How to decode a 1998 Porsche Boxster VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Porsche Boxster VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an essential component of a vehicle’s identification, encapsulating key details about the vehicle’s origin, including the manufacturer and the type of vehicle. For instance, the WMI “WP0” is designated for Porsche cars, specifically identifying vehicles produced by Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG located in Stuttgart, Germany. This identifier is particularly relevant to passenger cars, such as the 1998 Porsche Boxster. By analyzing the WMI, one can ascertain that this sleek sports car is of German manufacture, produced by one of the most renowned luxury car manufacturers worldwide. The WMI thus serves as a concise summary of the vehicle’s pedigree, underscoring its esteemed lineage and class.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Porsche Boxster

WMI: WP0

Model Years Covered: 1997-2016
Example VIN: WP0CA2980WU620475
Manufacturer Name: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Stuttgart
State or Province: -
Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Porsche Boxster 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 1998 Porsche Boxster:

Known VDS for a 1998 Porsche Boxster
CA298

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 1998 Porsche Boxster 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 1998 Porsche Boxster VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Porsche Boxster VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Porsche Boxster Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
S	Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen		Germany	Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen	WP0CA2982WS620330
U	Uusikaupunki		Finland	Valmet	WP0CA2980WU620475

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Porsche Boxster

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Porsche Boxster’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Porsche Boxster’s VIN below:

How to find a 1998 Porsche Boxster’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Porsche Boxster is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side to find the VIN of your 1998 Porsche Boxster.
Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb area; the VIN can be located on a sticker where the door latches.
Examine the front frame area of your Porsche Boxster, the VIN might be stamped onto the chassis there.
Check under the hood; there is often a VIN plate located on the firewall of your 1998 Porsche Boxster.
Inspect the service or maintenance book. The VIN of your Porsche Boxster is typically recorded on the first page of the vehicle’s service book.

What info can a 1998 Porsche Boxster VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1998, 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 1998 [Make and Model], this may indicate a Convertible/Cabriolet, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and functionality.
Engine Specifications: The VIN may reveal that this vehicle boasts an engine with 6 cylinders and a displacement of 2.5 liters (2500.0 CC or 152.55936023683 CI), alongside an engine brake horsepower starting from 201, possibly highlighting its performance capabilities.
Fuel Type: The VIN may indicate that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, which can be crucial for understanding fuel efficiency and the environmental impact.
Manufacturing Details: Information provided about the plant’s city and country, such as “Produced in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany,” offers a glimpse into the vehicle’s origin and the potential quality standards of the manufacturing location.
Safety Features: Details provided about safety features, such as “Restraint System: Passive,” may suggest the presence of specific safety features in the vehicle, which is vital for assessing its safety level.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The classification under Gross Vehicle Weight Rating from Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg) may provide an insight into the vehicle’s size and weight capacity, important for understanding its handling and usability.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Porsche Boxster

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Displacement (CC)	2500.0
Displacement (CI)	152.55936023683
Displacement (L)	2.5
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	201
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg)
Model	Boxster
Model Year	1998
Other Restraint System Info	Restraint System: Passive
Plant City	Uusikaupunki
Plant Company Name	Valmet
Plant Country	Finland
Vehicle Descriptor	WP0CA298*WU
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WP0CA2980WU620475