How to decode a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This code forms the first segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in identifying key attributes of the vehicle, including its manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of assembly. For instance, the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport has a WMI of “JA4,” indicating it was produced by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Japan. This particular WMI specifies that the vehicle is a multipurpose passenger vehicle, manufactured in Tokyo. Through the WMI, one can trace the origin and essential attributes of a vehicle, making it an invaluable tool for vehicle identification and verification purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

WMI: JA4

Model Years Covered: 1991-1993, 1997-2004
Example VIN: JA4LS31H0XP000976
Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Minato-Ku
State or Province: Tokyo
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport 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 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport:

Known VDS for a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport
LS31H	LS21G	MT41R	LS41R	MT31H

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 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport 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 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
X	1999

11th Character in the 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
P	Nagoya		Japan	Nagoya-2	JA4LS31H0XP000976

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

The final 6 characters in a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mitsubishi Montero Sport’s VIN below:

How to find a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mitsubishi Montero Sport, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area. Your Mitsubishi Montero Sport should have a VIN plate or sticker where the door latches when closed.
Examine the firewall of the vehicle’s engine bay, which is sometimes a place manufacturers affix the VIN plate.
Check your Mitsubishi Montero Sport’s service or maintenance book. The VIN is usually recorded there by the dealership.
If you need more assistance, you can look at the vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance documents, all of which should contain the VIN.

What info can a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating it was manufactured in 1999, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN information suggests that the vehicle is a Montero Sport, which falls under the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) body class, and it may have a specific number of doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Drive Type: The VIN specifies that the vehicle has a 4WD (4-Wheel Drive) system, which might be crucial for understanding the vehicle’s drivetrain capabilities and performance in various road conditions.
Fuel Type: According to the VIN, the primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline. This information might provide insights into fuel compatibility and efficiency considerations for potential owners.
Brake System Type: The VIN indicates that the braking system of the vehicle is hydraulic, suggesting the kind of brake technology the vehicle employs.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN provides information that indicates the vehicle was manufactured in Nagoya, Japan, by the plant company named NAGOYA-2. This detail may offer valuable insights into the vehicle’s origin, which can be useful for assessing build quality and availability of parts.

Don’t have your 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1999 Mitsubishi Montero Sport

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	3000.0
Displacement (CI)	183.07123228419
Displacement (L)	3.0
Doors	5
Drive Type	4x2
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Model	Montero Sport
Model Year	1999
Other Engine Info	MPI
Plant City	Nagoya
Plant Company Name	NAGOYA-2
Plant Country	Japan
Series	MEDIUM
Vehicle Descriptor	JA4LS31H*XP
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	JA4LS31H0XP000976