How to decode a 2000 Mazda Protege VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2000 Mazda Protege VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes offer a standardized method for identifying key characteristics of vehicles, including the manufacturer and the country of production. For instance, the 2000 Mazda Protege has a WMI of “JM1,” indicating it was produced by Mazda Motor Corporation in Japan. Specifically, this code signifies the vehicle was assembled in Hiroshima, within the Hiroshima Prefecture. The WMI is the first segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a unique code that provides detailed information about each individual vehicle. This identifier is crucial for various automotive processes, including registration, insurance, and recalls.

List of WMI Codes for a 2000 Mazda Protege

WMI: JM1

Model Years Covered: 1991-2003
Example VIN: JM1BJ2220Y0205426
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 2000 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 2000 Mazda Protege:

Known VDS for a 2000 Mazda Protege
BJ222	BJ221

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 2000 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 2000 Mazda Protege VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
Y	2000

11th Character in the 2000 Mazda Protege VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2000 Mazda Protege Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
0	Hiroshima		Nan	Mazda Motor Corporation	JM1BJ2220Y0205426

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2000 Mazda Protege

The final 6 characters in a 2000 Mazda Protege’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mazda Protege’s VIN below:

How to find a 2000 Mazda Protege’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2000 Mazda Protege is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mazda Protege 2000. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield.
Look at the door pillar on the driver’s side when you open the door of your Mazda Protege. The VIN might be found on a label or decal.
Examine the engine bay. The VIN for your Mazda Protege 2000 might also be stamped on the firewall of the engine compartment.
Consult your vehicle registration documents, insurance card, or title, which should all contain the VIN for your Mazda Protege 2000.
Inspect the trunk area. Sometimes there is a sticker with the VIN under the trunk mat or on the spare tire cover of a Mazda Protege 2000.

What info can a 2000 Mazda Protege VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2000, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Manufacturing Details: It may indicate that the vehicle was manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima, showcasing the global footprint of vehicle production.
Vehicle Specifications: The details provided unveil a Mazda Protege Sedan with a 1.6 Liter, Inline 4-cylinder engine, highlighting the engine’s size and configuration.
Engine Performance: The engine of this Mazda Protege can produce a horsepower range of 95 to 115, providing insights into the vehicle’s potential performance.
Fuel Type: This vehicle runs on Gasoline, which can be important for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: Safety may be accentuated with front airbags available in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, signifying the vehicle’s equipped safety measures.
Body Information: The body class can be identified as a Sedan/Saloon with four doors, outlining the vehicle’s design and structural layout.

Don’t have your 2000 Mazda Protege’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2000 Mazda Protege

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Cooling Type	Water
Displacement (CC)	1598
Displacement (CI)	97.63799055157
Displacement (L)	1.6
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	95
Engine Brake (hp) To	115
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Mazda
Engine Model	ZMD
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	Protege
Model Year	2000
Plant City	Hiroshima
Plant Company Name	Mazda Motor Corporation
Series	Sedan
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JM1BJ222*Y0
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JM1BJ2220Y0205426