Free Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN Decoder

How to decode a Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer, vehicle type, and country of origin. For instance, the WMI for certain Mitsubishi Eclipse models is ‘4A3’, signifying that these vehicles were manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors North America, primarily designated as passenger cars. The ‘4A3’ code is particularly associated with vehicles produced between 1991 and 2012, excluding the year 1993, and indicates that these cars were assembled in the United States, specifically in Cypress, California. This WMI is a crucial part of the VIN that aids in the tracking and registration of vehicles, ensuring each car’s history and specifications are uniquely identified.

List of WMI Codes for a Mitsubishi Eclipse

WMI: 4A3

• Model Years Covered: 1991-1992, 1994-2012
• Example VIN: 4A3CT64U4ME117543
• Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors North America
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Cypress
• State or Province: California
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Mitsubishi Eclipse 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 Mitsubishi Eclipse:

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 Mitsubishi Eclipse 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 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Mitsubishi Eclipse Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mitsubishi Eclipse

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

What info can a Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN may indicate the vehicle’s model year as 2012, offering insights into the age and potential technological features of the Eclipse.
• Engine Specifications: The vehicle potentially features a 2.4L Displacement and MIVEC technology, suggesting an engine designed for a balance of power and efficiency, typical of modern gasoline engines.
• Body Class and Doors: The vehicle is categorized as a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 3 doors, providing a clue to its design focus on practicality and possibly sporty aesthetics.
• Safety Features: The vehicle is equipped with curtain, front, and side airbags for both driver and passenger, alongside a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), emphasizing a strong dedication to occupant safety.
• Fuel Type: The vehicle is specified to run on Gasoline, indicating the engine’s fuel compatibility and possibly its economic or performance tuning focus.
• Plant Information: The vehicle was manufactured in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois, United States, pointing towards its American manufacturing lineage.
• Seat Belt Type: The manual seat belt type suggests a straightforward, possibly more mechanically reliability-focused approach to safety restraints.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mitsubishi Eclipse