1988 Buick Century VIN Decoder & Lookup

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Buick Century VIN
List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Buick Century
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1988 Buick Century VIN
Character 9 is the "check digit" in a 1988 Buick Century VIN.
10th Character in the 1988 Buick Century VIN — Year Code
11th Character in the 1988 Buick Century VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1988 Buick Century Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Buick Century
How to find a 1988 Buick Century's VIN?
What info can a 1988 Buick Century VIN reveal?
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Buick Century

How to decode a 1988 Buick Century VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Buick Century 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. In the case of the 1988 Buick Century, its WMI “1G4” signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This code is pivotal for distinguishing the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of manufacture, and even the type of vehicle. For this particular Buick model, it indicates that the vehicle is a passenger car, reflecting its design and intended use. WMIs are essential for regulatory compliance, vehicle registration, and in identifying specific features and specifications of vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Buick Century

WMI: 1G4

Model Years Covered: 1984, 1986-1996
Example VIN: 1G4AL51R7J6418376
Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Warren
State or Province: Michigan
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1988 Buick Century 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 1988 Buick Century:

Known VDS for a 1988 Buick Century
AL51R

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 1988 Buick Century 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 1988 Buick Century VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
J	1988

11th Character in the 1988 Buick Century VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Buick Century Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
6	Oklahoma City	Oklahoma	United States	Oklahoma City Assembly	1G4AL51R7J6418376

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Buick Century

The final 6 characters in a 1988 Buick Century’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Buick Century’s VIN below:

How to find a 1988 Buick Century’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1988 Buick Century is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Buick Century. The VIN is often viewable through the windshield on a small plate.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Buick Century. You might find the VIN on a label or sticker where the door closes.
Look at the frame of the car beneath the hood. The VIN may be stamped onto the chassis of the Buick Century.
Examine your vehicle registration documents or the title, where the VIN of your Buick Century should be listed.
Check for the VIN on the insurance card or policy, as it is usually indicated there for reference regarding your Buick Century.

What info can a 1988 Buick Century VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: The VIN suggests that the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon, indicating the body style and potentially offering hints about the vehicle’s size, passenger capacity, and general use.
Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information is encoded, such as a 2.5L In-Line engine with four cylinders and manufactured by CPC. This can give a clear picture of the vehicle’s power and efficiency.
Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle uses Gasoline with a Throttle Body Fuel Injection system, outlining the fuel type and delivery mechanism which may impact fuel economy and performance.
Safety Features: Though the VIN notes the inclusion of manual seat belts, further safety features might be inferred through the model year and body class.
Manufacturing Information: The Plant City, State, and Country—Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States—and the Plant Company Name provide details about where the vehicle was manufactured, possibly influencing parts availability and recall information.
Vehicle Identification: By looking at the Sample_VIN provided, users gain a tool for verifying the vehicle’s authenticity, its manufacturing details, and specific model characteristics like the trim (Limited), which may indicate the level of luxury or equipment packages.

Don’t have your 1988 Buick Century’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Buick Century

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	2500.0
Displacement (CI)	152.55936023683
Displacement (L)	2.5
Doors	4
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	CPC
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type	Throttle Body Fuel Injection (TBI)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	Century
Model Year	1988
Plant City	Oklahoma City
Plant Company Name	Oklahoma City assembly
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Oklahoma
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Trim	Limited
Vehicle Descriptor	1G4AL51R*J6
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	1G4AL51R7J6418376