How to decode a 2018 Mazda CX-3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2018 Mazda CX-3 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter or three-digit codes that identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. These codes, part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), provide information about where a vehicle was built, who built it, and the type of vehicle it is. For the 2018 Mazda CX-3, the WMI indicates that it was manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima, Japan. This WMI also categorizes the vehicle as a passenger car, providing a quick reference for regulatory purposes, vehicle registration, and more. Understanding the WMI is essential for automotive industry professionals, enthusiasts, and regulatory bodies to accurately identify and classify vehicles.

List of WMI Codes for a 2018 Mazda CX-3

WMI: JM1

Model Years Covered: 2016-2022
Example VIN: JM1DKDC70J0300246
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 2018 Mazda CX-3 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 2018 Mazda CX-3:

Known VDS for a 2018 Mazda CX-3
DKDC7	DKFD7	DKFB7	DKDD7	DKFC7	DKDB7	DKFA7

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 2018 Mazda CX-3 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 2018 Mazda CX-3 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
J	2018

11th Character in the 2018 Mazda CX-3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2018 Mazda CX-3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
0	Hiroshima	Hiroshima Prefecture	Japan	Mazda	JM1DKDC70J0300246
1	Yamaguchi	Hofu	Japan	Mazda	JM1DKFD70J1323983

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2018 Mazda CX-3

The final 6 characters in a 2018 Mazda CX-3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mazda CX-3’s VIN below:

How to find a 2018 Mazda CX-3’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2018 Mazda CX-3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mazda CX-3. It’s usually located right beneath the windshield, and you can see it from outside the vehicle.
Look at the door pillar on the driver’s side when you open the door of your Mazda CX-3. The VIN is often on a label or sticker where the door latches.
Check the engine bay of your Mazda CX-3, as the VIN may also be stamped onto the engine block or affixed on a plate in that area.
Inspect the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or the title of your Mazda CX-3. These documents should have the VIN listed.
If your Mazda CX-3 has a spare tire, sometimes the VIN can be found in the area where the spare tire is kept.
Consult the owner’s manual of your Mazda CX-3 to see if it directs you to any additional locations specific to the vehicle where the VIN might be located.

What info can a 2018 Mazda CX-3 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2018, possibly providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Safety Features: The vehicle is equipped with standard safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Curtain Airbags for 1st and 2nd rows, and Dynamic Brake Support (DBS), among others, suggesting the car’s focus on passenger safety.
Engine Specifications: The vehicle is powered by a PE engine model from Mazda with a displacement of 2.0 liters (2000 CC or 122.047 CI), potentially indicating the vehicle’s performance capabilities and fuel efficiency.
Body Class and Size: The VIN classifies the vehicle as a Wagon with 5 doors, offering practical insight into the vehicle’s size, utility, and potential storage capacity.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Features such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) are optional, possibly denoting the vehicle’s potential for enhanced driving assistance.
Transmission and Drive Type: The vehicle comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 4x2 drive type, providing details on the car’s drivetrain and handling characteristics.
Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was produced in Mazda’s Hiroshima plant in Japan, indicating the vehicle’s manufacturing origin, potentially affecting its design and quality standards.

Don’t have your 2018 Mazda CX-3’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2018 Mazda CX-3

Vehicle Spec	Value
Active Safety System Note	Active Driving Display: Standard; Hill Launch Assist: Standard; Rear Cross Traffic Alert: Standard; Traffic Sign Recognition System: Standard
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)	Optional
Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB)	Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN)	Standard
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Base Price ($)	25165.00
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Standard
Body Class	Wagon
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)	Standard
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Displacement (CC)	2000
Displacement (CI)	122.0474881894
Displacement (L)	2
Doors	5
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From	146
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Mazda
Engine Model	PE
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Engine Stroke Cycles	4
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Optional
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Lane Departure Warning (LDW)	Optional
Model	CX-3
Model Year	2018
Number of Seats	5
Number of Wheels	4
Plant City	Yamaguchi
Plant Company Name	Mazda
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Hofu
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Optional
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Indirect
Traction Control	Standard
Transmission Speeds	6
Transmission Style	Automatic
Trim	Grand Touring
Vehicle Descriptor	JM1DKFD7*J1
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Wheel Base (inches) From	101.20
Wheel Size Front (inches)	18
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	18
Sample_VIN	JM1DKFD70J1323983