How to decode a 2012 Nissan Leaf VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Nissan Leaf VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing insight into where and by whom a vehicle was made. For the 2012 Nissan Leaf, the WMI “JN1” specifically denotes that this car was manufactured by Nissan Motor Company, Ltd., one of the leading vehicle manufacturers based in Tokyo, Japan. This electric passenger car, marked with this WMI, signifies its production origins and certifies its compliance with global manufacturing standards. The distinctive code is the first component of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which further encodes specific information about the vehicle, including its model and production year. For anyone researching or validating the authenticity of their vehicle, understanding the WMI is crucial, especially for identifying the make and model, such as the 2012 Nissan Leaf in this case.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Nissan Leaf

WMI: JN1

Model Years Covered: 2011-2012
Example VIN: JN1AZ0CP0CT015199
Manufacturer Name: Nissan Motor Company, Ltd.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Chuo-Ku
State or Province: Tokyo
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 Nissan Leaf 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 2012 Nissan Leaf:

Known VDS for a 2012 Nissan Leaf
AZ0CP

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 2012 Nissan Leaf 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 2012 Nissan Leaf VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

11th Character in the 2012 Nissan Leaf VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 Nissan Leaf Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
T	Yokosuka	Kanagawa	Japan	Oppama Plant	JN1AZ0CP0CT015199

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Nissan Leaf

The final 6 characters in a 2012 Nissan Leaf’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Nissan Leaf’s VIN below:

How to find a 2012 Nissan Leaf’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Nissan Leaf is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan Leaf. The VIN is usually visible through the windshield on a small plate near the corner.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area for a sticker or plate on the Nissan Leaf, which typically displays the VIN.
Check the Nissan Leaf’s engine bay. The VIN might be found on a sticker or plate attached to the engine block or the firewall.
Review your Nissan Leaf’s vehicle registration documents or insurance papers, as the VIN will be recorded there.
Inspect the trunk area of your Nissan Leaf; sometimes a VIN sticker is placed in the spare tire well or on the trunk lid.
Look into the owner’s manual or service book for your Nissan Leaf, as the VIN is often recorded in these documents by the dealership.

What info can a 2012 Nissan Leaf VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2012, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 2012 Leaf, this may indicate a Passenger Car, particularly a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN. In the case of the 2012 Leaf, it is a 4x2, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Fuel Type: The VIN can provide information on the fuel type of the vehicle, and in the case of the 2012 Leaf, it is an electric vehicle (BEV), highlighting its eco-friendly propulsion mechanism.
Manufacturing Plant: The VIN may also provide details about where the vehicle was manufactured. In the case of the 2012 Leaf, it was manufactured in Yokosuka, Japan, at the Oppama Plant, showcasing its origins and providing insights into its manufacturing background.
Safety Features: The VIN report indicates the presence of comprehensive safety features, including curtain airbags covering both the 1st and 2nd rows, front airbags for the driver and passenger, and side airbags for added protection in the 1st row, contributing to the overall safety profile of the vehicle.
TPMS and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Additionally, the VIN suggests that the 2012 Leaf is equipped with a Direct TPMS for constant tire pressure monitoring and falls within Class 1 for Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, indicating a lightweight structure designed for efficiency.

Don’t have your 2012 Nissan Leaf’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Nissan Leaf

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Electrification Level	BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Electric
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Model	Leaf
Model Year	2012
Other Engine Info	Motor
Other Restraint System Info	2nd row outboard and 3-pt manual belts, 2nd row center 3-point manual belts
Plant City	Yokosuka
Plant Company Name	Oppama plant
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Kanagawa
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	JN1AZ0CP*CT
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JN1AZ0CP0CT015199