How to decode a Jaguar XK8 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Jaguar XK8 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). It forms the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), allowing for the identification of the manufacturer, vehicle type, and country of assembly. For instance, Jaguars manufactured between 1997 and 1999 by Jaguar Land Rover Limited in Whitley, Coventry, United Kingdom, can be identified with the WMI SAJ. These vehicles, specifically classified as passenger cars, bear this distinctive identifier at the beginning of their VINs, making it straightforward to recognize their origin and type. This systematic approach helps in maintaining a global standard for vehicle identification and tracking.

List of WMI Codes for a Jaguar XK8

WMI: SAJ

Model Years Covered: 1997-1999
Example VIN: SAJGN2747VC001948
Manufacturer Name: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Whitley
State or Province: Coventry
Country: United Kingdom

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Jaguar XK8 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 Jaguar XK8:

Known VDS for a Jaguar XK8
GN274	GX574	GX274	GX224	GX524	GX204	GX504

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 Jaguar XK8 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 Jaguar XK8 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999 Jaguar XK8
W	1998 Jaguar XK8
V	1997 Jaguar XK8

11th Character in the Jaguar XK8 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Jaguar XK8 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
C	Browns Lane		England		SAJGN2747VC001948

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Jaguar XK8

The final 6 characters in a Jaguar XK8’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a Jaguar XK8’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your Jaguar XK8 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Jaguar XK8; the VIN should be visible through the windshield on a plate mounted there.
Examine the driver’s side door jamb on your Jaguar XK8. A VIN sticker or plate is often located where the door latches when closed.
Check the insurance card/insurance policy for your Jaguar XK8, as the VIN is usually printed there.
Review the Jaguar XK8’s vehicle title and registration documents, where the VIN is always listed.
Inspect the rear wheel well. Peer through the rear tire tread to spot the VIN on the top of the frame.
Look under the bonnet (hood) at the front of the engine block. In some Jaguar XK8 models, the VIN may be stamped onto the engine itself.

What info can a Jaguar XK8 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating its potential age and historical value, such as identifying a vehicle as from the year 1997.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, which could indicate the vehicle as a Convertible/Cabriolet, possibly with 2 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Type: Information decoded from a VIN can detail engine specifics, such as V-shaped with 6 cylinders and having a displacement of 4.0 liters or 244 cubic inches, offering insights into the powerplant’s configuration and capability.
Safety Features: Safety equipment such as airbag locations can be discerned, with a VIN indicating the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row, providing insight into the vehicle’s safety features.
Fuel Type: A VIN can specify the vehicle’s primary fuel type, enabling identification of the vehicle as running on gasoline.
Manufacturing Details: It can offer insights into the vehicle’s manufacturing location, pointing to the plant city as Browns Lane and the country as England, providing a glimpse into the vehicle’s origin.
Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN, such as the transmission style being Automatic and the steering location as Left-Hand Drive (LHD), offering insights into the vehicle’s drivability and operational characteristics.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Jaguar XK8

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Destination Market	U.S.
Displacement (CC)	4000.0
Displacement (CI)	244.09497637892
Displacement (L)	4.0
Doors	2
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
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	XK8
Model Year	1997
Plant City	Browns Lane
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	England
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Transmission Style	Automatic
Vehicle Descriptor	SAJGX274*VC
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	SAJGX2740VC006256