Free 1997 Kia Sephia VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Kia Sephia VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Kia Sephia VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle globally. For the 1997 Kia Sephia, the WMI is “KNA”, indicating that Kia Corporation, located in Seoul, Seocho-Gu, South Korea, is the manufacturer. This specific WMI falls within the range covering model years from 1995 to 1997, categorizing the vehicle as a passenger car. Through the WMI, one can deduce not only the maker of the vehicle but also gain insights into the vehicle type and its country of origin, underscoring the WMI’s importance in vehicle identification and international tracking.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Kia Sephia

WMI: KNA

• Model Years Covered: 1995-1997
• Example VIN: KNAFA1244V5276976
• 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 1997 Kia Sephia 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 1997 Kia Sephia:

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 1997 Kia Sephia 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 1997 Kia Sephia VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Kia Sephia VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Kia Sephia Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Kia Sephia

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Kia Sephia’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Kia Sephia’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1997 Kia Sephia VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that the Kia Sephia in question may be from the year 1997, providing insights into its age and potential market value.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN identifies the plant city and country of manufacture, such as Whasung, South Korea, possibly providing insights into where the vehicle was assembled.
• Vehicle Specifications: Essential details of the Kia Sephia, including engine displacement (1.8 liters or 1800 cc), the number of cylinders (4), and the body class (Sedan/Saloon) are encoded within the VIN, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s specifications.
• Fuel Type: It specifies the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, such as gasoline, which might guide potential fuel efficiency and environmental footprint considerations.
• Safety Features: The VIN can indicate standard safety features like the presence of front airbags in both the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), possibly highlighting the vehicle’s commitment to occupant safety.
• Engine and Performance: Information about the engine’s valve train design, such as the Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), and the engine displacement might provide insights into the vehicle’s performance characteristics.
• Doors: The number of doors (e.g., 4) is specified, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s design and functionality, possibly suitable for family or personal use.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Kia Sephia