How to decode a 1981 Volvo 240 Series VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Volvo 240 Series VIN
WMIs, or World Manufacturer Identifiers, are unique sequences of characters assigned to every vehicle manufacturer for identification purposes. Specifically, for the 1981 Volvo 240-series, the WMI is “YV1,” which signifies vehicles produced by Volvo Car Corporation in Sweden. This code forms the initial part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing crucial information about the vehicle’s manufacturer. In this context, the WMI “YV1” indicates a passenger car manufactured by Volvo, reflecting the company’s heritage and manufacturing location. This system assists in tracking vehicles globally, ensuring each one has a unique identifier for registration, recall, and warranty purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Volvo 240 Series
WMI: YV1
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1993
- Example VIN: YV1AX4546B1626971
- Manufacturer Name: Volvo Car Corporation
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City:
- State or Province:
- Country: Sweden
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1981 Volvo 240 Series 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 1981 Volvo 240 Series:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Volvo 240 Series |
|---|
| AX454 |
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 1981 Volvo 240 Series 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 1981 Volvo 240 Series VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Volvo 240 Series VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Volvo 240 Series Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gothenburg | Vastergotland | Sweden | YV1AX4546B1626971 | |
| 3 | Halifax | Canada | YV1AX4545B3674384 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Volvo 240 Series
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Volvo 240 Series’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Volvo 240 Series’s VIN below:
How to find a 1981 Volvo 240 Series’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Volvo 240 Series is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Volvo 240-Series, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN can typically be seen from outside the vehicle through the lower corner of the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). It’s common for the VIN to be located on a sticker or a metal plate in this area.
- Check under the hood of your Volvo 240-Series for a metal plate that might contain the VIN. This could be on the firewall of the engine compartment or on other elements like the fenders.
- Look in the rear wheel well. Sometimes the VIN is stamped above the tire on the inside.
- Examine the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or title, which should note the VIN, if you are unable to locate it on the car itself.
- If all else fails, contact a Volvo dealership or the customer service of Volvo Cars with your car’s details, and they can assist you in finding the exact location of the VIN for your specific 1981 Volvo 240-Series model.
What info can a 1981 Volvo 240 Series VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1981, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN may provide details such as being assembled in Gothenburg, Vastergotland, Sweden, giving a glimpse into its production origins.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN encodes basic details like the make as a 240 Series model, engine model B21F, and body class as Sedan/Saloon, offering a sneak peek into the vehicle’s build and design.
- Safety Features: Elements such as the safety belt configuration are identified, indicating the presence of a manual 3-point seat belt system, contributing to safety insights.
- Engine Details: Indicators of engine specifications, such as the Bosch Ignition System, can provide insights into the vehicle’s mechanical and performance characteristics, potentially shedding light on its power and efficiency.
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN clarifies the vehicle’s weight class, falling under Class 1 with a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), offering insights into its load-bearing capacity.
- Vehicle Type: The general type of vehicle, such as a Passenger Car, is highlighted, offering a high-level view of its intended use and design.
Don’t have your 1981 Volvo 240 Series’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Volvo 240 Series
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Model | B21F |
| 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 | 240 Series |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Other Engine Info | Bosch Ignition System |
| Other Restraint System Info | 3-Point Seat Belt |
| Plant City | Gothenburg |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Sweden |
| Plant State | Vastergotland |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | YV1AX454*B1 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | YV1AX4546B1626971 |
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