How to decode a 1998 Toyota RAV4 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Toyota RAV4 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of vehicles globally. Each WMI is a sequence found at the beginning of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing specific information about the vehicle, including the manufacturer name, vehicle type, and the production location. For the 1998 Toyota RAV4, the WMI is “JT3,” indicating it was manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan, specifically in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. This vehicle is categorized as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), illustrating the versatility and functionality Toyota aimed to achieve with this model. The WMI is essential for identifying vehicles accurately and is recognized worldwide for this purpose.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Toyota RAV4

WMI: JT3

Model Years Covered: 1996-2000, 2002
Example VIN: JT3HP10V0W0157735
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Toyota City
State or Province: Aichi Prefecture
Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Toyota RAV4 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 RAV4:

Known VDS for a 1998 Toyota RAV4
HP10V	GP10V	XP10V	YP10V

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 RAV4 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 RAV4 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Toyota RAV4 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Toyota RAV4 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
0	Toyota City	Aichi	Japan	Toyota Motor Corporation-Motomachi Plant	JT3HP10V0W0157735
7	Tahara	Aichi	Japan	Toyota Motor Corporation	JT3GP10V0W7026355

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Toyota RAV4

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Toyota RAV4’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Toyota RAV4’s VIN below:

How to find a 1998 Toyota RAV4’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Toyota RAV4 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1998 Toyota RAV4. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield on the lower corner where the dashboard meets the glass.
Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb area. Your Toyota RAV4’s VIN should be on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
Inspect the engine bay. The VIN can also be stamped on the firewall within the engine compartment of your RAV4.
Look beneath the spare tire. Sometimes, the VIN is located in the area where the spare tire is stored in a Toyota RAV4.
Examine the vehicle registration or insurance documents. These will always contain the VIN for your 1998 Toyota RAV4.

What info can a 1998 Toyota RAV4 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle’s model year is 1998, providing an immediate understanding of the car’s age.
Engine Details: The vehicle is possibly powered by a 2.0 Liter (1998 CC/122.047 CI) Toyota 3S-FE engine with an In-Line configuration, four cylinders, and a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design, possibly indicating its technical specifications and performance capabilities.
Fuel Type: It may utilize gasoline as its primary fuel source, offering potential insights into fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Drive Type and Doors: The vehicle possibly features a 4x2 drive type and may come with 4 doors, which may provide information about its drivetrain and accessibility.
Body Class and Size: It might be classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), suggesting a versatile design suitable for various driving conditions and spaciousness for passengers or cargo.
Manufacturing Information: The vehicle may have been assembled in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan, by Toyota Motor Corporation - Motomachi Plant, possibly revealing the vehicle’s origin and indicating manufacturing standards.
Vehicle Series and Style: It could be from the series SXA16L/SXA11L/SXA15L/SXA10L with an additional designation as a Wagon body style, offering a potential understanding of the vehicle’s specific model variations and design.

Don’t have your 1998 Toyota RAV4’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Toyota RAV4

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	1998
Displacement (CI)	122.04748818946
Displacement (L)	2.0
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Brake (hp) From	120
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Toyota
Engine Model	3S-FE
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Engine Stroke Cycles	4
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1B: 3,001 - 4,000 lb (1,360 - 1,814 kg)
Model	RAV4
Model Year	1998
Plant City	Tahara
Plant Company Name	Toyota Motor Corporation
Plant Country	Japan
Plant State	Aichi
Series	SXA16L/SXA11L/SXA15L/SXA10L
Series2	Wagon body style
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	JT3GP10V*W7
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	JT3GP10V0W7026355