How to decode a Mazda Protege VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Mazda Protege VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the maker and location of a vehicle’s production. It forms the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is essential for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes. Regarding the Mazda Protegé manufactured between 1991 and 2003, the WMI JM1 specifically denotes Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. This code is fundamental in confirming that a vehicle is a Mazda passenger car produced in this particular location. Understanding the WMI helps in authenticating the vehicle’s origin and ensuring its specifications align with regulatory standards set for its manufacturing country and intended markets.

List of WMI Codes for a Mazda Protege

WMI: JM1

Model Years Covered: 1991-2003
Example VIN: JM1BG2240M0272179
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 Mazda Protege 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 Mazda Protege:

Known VDS for a Mazda Protege
BG224	BG226	BA141	BB141	BC142	BC141	BJ222	BJ221	BJ226	BJ225
BJ245	BJ246	BJ227

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 Mazda Protege 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 Mazda Protege VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003 Mazda Protege
2	2002 Mazda Protege
1	2001 Mazda Protege
Y	2000 Mazda Protege
X	1999 Mazda Protege
W	1998 Mazda Protege
V	1997 Mazda Protege
T	1996 Mazda Protege
S	1995 Mazda Protege
R	1994 Mazda Protege
P	1993 Mazda Protege
N	1992 Mazda Protege
M	1991 Mazda Protege

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

Known Mazda Protege Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
0	Hiroshima		Japan	Mazda Motor Corporation	JM1BG2240M0272179
1	Hofu	Yamaguchi	Japan	Mazda Motor Corporation	JM1BJ245021456455

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mazda Protege

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

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How to find a Mazda Protege’s VIN?

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

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of the Mazda Protege; the VIN is typically visible through the windshield on a small plate.
Examine the doorframe or door jamb on the driver’s side; the VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
Check the Mazda Protege’s engine block; the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
Review your Mazda Protege’s vehicle registration documents, insurance card, or title, where the VIN is always listed.
For newer models, inspect the rear wheel well; the VIN might be visible looking straight on at the area where the rear tire doesn’t cover.
On older Mazda Protege models, the VIN can sometimes be found on the front of the car frame, near the container that holds windshield washer fluid.

What info can a Mazda Protege VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can disclose the model year, such as 2002, providing valuable age-related information about the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN can specify the body class. For the Mazda Protege, this may indicate a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Type and Power: Detailed information on the engine, including its manufacturer (Mazda), model (FSD), configuration (In-Line), and a horsepower range (from 117 hp to 143 hp), can also be gleaned from the VIN, offering valuable insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Fuel Type: The VIN can reveal the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, which in this example is gasoline, indicating the vehicle’s fuel efficiency aspects and operational costs.
Safety Features: VIN decoding can provide insights into safety features, illustrating this with front and side airbag locations available in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s safety equipment.
Manufacturing Location: Information about the vehicle’s manufacturing, such as the plant’s city (Hofu), country (Japan), and company (Mazda Motor Corporation), helps trace the vehicle’s production origin, offering insights into its manufacturing history.
Body and Structure Details: The VIN can also provide details about the vehicle’s cooling system (water), the number of doors (4), and the seat belt type (manual), offering a deeper understanding of the vehicle’s structure and design features.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mazda Protege

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Cooling Type	Water
Displacement (CC)	1991
Displacement (CI)	122.04748818946
Displacement (L)	2.0
Doors	5
Engine Brake (hp) From	117
Engine Brake (hp) To	143
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Mazda
Engine Model	FSD
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	Protege
Model Year	2002
Plant City	Hofu
Plant Company Name	Mazda Motor Corporation
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Yamaguchi
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Hatchback
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Vehicle Descriptor	JM1BJ246*21
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JM1BJ246021478254