Free 2012 Kia Rio VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2012 Kia Rio VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Kia Rio VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. This code reveals the vehicle’s country of origin, manufacturer name, and vehicle type. For instance, Kia Corporation uses the WMI “KNA” for vehicles manufactured in South Korea, specifically in the city of Seoul, Seocho-Gu. This WMI is particularly relevant for models such as the 2012 Kia Rio, indicating it as a passenger car produced by Kia. The structure of the WMI not only aids global identification of a vehicle’s manufacturing origin but also encapsulates essential details about the vehicle’s brand and location within its initial characters.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Kia Rio

WMI: KNA

• Model Years Covered: 2001-2017
• Example VIN: KNADN5A30C6011619
• Manufacturer Name: Kia Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Seoul
• State or Province: Seocho-Gu
• Country: South Korea

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 Kia Rio 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 2012 Kia Rio:

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 2012 Kia Rio 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 2012 Kia Rio VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2012 Kia Rio VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 Kia Rio Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Kia Rio

The final 6 characters in a 2012 Kia Rio’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Kia Rio’s VIN below:

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What info can a 2012 Kia Rio VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the Kia Rio to be a 2012 model, providing insights into the age and production specifics of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN may indicate that the Kia Rio was manufactured in Sohari, South Korea by Kia Motors Corporation, giving details about its production location and manufacturer.
• Engine Type: Based on the VIN, it can be determined that the Rio model comes equipped with a 1.6L DOHC Gamma engine, signifying its displacement in liters (L) and cubic centimeters (CC).
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, such as Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, and in this case, it may indicate a vehicle with 5 doors, offering insights into the design and capacity of the Rio model.
• Fuel Efficiency and Fuel Type: The VIN may provide information about the primary fuel type, indicating that the Rio uses Gasoline. It may also reveal engine-specific features like a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design, offering insights into the vehicle’s fuel usage and engine mechanics.
• Safety Features: The VIN may include details about safety equipment specifications, including airbag locations such as curtain airbags in the 1st and 2nd rows, and front and side airbags for the 1st row (Driver and Passenger), indicating comprehensive safety measures integrated into the vehicle’s design.
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Seat Belts: Important safety and maintenance features like the type of TPMS, which in this case is direct, and the manual seat belt type, highlight vehicle safety and maintenance capabilities that can be identified through a VIN.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN may also detail the GVWR, indicating the vehicle’s weight rating class.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Kia Rio

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