- What you'll get from Peterbilt VIN check?
- Characters 1-3 of a Peterbilt VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Peterbilt
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Peterbilt VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Peterbilt VIN.
- 10th Character in the Peterbilt VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Peterbilt VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Peterbilt Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Peterbilt
- How to find a Peterbilt's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Peterbilt
What you’ll get from Peterbilt VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year 2005, providing insight into its age and potentially its features and specifications.
- Body Class and Vehicle Type: It typically indicates the body class as a Van and specifies the vehicle as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, which might help in understanding the vehicle’s intended use and capacity.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN could detail the engine type, such as the MB OM647LA (50-State) with a 2.7 liter, 5-cylinder inline diesel engine, offering insights into performance capabilities and fuel efficiency.
- Drive Type and Brake System: It can disclose the vehicle’s drive type as 4x2 and the brake system as hydraulic, which are critical for assessing handling and safety features.
- Fuel Type: This VIN suggests that the primary fuel type is Diesel, which is essential for understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact and fuel economy.
- Plant Information: Manufacturing details such as the plant city being Duesseldorf and the plant country Germany can be determined, which might indicate quality standards and origin.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It can indicate the gross vehicle weight rating as Class 2G: 8,001 - 9,000 lb (3,629 - 4,082 kg), essential for understanding the vehicle’s load capacity and compliance with transportation laws.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Peterbilt VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Peterbilt VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of letters and numbers assigned to every vehicle manufacturer around the globe. These codes are the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which help in identifying the manufacturer’s name, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For instance, the WMI for Peterbilt, assigned for specific vehicle models, holds essential information about the vehicles produced under this brand, including the maker’s identity and the type of vehicles they are known for. This specific coding system allows for streamlined identification and regulation of vehicles worldwide, strengthening global standards in vehicle manufacturing and safety. It serves a crucial role in distinguishing vehicles on an international scale, ensuring each vehicle can be traced back to its manufacturer.
List of WMI Codes for a Peterbilt
| WMI | Manufacturer Name | Vehicle Type | City | State or Province | Country | Model Years Covered | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WD5 | Daimler Chrysler Ag | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Germany | 2003-2005 | WD5WD641335421563 |
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Peterbilt 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 Peterbilt:
| Known VDS for a Peterbilt | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WD641 | WD242 | WD742 | WD642 | PD144 | PD644 | PD743 | PD744 | PD643 |
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 Peterbilt 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 Peterbilt VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 5 | 2005 |
| 4 | 2004 |
| 3 | 2003 |
11th Character in the Peterbilt VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Peterbilt Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Duesseldorf | North Rhine-Westphalia | Germany | WD5WD641335421563 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Peterbilt
The final 6 characters in a Peterbilt’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Decode a Peterbilt VIN
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Peterbilt’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Peterbilt is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the door frame on the driver’s side of your Peterbilt truck. The VIN is typically found on a sticker or metal plate where the door latches.
- Look under the hood of your Peterbilt. The VIN might be stamped onto the engine block or affixed on a metal plate attached to the chassis.
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Peterbilt, near the corner where it meets the windshield. The VIN is often positioned so it can be read through the windshield.
- Inspect the rear frame of your Peterbilt truck. Sometimes, the VIN is stamped directly onto the truck’s frame near the rear wheels.
Don’t have your Peterbilt’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Peterbilt
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Van |
| Brake System Type | Hydraulic |
| Destination Market | U.S. |
| Displacement (CC) | 2700.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 164.76410905577 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.7 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Model | MB OM647LA (50-State) |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 5 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Diesel |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 2G: 8,001 - 9,000 lb (3,629 - 4,082 kg) |
| Model | Peterbilt |
| Model Year | 2005 |
| Plant City | Duesseldorf |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Series | 2500C/C2500/P2500 |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WD5PD744*55 |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 159.13 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 16 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 16 |
| Sample VIN | WD5PD744155762564 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Peterbilt?
On most Peterbilt vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Peterbilt's history for free?
Enter the Peterbilt’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Peterbilt VIN numbers start with?
Peterbilt VIN's start with WD5 for vehicles manufactured by Daimler Chrysler Ag in Germany. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Peterbilt.
Buying a used Peterbilt?
Decoding the VIN tells you what the car was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened to it since.
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