a vehicle’s identification number (VIN), which primarily indicates the manufacturer of the vehicle and provides vital information about its origin. The WMI is composed of the first three characters of the VIN, serving as a unique code that identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, where it was made, and its type. For instance, a 1997 Honda Prelude has a WMI that indicates it was manufactured by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., which is based in Tokyo, Musashi, Japan. This specific code classifies the vehicle as a passenger car and authenticates its origin, signaling a Honda product made in Japan. Understanding the WMI is crucial for accurately identifying vehicles, tracing their history, and ensuring compatibility with parts and services.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Honda Prelude

WMI: JHM

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1982, 1985-2001
• Example VIN: JHMBB6140VC012435
• Manufacturer Name: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Tokyo
• State or Province: Musashi
• Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Honda Prelude 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 1997 Honda Prelude:

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 1997 Honda Prelude 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 1997 Honda Prelude VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Honda Prelude VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Honda Prelude Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Honda Prelude

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Honda Prelude’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1997 Honda Prelude VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year of production, such as 1997, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: It may indicate the type of vehicle, for example, a Passenger Car, and specific body class like Coupe, providing insights into the vehicle’s design and functionality.
• Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information, including the engine model (H22A4), configuration (In-Line), displacement (2.163 L), and power output (195 hp), could be decoded from a VIN.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, such as Gasoline, can be identified, offering critical data for understanding the vehicle’s environmental and operational characteristics.
• Transmission Style: It can show the transmission type of the vehicle, whether it’s Manual/Standard, which affects driving dynamics and fuel efficiency.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN can reveal where the vehicle was made, showing the plant city (Sayama), country (Japan), and even the state, providing a trace of the vehicle’s origin.
• Safety and Design Features: Engine attributes like valve train design, in this case, Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), could be inferred, highlighting the vehicle’s technological and safety features.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Honda Prelude

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