How to decode a 1998 Jaguar XK8 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Jaguar XK8 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique three-letter codes assigned to car manufacturers that denote the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and vehicle type. For instance, Jaguar Land Rover Limited, a prestigious automotive company based in Whitley, Coventry, United Kingdom, uses the WMI “SAJ” for certain passenger car models produced between 1997 and 1999, including the elegant 1998 Jaguar XK8. This luxurious passenger car, celebrated for its sophisticated design and performance, bears this specific identifier to clarify its manufacturing origins and type. WMIs are essential for vehicle identification and tracking, serving as the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which offers detailed information about a car’s history, specifications, and authenticity. The 1998 Jaguar XK8’s VIN, starting with “SAJ,” immediately connects it to the United Kingdom’s famed automotive lineage.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Jaguar XK8

WMI: SAJ

Model Years Covered: 1997-1999
Example VIN: SAJGX2240WC018805
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 1998 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 1998 Jaguar XK8:

Known VDS for a 1998 Jaguar XK8
GX224	GX524

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 1998 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 1998 Jaguar XK8 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Jaguar XK8 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Jaguar XK8 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
C	Browns Lane	United Kingdom	England		SAJGX2240WC018805

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Jaguar XK8

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Jaguar XK8’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Jaguar XK8’s VIN below:

How to find a 1998 Jaguar XK8’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Jaguar XK8 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Inspect the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Jaguar XK8. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small plate.
Look inside the door jamb on the driver’s side door of your Jaguar XK8. The VIN may be on a sticker or a plate where the door latches.
Check under the hood of your Jaguar XK8. There will often be a VIN plate located on the engine block or affixed to the body near the engine bay.
Examine the trunk area of your Jaguar XK8, including under the spare tire. Sometimes the VIN is located in the trunk space on a label or a plate.

What info can a 1998 Jaguar XK8 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, in this case pointing to a Convertible/Cabriolet body style, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Specifications: Engine details such as displacement can be retrieved, showing a 4.0L engine capacity, equivalent to 4000 cc or 244.09 ci, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It can indicate the vehicle’s weight class, in this case falling within Class 1 (6,000 lb or less), shedding light on the vehicle’s load capacity and potential use.
Seating Capacity: The VIN provides details about the number of seat rows and total seats, specifying this vehicle has 2 rows and 4 total seats, offering important information about the vehicle’s passenger capacity.
Plant Information: Manufacturing details, including the plant location, highlight that this vehicle was assembled in Browns Lane, England, providing insights into its production origin.
Transmission Details: Information on transmission is available, showing an automatic transmission with 5 speeds, which can offer insights into the vehicle’s driving experience and gear shifting capabilities.

Don’t have your 1998 Jaguar XK8’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Jaguar XK8

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Displacement (CC)	4000
Displacement (CI)	244.0949763789
Displacement (L)	4
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	1998
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	4
Other Engine Info	Twin Canister
Other Restraint System Info	USA spec a/b 2
Plant City	Browns Lane
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	England
Plant State	United Kingdom
Transmission Speeds	5
Transmission Style	Automatic
Vehicle Descriptor	SAJGX224*WC
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	SAJGX2240WC018805