How to decode a 2000 Nissan Sentra VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2000 Nissan Sentra VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. For the 2000 Nissan Sentra, the WMI is “3N1”, indicating that this vehicle was produced by Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. in Mexico. This three-character code is the first part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in distinguishing a vehicle’s make, model, and the location of its manufacture. Specifically, for the Nissan Sentra from the year 2000, the WMI reveals that it is a passenger car constructed by Nissan in their Mexican facilities. Understanding the WMI is crucial for identifying specific vehicle details, including its manufacturing country and company.

List of WMI Codes for a 2000 Nissan Sentra

WMI: 3N1

Model Years Covered: 1995-2024
Example VIN: 3N1CB51A0YL385685
Manufacturer Name: Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City:
State or Province: C.P.
Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2000 Nissan Sentra 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 2000 Nissan Sentra:

Known VDS for a 2000 Nissan Sentra
CB51A	BB51A	BB51D	CB51D

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 2000 Nissan Sentra 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 2000 Nissan Sentra VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
Y	2000

11th Character in the 2000 Nissan Sentra VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2000 Nissan Sentra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
L	Aguascalientes City	Aguascalientes	Mexico	Aguascalientes Assembly	3N1CB51A0YL385685

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2000 Nissan Sentra

The final 6 characters in a 2000 Nissan Sentra’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2000 Nissan Sentra’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2000 Nissan Sentra is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan Sentra. The VIN is typically located in the corner where the dashboard meets the windshield and can be seen from outside the vehicle.
Check the driver’s side door frame on your Nissan Sentra for a VIN sticker. It’s usually positioned where the door latches when it is closed.
Examine the firewall of the vehicle’s engine bay, where the VIN might be stamped directly onto the metal.
Check your Nissan Sentra’s service and owner’s manual, as the VIN is often printed on either the front or the back cover.
Inspect the rear of your Nissan Sentra, as some manufactures include the VIN on a sticker in the trunk under the carpet next to the spare tire area.

What info can a 2000 Nissan Sentra VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, 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 specific make and model, this may indicate a Sedan/Saloon with a specific number of doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and style.
Safety Features: The presence of front and side airbags in the 1st row (Driver and Passenger) can point towards the safety standards and features available in the vehicle.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN decoding provides the vehicle’s weight class, which can be crucial for understanding its handling characteristics and regulations it may be subject to.
Plant Information: The VIN decodes to reveal where the vehicle was manufactured, including the city, country, and the name of the assembly plant, providing insight into its production origin.
Vehicle Type: It helps to confirm the vehicle’s categorization, such as Passenger Car, allowing for an understanding of its primary design and use.
Other Features: Additional details like the seat belt type and restraints offer clues about the interior safety mechanisms.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2000 Nissan Sentra

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Doors	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
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	Sentra
Model Year	2000
Other Restraint System Info	3-Point manual belts
Plant City	Aguascalientes City
Plant Company Name	Aguascalientes assembly
Plant Country	Mexico
Plant State	Aguascalientes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Vehicle Descriptor	3N1BB51A*YL
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	3N1BB51A4YL001256