Free Merkur VIN Decoder

How to decode a Merkur VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Merkur VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. The WMI is globally recognized and provides specific information about where a car is made, its brand, and vehicle type. In the case of a particular WMI (WF1), it denotes vehicles manufactured by Ford Werke AG in Koeln-Niehl, Germany, specifically passenger cars which were produced in the year 1988. This identifier is crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and recall purposes. It ensures that each vehicle can be uniquely traced back to its manufacturer, model, and place of production.

List of WMI Codes for a Merkur

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Merkur 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 Merkur:

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 Merkur 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 Merkur VIN — Year Code

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

Known Merkur Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Merkur

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

What info can a Merkur VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1988, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Engine Type: Detailed engine information encoded within the VIN suggests that it is a Ford Merkur engine with a V-shaped configuration, 6 cylinders, and a displacement of 2.9 liters, possibly producing up to 144 horsepower.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is a Passenger Car, with a specific body class of Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, possibly affecting the vehicle’s design and functionality.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, which could affect its fuel compatibility and possibly its fuel efficiency.
• Safety Features: Information such as active seat belts for all designated seating positions is possibly deducible, hinting at the vehicle’s emphasis on occupant safety.
• Plant Information: Manufacturing details, including that the vehicle was assembled in Cologne, Germany, maybe provide insight into its origin and production quality.
• Vehicle Descriptor: The vehicle descriptor part of the VIN offers a unique identifier that might be used to access specific information regarding the vehicle’s engine model and other specifications, providing a deeper understanding of its design and capabilities.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Merkur