Free Mitsubishi Montero VIN Decoder

How to decode a Mitsubishi Montero VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Mitsubishi Montero VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code allocated to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). For vehicles like the Mitsubishi Montero, this code reveals key details about the vehicle’s origins and specifications. Specifically, vehicles produced by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) for model years ranging from 1985 through 2006, including variations in 1987 and 1990, are identified by the WMI JA4. This code indicates that these multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) were manufactured in Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. Understanding the WMI not only helps in identifying the make and manufacturing location of the vehicle but also provides insights into the type of vehicle and its intended use.

List of WMI Codes for a Mitsubishi Montero

WMI: JA4

• Model Years Covered: 1985, 1987, 1990, 1994-2006
• Example VIN: JA4FJ43E5FJ500576
• Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Minato-Ku
• State or Province: Tokyo
• Country: Japan

WMI: JA7

• Model Years Covered: 1987-1989
• Example VIN: JA7FJ23E3HJ004430
• Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)
• Vehicle Type: Truck
• City: Minato-Ku
• State or Province: Tokyo
• Country: Japan

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

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 Montero 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 Montero VIN — Year Code

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

Known Mitsubishi Montero Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mitsubishi Montero

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

What info can a Mitsubishi Montero VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2003, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Fuel Type: The VIN specifies that the Montero utilizes Gasoline, indicating the vehicle’s fuel preferences, although it’s possible that the fuel type could vary in some instances.
• Engine Details: Detailed engine information is revealed, such as a 3.8 Liter, V-Shaped, 6-cylinder engine with Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), indicating a potent and efficient engine layout, though variations may exist in some cases.
• Drive Type and Body Class: The VIN describes the drive type as 4WD, indicating four-wheel drive capability, suitable for a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) like the Montero, offering versatility in various driving conditions. The body class is not specified in the provided VIN information.
• Manufacturing Origin: The VIN encodes manufacturing details, pinpointing the Montero’s production location to Nagoya, Japan, by a company named NAGOYA-3, highlighting the vehicle’s international manufacturing background.
• Safety and Performance Features: Features such as a Hydraulic brake system, indicative of the vehicle’s safety and performance attributes, are encoded within the VIN, though the specific safety and performance features can vary.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN categorizes the Montero under Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg), providing important information regarding the vehicle’s weight classification and its potential road usage regulations, although there’s a chance that this classification could differ in some cases.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mitsubishi Montero