Free 1997 Volvo 850 Series VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Volvo 850 Series VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Volvo 850 Series VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of vehicles globally. For the 1997 Volvo 850-series, the WMI is “YV1”, indicating that the Volvo Car Corporation in Sweden manufactured the vehicle. These codes are part of the larger Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which contains detailed information about the vehicle, including its model year, production location, and specific attributes. WMIs are essential for vehicle registration, identification, and regulatory compliance, serving as a vehicle’s “fingerprint” in the automotive industry. For the Volvo 850-series, the WMI ensures that each vehicle is traceably linked to its manufacturer, reinforcing the importance of this coding system in global vehicle tracking and classification.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Volvo 850 Series

WMI: YV1

• Model Years Covered: 1993-1997
• Example VIN: YV1LW5642V2318257
• 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 1997 Volvo 850 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 1997 Volvo 850 Series:

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 1997 Volvo 850 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 1997 Volvo 850 Series VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Volvo 850 Series VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Volvo 850 Series Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Volvo 850 Series

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Volvo 850 Series’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1997 Volvo 850 Series VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it may be from the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN includes details about the manufacturing location, such as the plant city Ghent, and the country Belgium, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin and production.
• Vehicle Specifications: Basic Volvo 850 Series model specifications, including a 2.4L in-line engine with a displacement of 2435 CC and a manufacturing engine model B5254S, are encoded within the VIN, providing details about the vehicle’s basic specifications.
• Body Type and Size: The VIN can unveil the body type as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering insight into the vehicle’s size and style, which can be beneficial for understanding its design and structure.
• Safety Features: Safety features such as front airbags located in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger and the presence of a pretensioner are indicated in the VIN, which suggests the presence of specific safety components in the vehicle.
• Engine Details: Engaging details about the engine are included in the VIN, such as its designation as gasoline fuel type primary, the absence of an EGR system, the incorporation of an air pump, compliance with OBDII standards, electronic control evaporation, and specifics like being Motronic 4.4 with RULo and TLEV specifications, providing insights into the vehicle’s engine and its features.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It categorizes the vehicle within Class 1, identifying it with a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), which can offer insights into the vehicle’s classification and applicable regulations.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Volvo 850 Series