How to decode a 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. In the case of the 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the WMI “JA3” reveals that it was manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Japan, specifically in the city of Minato-Ku, Tokyo. This electric passenger car is one of several models produced by Mitsubishi, with the WMI providing a way to accurately identify the vehicle’s origin and manufacturer details. The code is part of the larger Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which offers extensive information about the car, including its model year and production sequence. The WMI is crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and recall purposes worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV

WMI: JA3

Model Years Covered: 2012, 2014, 2016-2017
Example VIN: JA3215H40GU000284
Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Minato-Ku
State or Province: Tokyo
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV 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 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV:

Known VDS for a 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV
215H4

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 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV 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 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
G	2016

11th Character in the 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
U	Kurashiki	Okayama	Japan	Mizushima Plant	JA3215H40GU000284

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV

The final 6 characters in a 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mitsubishi i-MiEV’s VIN below:

How to find a 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mitsubishi i-MiEV; the VIN can usually be seen through the windshield.
Check the door frame or door post of the driver’s door when it is open, as there’s often a sticker with the VIN in this location on your Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
Examine the engine bay; there is usually a VIN plate or sticker located somewhere on the firewall or near the engine of your Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
Inspect the trunk area, sometimes there is a sticker with the VIN beneath the carpet or on the trunk’s sides in your Mitsubishi i-MiEV.
Review your Mitsubishi i-MiEV’s vehicle registration or insurance documents, which will have the VIN listed.
Look at the vehicle title or maintenance records for the VIN, as this documentation for your Mitsubishi i-MiEV should contain it.

What info can a 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the specific year of manufacture, such as the 2016 model. This insight provides information about the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Electrification Level and Fuel Type: The VIN offers details about the vehicle’s electrification level, as it can be identified as a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) that operates solely on electric power. This indicates the vehicle’s dedication to environmental principles.
Safety Features: The VIN discloses comprehensive safety features, including front airbags in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, side airbags available in both the 1st and 2nd rows, and curtain airbags extending through the 1st and 2nd rows. This information highlights the vehicle’s commitment to occupant protection, providing a sense of security for potential owners.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN specifies the body class, identifying the vehicle as a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 5 doors. This offers insights into the vehicle’s design and practicality aspects, ideal for users valuing space and accessibility.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN provides detailed manufacturing information, revealing the vehicle’s production location and plant. For instance, the vehicle was produced in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan, by MIZUSHIMA PLANT. This information may be of interest to those curious about the origin and build quality of their vehicle.
Other Engine Info: The VIN specifies the engine as an ELECTRICAL MOTOR Y51, emphasizing the vehicle’s purely electric power source, devoid of any conventional internal combustion engine components. This provides clarity about the vehicle’s propulsion system.
Vehicle and Series Type: It is classified as a Passenger Car under the PREMIUM series, suggesting a certain level of features, refinement, or exclusivity associated with this particular model, potentially appealing to buyers seeking a higher-end vehicle.

Don’t have your 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2016 Mitsubishi i-MiEV

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Doors	5
Electrification Level	BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Electric
Model	i-MiEV
Model Year	2016
Other Engine Info	ELECTRICAL MOTOR Y51
Plant City	Kurashiki
Plant Company Name	MIZUSHIMA PLANT
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Okayama
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	PREMIUM
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	JA3215H4*GU
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JA3215H40GU000284