Free 1996 Mercury Cougar VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Mercury Cougar VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Mercury Cougar VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designated to identify the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and vehicle type. For the 1996 Mercury Cougar, the WMI “1ME” signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in the United States, specifically in Dearborn, Michigan. This code indicates that the vehicle is a passenger car, reflecting its classification and origin. WMIs are crucial for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes, offering a standardized method for identifying a vehicle’s make and model globally. The 1996 Mercury Cougar’s WMI thus provides essential information about its manufacturing background, enhancing understanding and documentation of the vehicle.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Mercury Cougar

WMI: 1ME

• Model Years Covered: 1981, 1983-1997
• Example VIN: 1MELM62W0TH624858
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1996 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 1996 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 1996 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 1996 Mercury Cougar VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Mercury Cougar VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Mercury Cougar Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Mercury Cougar

The final 6 characters in a 1996 Mercury Cougar’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mercury Cougar’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1996 Mercury Cougar VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, such as a 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, indicating it is a Sedan/Saloon with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Type: Detailed engine information such as a V-Shaped configuration with a displacement of 4.6 Liters (281 CI), manufactured by Ford, and having 8 cylinders. The engine’s horsepower ranges from 190 to 210, showcasing its performance capabilities.
• Fuel Efficiency: Insights into the primary fuel type can be gleaned, like the use of Gasoline, which has implications for fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: The location of airbags (1st Row for Driver and Passenger) and the inclusion of advanced restraining systems (with 3-point belts in all outboard positions) underline the vehicle’s safety measures.
• Manufacturing Location: It can indicate the manufacturing location, pinpointing the city of Lorain in the state of Ohio, United States, hence providing clues about the vehicle’s origin.
• Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN, such as a 4x2, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Mercury Cougar

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