How to decode a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial segment of a vehicle identification number (VIN) that uniquely specifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For instance, in the case of the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero, the WMI is “JA4,” indicating that it is a product of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC), based in Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan. This specific WMI also reveals that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), illustrating its designed use and body style. The WMI is crucial in identifying where a vehicle was manufactured and by whom, providing valuable information for identification, registration, and tracking purposes. Through just these three characters, one can gain insightful details about the origins and type of a vehicle, demonstrating the efficiency and global standardization of the VIN system.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero

WMI: JA4

Model Years Covered: 1985, 1987, 1990, 1994-2006
Example VIN: JA4MW51R02J015292
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 2002 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 2002 Mitsubishi Montero:

Known VDS for a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero
MW51R	MW31R

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 2002 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 2002 Mitsubishi Montero VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
2	2002

11th Character in the 2002 Mitsubishi Montero VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2002 Mitsubishi Montero Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
J	Nagoya		Japan	Nagoya-3	JA4MW51R02J015292

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero

The final 6 characters in a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mitsubishi Montero’s VIN below:

How to find a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2002 Mitsubishi Montero is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mitsubishi Montero. You can typically see the VIN through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb. There is usually a sticker or plate with the VIN where the door latches.
Examine the engine block of your Mitsubishi Montero. The VIN is often stamped onto the engine itself.
Review your vehicle’s registration documents or insurance papers, which will list the VIN of your 2002 Mitsubishi Montero.
Check beneath the spare tire in the trunk or rear storage compartment. Sometimes the VIN is located in that area for additional verification.

What info can a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero VIN reveal?

Model Year and Manufacturing Details: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year 2002, and where it was assembled, in this case, Nagoya, Japan. This can be important for understanding the vehicle’s origin and assembly year for potential buyers or collectors.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN may indicate the vehicle as a Montero with a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) body class, suggesting its versatility and functionality for various activities or family use.
Engine and Performance: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is equipped with a 3.50 L (3500 CC or 213.58 CI) V-Shaped engine with 6 cylinders and a Single Overhead Cam (SOHC), highlighting the engine’s capability and potentially influencing performance and fuel economy considerations.
Drive Type and Brake System: The VIN could indicate a 4WD (4-Wheel Drive) configuration and a hydraulic brake system, suggesting the vehicle’s robust performance and safety in various driving conditions.
Fuel Specifications: The VIN may suggest that the vehicle utilizes Gasoline as its primary fuel type with a Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) system, possibly indicating its fuel efficiency and engine performance characteristics.
Safety and Capacity: The VIN may categorize the vehicle under Gross Vehicle Weight Rating as Class 1D (5,001 - 6,000 lb or 2,268 - 2,722 kg), possibly indicating the safety aspects and capacity to cater to family or group transportation needs.
Manufacturing and Series Information: The VIN may provide details about the plant company name as NAGOYA-3 and the inclusion in the MEDIUM series, offering additional insights into the vehicle’s manufacturing details and series.

Don’t have your 2002 Mitsubishi Montero’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 Mitsubishi Montero

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Brake System Type	Hydraulic
Displacement (CC)	3500.00
Displacement (CI)	213.583104331562
Displacement (L)	3.50
Doors	5
Drive Type	4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Model	Montero
Model Year	2002
Other Engine Info	MPI
Plant City	Nagoya
Plant Company Name	NAGOYA-3
Plant Country	Japan
Series	MEDIUM
Valve Train Design	Single Overhead Cam (SOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JA4MW31R*2J
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	JA4MW31R02J070054