Free Kia VIN Decoder

How to decode a Kia VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Kia VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, denoting critical details such as the country of manufacture, the type of vehicle, and the specific facility where it was produced. For instance, Kia Corporation utilizes several WMIs across its global operations: KNA and KND for passenger and multipurpose vehicles made in Seoul, South Korea, respectively; 3KP for passenger cars assembled in Pesqueria, Mexico; and 5XX for passenger cars, alongside 5XY for multipurpose vehicles, both produced in West Point, Georgia, United States. These codes serve as the first three characters of a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), providing an immediate understanding of key vehicle attributes and origin.

List of WMI Codes for a Kia

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Kia VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the most popular vehicle descriptor codes for a Kia:

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 Kia 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 Kia VIN — Year Code

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

Known Kia Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Kia

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

What info can a Kia VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year of manufacture, with an indication of 2020.
• Body Class and Type: A VIN can specify the body class, possibly identifying the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), which offers insights into the vehicle’s design and intended use.
• Engine and Fuel Type: VIN information may reveal engine details, possibly indicating a 1.6L engine size with Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) design. It might also suggest the vehicle is a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) with primary electric fuel and secondary gasoline fuel systems.
• Safety Features: The VIN may suggest the presence of standard safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), forward collision warning (FCW), and curtain airbags for 1st and 2nd rows, possibly highlighting the vehicle’s safety measures.
• Electrification Level and Battery Details: Specifics about the vehicle being a PHEV and details about its battery, such as the type being Lithium-Ion and a 360V battery voltage, may reflect on its ecological footprint and performance efficiency.
• Driver Assistance Technologies: It can indicate the inclusion of advanced driving assistance systems like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), and Blind Spot Warning (BSW), possibly emphasizing the vehicle’s modern technology adaptations for safety and convenience.
• Manufacturing Information: Details such as the manufacturing plant location in Hwasung, South Korea, and the vehicle’s assembly specifics can be discerned from the VIN, offering insights into the geographical origin and production quality of the vehicle.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Kia