How to decode a Honda S2000 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Honda S2000 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code made up of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designating the vehicle manufacturer, its country of origin, and the type of vehicle it is. For instance, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., a renowned automotive manufacturer based in Tokyo, Japan, uses the WMI JHM for some of its models, including the popular Honda S2000 sports car. This WMI indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in Japan (J), specifically by Honda (H), and is a passenger car (M). The Honda S2000, which was produced between 2000 and 2009, is a quintessential example, showcasing Honda’s engineering precision and design philosophy. Understanding the WMI is essential for identifying the origin and category of vehicles accurately.

List of WMI Codes for a Honda S2000

WMI: JHM

Model Years Covered: 2000-2009
Example VIN: JHMAP1140YT000287
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 Honda S2000 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 Honda S2000:

Known VDS for a Honda S2000
AP114	AP214	AP212

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 Honda S2000 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 Honda S2000 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
9	2009 Honda S2000
8	2008 Honda S2000
7	2007 Honda S2000
6	2006 Honda S2000
5	2005 Honda S2000
4	2004 Honda S2000
3	2003 Honda S2000
2	2002 Honda S2000
1	2001 Honda S2000
Y	2000 Honda S2000

11th Character in the Honda S2000 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Honda S2000 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
S	Suzuka	Mie	Japan		JHMAP21404S000831
T	Takanezawa	Tochigi	Japan		JHMAP1140YT000287

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Honda S2000

The final 6 characters in a Honda S2000’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a Honda S2000’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your Honda S2000 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Honda S2000. You can usually see the VIN through the windshield, positioned on a small metal or plastic plate.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Honda S2000 where the door hinges when opened. The VIN can often be found on a sticker or a plate in this area.
Examine the engine block of your Honda S2000. The VIN is often stamped directly onto the engine itself.
Check your Honda S2000’s vehicle insurance or title documents. The VIN is always listed on official documents related to the car’s registration and insurance.
For additional verification, look at the rear wheel well; directly above the tire there can occasionally be a sticker or plate with the VIN for your Honda S2000.

What info can a Honda S2000 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2009, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 2009 Honda S2000, this may indicate a Convertible/Cabriolet with rear-wheel-drive configuration and manual transmission, emphasizing its sporty nature and design.
Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN. In the case of the 2009 Honda S2000, it may be a 4x2, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Engine Type: The VIN unveils a 2.163 liter, 4-cylinder, gasoline-powered engine with 237 horsepower, indicative of the vehicle’s potential performance capabilities.
Manufacturing Information: It provides the manufacturing plant city as Suzuka, Japan, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin and the manufacturing standards it adheres to.
Safety Features: The VIN specifies the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row, highlighting the vehicle’s safety provisions.
Fuel Type: It indicates the primary fuel type as gasoline, which is important for potential owners to know for maintenance and environmental considerations.
Vehicle Weight: The mention of a curb weight of 2864 pounds and a gross vehicle weight rating from Class 1B underlines the structural and weight-related aspects that can impact performance and efficiency.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Honda S2000

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Curb Weight (pounds)	2864
Displacement (CC)	2163.092448
Displacement (CI)	132
Displacement (L)	2.163092448
Doors	2
Drive Type	RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive
Engine Brake (hp) From	237
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Model	F22C1
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg)
Model	S2000
Model Year	2009
Plant City	Suzuka
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Mie
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Transmission Speeds	6
Transmission Style	Manual/Standard
Trim	BASE
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JHMAP214*9S
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JHMAP21409S000139