How to decode a 1988 Saab 900 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Saab 900 VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. It constitutes the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which serves as a global standard for identifying motor vehicles. The WMI for the 1988 Saab 900 is YS3, indicating that it was produced by Saab Cars North America, Inc., located in Royal Oak, Michigan, United States. This code is specific to this manufacturer and location, and it classifies the vehicle as a passenger car. Understanding the WMI is essential for correctly identifying the origin and characteristics of the vehicle.
List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Saab 900
WMI: YS3
- Model Years Covered: 1985-1998
- Example VIN: YS3AT35L2J3014068
- 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 1988 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 1988 Saab 900:
| Known VDS for a 1988 Saab 900 | ||
|---|---|---|
| AT35L | AT76L | AT75L |
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 1988 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 1988 Saab 900 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 1988 |
11th Character in the 1988 Saab 900 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1988 Saab 900 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Arlov | Scania | Sweden | YS3AT35L2J3014068 | |
| 7 | Nystad | Finland | YS3AT76L3J7030388 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Saab 900
The final 6 characters in a 1988 Saab 900’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Saab 900’s VIN below:
How to find a 1988 Saab 900’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1988 Saab 900 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Saab 900 near where the dashboard meets the windshield, which can be seen from outside the vehicle.
- Inspect the driver’s side door pillar on your 1988 Saab 900. When you open the door, check the area where the door latches to the body to find a sticker with the VIN.
- Examine the engine block in your Saab 900, as the VIN can often be found stamped on the engine itself.
- Check the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or title, as the VIN for your 1988 Saab 900 will be listed there.
What info can a 1988 Saab 900 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Body: It specifies that the vehicle is a Passenger Car with a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback body, offering insights into the car’s functionality and design.
- Engine Specifications: The vehicle is equipped with a 2.0 Liter Intercooled Engine with a Turbo, indicating its potential performance capabilities and power output.
- Transmission Details: It is equipped with a Manual/Standard Transmission with 5 speeds, offering clues to the vehicle’s operational style and level of driver engagement.
- Manufacturing Information: The car was manufactured in Arlov, Scania, Sweden, which could offer insights into the manufacturing standards and regional design influences of the time.
- Safety Features: The inclusion of a Manual Seat Belt Type hints at the safety features and regulations adhered to during the vehicle’s production year.
- Unique Identification: The VIN provides a unique vehicle descriptor (YS3AT35L*J3), which can be essential for identifying specific information about the vehicle’s manufacture and model specifications.
Don’t have your 1988 Saab 900’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Saab 900
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Displacement (CC) | 2000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 122.04748818946 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.0 |
| Doors | 3 |
| Engine Model | Intercooled Engine |
| Model | 900 |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Plant City | Arlov |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Sweden |
| Plant State | Scania |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Turbo |
| Transmission Speeds | 5 |
| Transmission Style | Manual/Standard |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Vehicle Descriptor | YS3AT35L*J3 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | YS3AT35L2J3014068 |
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