Free Mercury Cougar VIN Decoder

How to decode a Mercury Cougar VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Mercury Cougar VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to distinguish their products globally. Specifically, for the Mercury Cougar, two distinct WMIs reflect its production phases and locations. The WMI 1ME signifies vehicles produced by Ford Motor Company, predominantly covering model years from 1981 and then from 1983 to 1997, indicating the Cougar’s earlier manufacturing stages in Dearborn, Michigan. Another phase is denoted by the WMI 1ZW, representing vehicles crafted by Auto Alliance International, USA, which catered to model years 1999 to 2002, marking a later production era for the Cougar. These WMIs not only trace the vehicle’s manufacturing lineage but also highlight its evolution across different times and locations within the United States.

List of WMI Codes for a Mercury Cougar

WMI: 1ME

• Model Years Covered: 1981, 1983-1997
• Example VIN: 1MEBP90F6BH603650
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 1ZW

• Model Years Covered: 1999-2002
• Example VIN: 1ZWFT6031X5756375
• Manufacturer Name: Auto Alliance International, USA
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Wasington
• State or Province: DC
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Mercury Cougar 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 Mercury Cougar:

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 Mercury Cougar 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 Mercury Cougar VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Mercury Cougar VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Mercury Cougar Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mercury Cougar

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

What info can a Mercury Cougar VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 2000, providing insights into the age and potential technological features.
• Vehicle Specifications: Basic Ford Cougar model information, including a V-shaped engine configuration and a 2.5-liter displacement, highlights key performance metrics.
• Fuel Type: The VIN reveals the primary fuel type as gasoline in this case, which is crucial for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: Standard safety features, like front and side airbags for both driver and passenger in the first row, can be deduced from the VIN, indicating a focus on occupant protection.
• Engine Specification: The engine of the Ford Cougar features a 170 horsepower output and incorporates an Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) system for enhanced performance and fuel economy.
• Production Details: Manufacturing specifics, such as the plant city Flat Rock in Michigan, United States, under the company AAI, are encoded within the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin.
• Body Class and Type: The VIN specifies the body class as Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, which aids in understanding the vehicle’s design, storage capacity, and general aesthetic appeal.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mercury Cougar