How to decode a 2003 Volvo S40 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Volvo S40 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing insights into where and by whom a vehicle was produced. For the 2003 Volvo S40, the WMI code is “YV1,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by Volvo Car Corporation in Sweden, specifically targeting passenger car classification. This prefix is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which serves as a unique identifier for each vehicle, encapsulating essential manufacturing details. For Volvo vehicles produced between 2000 and 2011 falling under the WMI “YV1,” it suggests a consistency in manufacturing location and company, cementing Volvo’s heritage in Sweden. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI can offer valuable information about its origin, quality, and specifications, beneficial for buyers, sellers, and automotive enthusiasts.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Volvo S40

WMI: YV1

Model Years Covered: 2000-2011
Example VIN: YV1VS29503F928011
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 2003 Volvo S40 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 2003 Volvo S40:

Known VDS for a 2003 Volvo S40
VS295	VS275

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 2003 Volvo S40 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 2003 Volvo S40 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

11th Character in the 2003 Volvo S40 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Volvo S40 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
F	Born		Netherlands		YV1VS29503F928011

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Volvo S40

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Volvo S40’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Volvo S40’s VIN below:

How to find a 2003 Volvo S40’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 Volvo S40 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Volvo S40. You should be able to see the VIN through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plate attached to the dashboard.
Look at the door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on the driver’s side, as your Volvo S40 often has a VIN sticker in that location.
Check under the hood of your Volvo S40 where the engine block meets the windshield. The VIN may be stamped on a plate in this area.
Inspect the trunk area. Sometimes, for cars like the Volvo S40, the VIN can be found on the floor or below the spare tire.
If your Volvo S40 has undergone insurance inspections, check your insurance paperwork as the VIN will be recorded there.

What info can a 2003 Volvo S40 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2003, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: Specific details about the Volvo S40’s 1.9L displacement and in-line engine configuration could possibly be encoded within the VIN, offering valuable insights into its performance and design.
Body Type and Size: The VIN may indicate that the Volvo S40 is a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, giving some indication of its general size and style.
Engine Power and Manufacturer: The VIN might contain information about the engine, possibly indicating a brake horsepower starting from 170 hp and that it’s manufactured by Volvo.
Fuel Efficiency and Type: It’s possible that the VIN may provide details about the fuel type, such as Gasoline, which could be critical for understanding the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: The VIN might offer insights into the presence of safety features, possibly indicating that the vehicle comes with front airbags for both the driver and passenger, as well as a pretensioner system.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN can possibly pinpoint manufacturing specifics like the plant city (Born) and the country (Netherlands), offering insights into the vehicle’s origin and potentially its quality.

Don’t have your 2003 Volvo S40’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Volvo S40

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Cooling Type	Water
Displacement (CC)	1948
Displacement (CI)	115.94511377999
Displacement (L)	1.9
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	170
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Volvo
Engine Model	B4204T4
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	S40
Model Year	2003
Other Engine Info	w/o Exhaust Gas Re-circulation (EGR) System, w/o Air Pump, OBDII, Variable Valve Timing Exhaust, separate close-coupled Catalyst plus under-floor Catalyst, Siemens - Engine Management System (EMS), Running Loss System (RuLo, Evap. System), Onboard Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR)
Other Restraint System Info	Dual Airbags (SRS)
Plant City	Born
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Netherlands
Pretensioner	Yes
Transmission Style	Automatic
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	YV1VS275*3F
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	YV1VS27503F957527