Free Kia Sorento VIN Decoder

How to decode a Kia Sorento VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Kia Sorento VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to distinguish their vehicles, marking the start of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). Each WMI contains specific information including the country of manufacture, the manufacturer itself, and the type of vehicle. For instance, the Kia Sorento uses two different WMIs: KND for models produced by Kia Corporation in Seoul, South Korea, and 5XY for those manufactured by Kia Georgia, Inc. in West Point, United States. Both indicate that the vehicle type is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), covering production years from as early as 2003 to the present. This system ensures that each vehicle can be uniquely identified and sourced back to its manufacturer, facilitating easier vehicle tracking and recall processes.

List of WMI Codes for a Kia Sorento

WMI: KND

• Model Years Covered: 2003-2009, 2021-2024
• Example VIN: KNDJC733035038653
• Manufacturer Name: Kia Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Seoul
• State or Province: Seocho-Gu
• Country: South Korea

WMI: 5XY

• Model Years Covered: 2011-2024
• Example VIN: 5XYKUDA20BG002607
• Manufacturer Name: Kia Georgia, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: West Point
• State or Province: Georgia
• Country: United States

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

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 Sorento 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 Sorento VIN — Year Code

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

Known Kia Sorento Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Kia Sorento

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

What info can a Kia Sorento VIN reveal?

• Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2023, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle. The make encoded in the VIN indicates the brand identity of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, specifically a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), possibly providing insights into the vehicle’s design and intended use.
• Engine Specifications: Key engine details such as the manufacturer (KMC), engine model (T-GDI Gamma-II), and displacement (1.6 L) are encoded within the VIN, possibly offering a deeper understanding of the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Safety Features: There’s a chance that the VIN specifies an array of standard safety features, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and Blind Spot Warning (BSW), potentially enhancing the user’s knowledge of the vehicle’s safety provisions.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: The VIN may contain information regarding primary and secondary fuel types, with this vehicle possibly utilizing both Gasoline and Electric power sources, indicating its hybrid nature.
• Advanced Technology Features: The presence of advanced technological features such as Automatic Pedestrian Alerting Sound and Backup Camera is possibly standard, reflecting the vehicle’s modern amenities.
• Transmission and Drivetrain: The VIN provides details on the transmission style (Automatic) and drive type (4WD), possibly critical for understanding the vehicle’s handling and performance characteristics.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Kia Sorento