How to decode a 2008 Mazda Mazda3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2008 Mazda Mazda3 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. For the 2008 Mazda Mazda3, the WMI indicates it was produced by Mazda Motor Corporation, a renowned automotive manufacturer based in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. This code is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which offers specific information about the vehicle, including its manufacturing location and the type of vehicle it is classified as. In the case of the 2008 Mazda Mazda3, the WMI code positions this vehicle as a passenger car, reflecting its design and purpose. Understanding the WMI is crucial for anyone needing detailed information about a vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and characteristics directly from the VIN.

List of WMI Codes for a 2008 Mazda Mazda3

WMI: JM1

Model Years Covered: 2004-2024
Example VIN: JM1BK344081101062
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 2008 Mazda Mazda3 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 2008 Mazda Mazda3:

Known VDS for a 2008 Mazda Mazda3
BK344	BK34M	BK32G	BK324	BK34L	BK32F	BK323	BK343	BK12F	BK12G
BK123

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 2008 Mazda Mazda3 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 2008 Mazda Mazda3 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
8	2008

11th Character in the 2008 Mazda Mazda3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2008 Mazda Mazda3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
1	Hofu	Yamaguchi	Japan		JM1BK344081101062

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 Mazda Mazda3

The final 6 characters in a 2008 Mazda Mazda3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2008 Mazda Mazda3’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2008 Mazda Mazda3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mazda Mazda3. The VIN is typically placed here so it can be seen through the windshield.
Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side. Your Mazda3 may have the VIN on a sticker where the door latches when it is closed.
Check the engine block. In many vehicles, including the 2008 Mazda Mazda3, the VIN will be stamped onto the engine itself.
Inspect the frame near the windshield washer container under the hood, as the VIN is sometimes found in this location.
Look at your vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or the vehicle title (sometimes referred to as pink slip), where the VIN of your Mazda Mazda3 will always be displayed. 6. If your Mazda3 has a spare tire, sometimes the VIN can be found printed in the area where the spare tire is stored.

What info can a 2008 Mazda Mazda3 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2008, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: Basic information about the Mazda3, including its engine model L3T (2.3L) Turbo Federal, indicates detailed specifications like engine type and fuel efficiency, providing valuable insights into the vehicle’s capabilities.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN reveals the body class as Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback coupled with specific details such as having 5 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s size and style.
Safety Features: Essential safety features can be inferred, including curtain, front, and side air bag locations in the 1st row (Driver and Passenger), along with a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type, highlighting the vehicle’s emphasis on passenger safety.
Fuel Type: It specifies the primary fuel type as Gasoline, which is crucial for understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact and fuel consumption patterns.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN encodes the vehicle’s assembly location in Hofu, Yamaguchi, Japan, giving insight into its production origin, possibly influencing the vehicle’s overall quality and characteristics.
Engine and Performance: Specifications like the displacement in CC (2300.0), CI (140.35461141788), and L (2.3), along with the engine’s brake horsepower starting from 263 hp, illustrate the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities, potentially impacting its overall performance.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 Mazda Mazda3

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Displacement (CC)	2300.0
Displacement (CI)	140.35461141788
Displacement (L)	2.3
Doors	5
Engine Brake (hp) From	263
Engine Model	L3T (2.3L) Turbo Federal
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	Mazda3
Model Year	2008
Plant City	Hofu
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Yamaguchi
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Turbo	Yes
Vehicle Descriptor	JM1BK34L*81
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JM1BK34L081115177