How to decode a 1987 Toyota Tercel VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Toyota Tercel VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code composed of three characters that identifies the manufacturer of any given vehicle. This code forms the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is instrumental in providing specific information about the vehicle, including its manufacturing location, vehicle type, and brand. For example, a 1987 Toyota Tercel has a WMI of “JT2”, indicating it was manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan, specifically in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. This historical detail reveals the vehicle as a passenger car, coming from one of the most reputable automotive manufacturers worldwide. Understanding the WMI is essential for vehicle identification, registration, and historical research.
List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Toyota Tercel
WMI: JT2
- Model Years Covered: 1981, 1985, 1987-1999
- Example VIN: JT2EL31G4H0116560
- 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 1987 Toyota Tercel 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 Toyota Tercel:
| Known VDS for a 1987 Toyota Tercel | |
|---|---|
| EL31G | AL35W |
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 Toyota Tercel 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 Toyota Tercel VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| H | 1987 |
11th Character in the 1987 Toyota Tercel VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1987 Toyota Tercel 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 | JT2EL31G4H0116560 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Toyota Tercel
The final 6 characters in a 1987 Toyota Tercel’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1987 Toyota Tercel’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1987 Toyota Tercel is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1987 Toyota Tercel. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small plate just where the dashboard meets the glass.
- Open the driver’s side door to examine the door jamb for your Toyota Tercel. There should be a sticker or plate with the VIN where the door latches when closed.
- Inspect under the hood of your Toyota Tercel; the VIN might be stamped on the engine block, firewall, or on any metal surface within the engine compartment.
- Gently lift the carpet in the rear trunk or cargo area of your 1987 Toyota Tercel. Sometimes the VIN can be found on the chassis beneath the carpet.
- If your Toyota Tercel has its original paperwork, the VIN will also be listed in the vehicle’s manual, title, registration, or insurance papers.
What info can a 1987 Toyota Tercel VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year 1987 for a Toyota Tercel, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, such as “Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback” with 3 doors, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN, for example, a 4x2 configuration, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Engine Details: The VIN provides engine details like a 1.5L displacement, a horsepower range of 78 to 87 hp, engine model (“3E”), and type (“Single Overhead Cam (SOHC)”), providing a comprehensive overview of its performance capabilities.
- Fuel Efficiency and Type: The primary fuel type, such as “Gasoline” can be revealed, offering insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Safety Equipment: Information about safety equipment, for instance, the type of seat belt (“Manual”), can often be discerned, highlighting the vehicle’s adherence to safety standards.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN encodes detailed manufacturing information, including the manufacturing plant’s location (“Toyota City, Aichi, Japan”) and the company name (“Toyota Motor Corporation”), offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s production history.
Don’t have your 1987 Toyota Tercel’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 Toyota Tercel
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Displacement (CC) | 1456 |
| Displacement (CI) | 88.850571401 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.5 |
| Doors | 3 |
| Drive Type | 4x2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 78 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 87 |
| Engine Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Engine Model | 3E |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| 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 | Tercel |
| Model Year | 1987 |
| Plant City | Toyota City |
| Plant Company Name | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Plant Country | Japan |
| Plant State | Aichi |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | Standard |
| Valve Train Design | Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | JT2EL31G*H0 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | JT2EL31G4H0116560 |
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