Free 1988 Mazda 323 VIN Decoder

Unlock the adventurous spirit of the 1988 Mazda 323! Use our FREE VIN decoder below to explore its rich history and features. Simply enter your VIN in the box to get started.

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How to decode a 1988 Mazda 323 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Mazda 323 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter or three-number codes used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, as well as its type and manufacturing location. For the 1988 Mazda 323, the WMI “JM1” specifies that this car was manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation located in Hiroshima, Japan. This identifier applies to passenger cars and denotes a period of production that includes model years from 1987 to 1989, and then again from 1991 to 1992. The city of manufacture is Hiroshima, in the Hiroshima Prefecture, identifying the vehicle as a product of Japan. This specific coding system helps in easily identifying and tracking vehicles globally, providing essential information such as the make, vehicle type, and manufacturing site.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Mazda 323

WMI: JM1

  • Model Years Covered: 1987-1989, 1991-1992
  • Example VIN: JM1BF2235J0156661
  • Manufacturer Name: Mazda Motor Corporation
  • Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
  • City: Hiroshima
  • State or Province: Hiroshima Prefecture
  • Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1988 Mazda 323 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 1988 Mazda 323:

Known VDS for a 1988 Mazda 323
BF223

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 1988 Mazda 323 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 1988 Mazda 323 VIN — Year Code

Year Code Year
J 1988

11th Character in the 1988 Mazda 323 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Mazda 323 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code Plant City Plant State Plant Country Plant Company Name Example VIN
0 Hiroshima Japan JM1BF2235J0156661

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Mazda 323

The final 6 characters in a 1988 Mazda 323’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mazda 323’s VIN below:

How to find a 1988 Mazda 323’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1988 Mazda 323 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

  1. Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mazda 323 near where the windshield meets the dash. This is one of the most common places to find the VIN.
  2. Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area. The VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when it is closed.
  3. Check for the Vehicle Identification Number on the firewall of the engine compartment. In some Mazda models, the VIN may be stamped on a metal plate mounted here.
  4. If your Mazda 323 has its original paperwork, the VIN will also be printed on the vehicle title, registration, and insurance documents.
  5. Inspect the trunk area. Sometimes the VIN can be found on the floor of the trunk under the spare tire or on the trunk’s lid.
VIN Decoder

What info can a 1988 Mazda 323 VIN reveal?

  • Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating a model year like 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
  • Plant Country: The manufacturing country, as indicated by the VIN, such as Japan, offers insights into the vehicle’s origin and production location.
  • Vehicle Specifications: Essential data for a Mazda 323, including details like the engine model B6 and specifics about a 4-cylinder engine setup, are encoded within the VIN, potentially offering detailed insights into the vehicle’‘’s specifications.
  • Displacement and Power: Engine details, including metrics such as displacement in CC (1589.545208), CI (97), and L (1.589545208), as well as horsepower ranging from 119 to 145, can be discerned from the VIN, potentially providing insights into the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
  • Fuel Efficiency and Performance: The VIN may reveal fuel type, such as Gasoline, and performance features like turbocharging, which can indicate the car’s operational efficiency and power, providing potential insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and performance capabilities.
  • Safety Features: Information such as the seat belt type, specified as Manual, provides a glimpse into the potential safety features available in the vehicle, based on VIN decoding.
  • Body Class and Size: The VIN can reveal the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, potentially illustrating its body type and size, providing potential insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
VIN Decoder

Don’t have your 1988 Mazda 323’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Mazda 323

Vehicle Spec Value
Body Class Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC) 1589.545208
Displacement (CI) 97
Displacement (L) 1.589545208
Doors 4
Engine Brake (hp) From 119
Engine Brake (hp) To 145
Engine Model B6
Engine Number of Cylinders 4
Fuel Type - Primary Gasoline
Model 323
Model Year 1988
Plant City Hiroshima
Plant Company Name
Plant Country Japan
Seat Belt Type Manual
Turbo Yes
Vehicle Descriptor JM1BF223*J0
Vehicle Type Passenger Car
Sample_VIN JM1BF2235J0156661
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