Free 1987 Saab 900 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1987 Saab 900 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Saab 900 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code that identifies the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. It is the first section of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides detailed information about the vehicle, including its make, year, and place of manufacture. For instance, Saab 900 vehicles manufactured in 1987 for the North American market have a WMI of “YS3.” This indicates that they were produced by Saab Cars North America, Inc., based in Royal Oak, Michigan, United States. The WMI is fundamental in vehicle tracking, registration, and recall processes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Saab 900

WMI: YS3

• Model Years Covered: 1985-1998
• Example VIN: YS3AT35L8H7036434
• Manufacturer Name: Saab Cars North America, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Royal Oak
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1987 Saab 900 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 1987 Saab 900:

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 1987 Saab 900 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 1987 Saab 900 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1987 Saab 900 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1987 Saab 900 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Saab 900

The final 6 characters in a 1987 Saab 900’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1987 Saab 900 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can indicate that the vehicle’s model year might be 1987, possibly offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Location: Based on the VIN, it may seem that the vehicle was manufactured in Arlov, Sweden, showcasing a clear geographical origin.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN reveals the make and model as a 900 Turbo, which could specify both the model and its turbocharged feature.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN suggests details about the engine, potentially indicating it as an intercooled engine with a displacement of 2.0 liters (2000 CC or 122.047 CI).
• Transmission Details: It might be the case that the vehicle features a manual/standard transmission with 5 speeds, possibly indicating the type and efficiency of its gearbox.
• Body Class and Size: The VIN could potentially decipher that the body type is a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 3 doors, providing insight into its design and utility.
• Safety Features: The VIN specifies a manual seat belt type, possibly giving an indication of the safety provisions that were standard at the time of manufacture.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Saab 900

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