How to decode a 2015 Mazda Mazda3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2015 Mazda Mazda3 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial section of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), consisting of the first three characters. It uniquely identifies the manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For the 2015 Mazda Mazda3, two distinct WMIs are utilized: “JM1” signifies cars made by Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima, Japan, highlighting its Japanese origin and manufacturer. Conversely, “3MZ” is used for Mazda3 vehicles manufactured by Mazda Motor Manufacturing de Mexico in Salamanca, Guanajuato, Mexico, signifying a different manufacturing location while remaining under the Mazda brand. These codes are crucial in identifying the specific origins and manufacturers of vehicles across the globe.

List of WMI Codes for a 2015 Mazda Mazda3

WMI: JM1

Model Years Covered: 2004-2024
Example VIN: JM1BM1L70F1225730
Manufacturer Name: Mazda Motor Corporation
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Hiroshima
State or Province: Hiroshima Prefecture
Country: Japan WMI: 3MZ
Model Years Covered: 2014-2024
Example VIN: 3MZBM1L70FM124736
Manufacturer Name: Mazda Motor Manufacturing de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Salamanca
State or Province: Guanajuato
Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2015 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 2015 Mazda Mazda3:

Known VDS for a 2015 Mazda Mazda3
BM1L7	BM1U7	BM1W7	BM1T7	BM1M7	BM1M3	BM1V7	BM1V3	BM1W3	BM1K7
BM1L3

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 2015 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 2015 Mazda Mazda3 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
F	2015

11th Character in the 2015 Mazda Mazda3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2015 Mazda Mazda3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
1	Hofu	Yamaguchi	Japan	Mazda Motor Corporation	JM1BM1L70F1225730
M	Guanajuato	Salamanca	Mexico	Mmmdm(Mazda Motor Manufacturing De Mexico)	3MZBM1L70FM124736

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2015 Mazda Mazda3

The final 6 characters in a 2015 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 2015 Mazda Mazda3’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2015 Mazda Mazda3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mazda Mazda3 2015; the VIN is commonly visible from the outside by looking through the windshield at the area where the dashboard meets the glass.
Look on the driver’s side door post of your Mazda Mazda3 2015, where the door latches when closed. There should be a sticker or plate with the VIN.
Review the vehicle registration documents for your Mazda Mazda3 2015, as the VIN will be recorded there.
Check your Mazda Mazda3 2015’s insurance card/policy, as insurance companies always include the VIN on these documents.
If you have the owner’s manual of your Mazda Mazda3 2015, the VIN may sometimes be recorded inside the cover or within the manual’s pages.
Inspect under the hood of your Mazda Mazda3 2015; the VIN might also be placed on a plaque or sticker on the engine bay or the firewall.

What info can a 2015 Mazda Mazda3 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2015, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: The VIN decoding suggests that the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s body style and size.
Engine Specifications: The VIN details indicate that the vehicle features a 2.0 Liter engine from Mazda, model PE, with an in-line configuration and four cylinders, potentially indicative of the vehicle’s performance capability.
Fuel Type: By decoding the VIN, one may determine that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, guiding potential fuel economy considerations.
Safety Features: The VIN contains detailed safety feature information, such as the presence of curtain airbags in both the 1st and 2nd rows and front and side airbags for the 1st row (Driver and Passenger), illustrating the vehicle’s emphasis on passenger safety.
Manufacturing Details: From the VIN, it is possible to ascertain the vehicle’s manufacturing location in Guanajuato, Mexico, by Mazda Motor Manufacturing de Mexico (MMMdM), reflecting on the car’s origin and possibly its build quality.
Specific Model and Trim: The VIN decoding highlights the specific make as Mazda3 with Touring/GS trim, allowing individuals to pinpoint exact model characteristics and features.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2015 Mazda Mazda3

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Displacement (CC)	2000.0
Displacement (CI)	122.04748818946
Displacement (L)	2.0
Doors	5
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Mazda
Engine Model	PE
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Engine Stroke Cycles	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	Mazda3
Model Year	2015
Plant City	Guanajuato
Plant Company Name	Mmmdm(Mazda Motor Manufacturing De Mexico)
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	Salamanca
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Indirect
Trim	Touring/GS
Vehicle Descriptor	3MZBM1L7*FM
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	3MZBM1L70FM124736