How to decode a 1998 Toyota Celica VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Toyota Celica VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a vehicle’s unique identification number, also known as the VIN, which signifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and other attributes. For instance, the 1998 Toyota Celica, a passenger car produced by Toyota Motor Corporation, is designated by the WMI codes JT5 and JT2. These codes specify that the vehicle was manufactured by Toyota in Toyota City, located in the Aichi Prefecture of Japan. WMIs are crucial for identifying vehicles accurately and are used globally to track recalls, registrations, and vehicle history. For the 1998 Toyota Celica, these identifiers not only connect the vehicle to its manufacturer but also highlight its Japanese origin and production location.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Toyota Celica

WMI: JT5

Model Years Covered: 1988, 1991-1993, 1995-1999
Example VIN: JT5FG02T0W0049684
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Toyota City
State or Province: Aichi Prefecture
Country: Japan WMI: JT2
Model Years Covered: 1981, 1983-1998
Example VIN: JT2DG02T9W0051776
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Toyota City
State or Province: Aichi Prefecture
Country: Japan

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

Known VDS for a 1998 Toyota Celica
FG02T	DG02T

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 Toyota Celica 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 Toyota Celica VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Toyota Celica VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Toyota Celica Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
0	Tahara	Aichi	Japan	Toyota Motor Corporation	JT5FG02T0W0049684

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Toyota Celica

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

Check your Toyota Celica’s VIN below:

How to find a 1998 Toyota Celica’s VIN?

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

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1998 Toyota Celica. The VIN is usually visible through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Toyota Celica. The VIN can often be found on a label or sticker where the door latches when closed.
Look at the frame of the car underneath the hood. The VIN may be stamped onto the chassis of the Toyota Celica.
Examine the area around the engine block. On your 1998 Toyota Celica, the VIN might also be stamped on a metal part of the engine.
Check your vehicle documents such as the title, registration, or insurance papers for the VIN of your Toyota Celica, as these documents always contain that information.

What info can a 1998 Toyota Celica VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, being the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: The engine is identified as a 2.2L 4-cylinder (5S-FE model) with an in-line configuration, produced by Toyota. This gives detailed information about the vehicle’s powertrain, including displacement and engine type that impacts performance and fuel efficiency.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN specifies the vehicle as a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 3 doors, giving a clear picture of the car’s body style and practicality in terms of passenger access and cargo space.
Drive Type and Fuel Efficiency: It specifies the drive type as 4x2 and uses gasoline, which can influence the car’s performance on different terrains and its fuel efficiency.
Safety Features: The VIN notes the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the first row, highlighting key safety features that can protect occupants in the event of a collision.
Manufacturing Information: The vehicle was manufactured in Tahara, Aichi, Japan by Toyota Motor Corporation, which could give an indication of the build quality and reliability based on the manufacturer’s reputation.
Vehicle Type: This VIN identifies the vehicle as a passenger car, helping to clarify its intended use and possibly its insurance classification.

Don’t have your 1998 Toyota Celica’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Toyota Celica

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Displacement (CC)	2164
Displacement (CI)	132.1
Displacement (L)	2.2
Doors	3
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Brake (hp) From	133
Engine Brake (hp) To	138
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Toyota
Engine Model	5S-FE
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
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	Celica
Model Year	1998
Plant City	Tahara
Plant Company Name	Toyota Motor Corporation
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Aichi
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	AT200L/ST204L
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JT2DG02T*W0
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	JT2DG02T9W0051776