How to decode a Volvo V40 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Volvo V40 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle and sometimes its type or manufacturing location. Each part of the WMI carries specific information, with the first character indicating the country of origin, the second representing the manufacturer, and the third sometimes specifying the vehicle type or division within the manufacturer. For the Volvo V40, the WMI is YV1, signifying the vehicle was manufactured by Volvo Car Corporation in Sweden. This code is pivotal in ensuring the accurate tracking and registration of vehicles globally, offering a standardized method to identify the vehicle’s manufacturer without ambiguity.

List of WMI Codes for a Volvo V40

WMI: YV1

Model Years Covered: 2000-2004
Example VIN: YV1VW2551YF493145
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 Volvo V40 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 Volvo V40:

Known VDS for a Volvo V40
VW255	VW295	VW275

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 Volvo V40 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 Volvo V40 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
4	2004 Volvo V40
3	2003 Volvo V40
2	2002 Volvo V40
1	2001 Volvo V40
Y	2000 Volvo V40

11th Character in the Volvo V40 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Volvo V40 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
F	Born		Netherlands		YV1VW2551YF493145

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Volvo V40

The final 6 characters in a Volvo V40’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a Volvo V40’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your Volvo V40 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side to locate the Volvo V40 VIN, as it’s often displayed on a small metal plate visible through the glass.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area, where the door latches when closed; the VIN can be found on a sticker or metal plate in that region for the Volvo V40.
Inspect the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or owner’s manual, as the VIN for the Volvo V40 is typically recorded in these documents for identification purposes.
For some models, the Volvo V40 VIN may also be found on the engine block. This requires opening the hood and locating the VIN engraved on the engine itself.

What info can a Volvo V40 VIN reveal?

Model Year and Manufacture: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2003, possibly manufactured in the Netherlands, providing insights into the age and potential origin of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN may provide key specifications, including that the vehicle is possibly a Volvo V40 with a 1.9-liter engine, possibly designed with an In-Line configuration and manufactured by Volvo, showcasing the depth of possible information about the vehicle’s engine and make.
Body Class and Size: A VIN can possibly reveal the vehicle’s body class as a Wagon with 5 doors, possibly offering a clear picture of the vehicle’s design and utility characteristics.
Engine Performance: Specific engine details, such as possibly having a displacement of 1948 CC (or 1.9 L) and an engine horsepower starting from 170 hp, may paint a detailed picture of the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Safety Features: From the VIN, there’s a chance to learn about the vehicle’s possible safety provisions, including front airbags for the driver and passenger and pretensioners, highlighting potential safety considerations in the vehicle’s design.
Fuel Type and Efficiency: The primary fuel type is identified as Gasoline, possibly providing insight into the vehicle’s fuel preferences and potential efficiency.
Transmission and Engine Design: Additional insights into the vehicle’s mechanics can include an Automatic transmission style and a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design, further detailing the possible sophistication of the engine’s operation.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a Volvo V40

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Wagon
Cooling Type	Water
Displacement (CC)	1948
Displacement (CI)	115.94511377999
Displacement (L)	1.9
Doors	5
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
Model	V40
Model Year	2004
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 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	YV1VW275*4F
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	YV1VW27504F046216