Free 2021 Buick Encore VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2021 Buick Encore VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2021 Buick Encore VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial trio of characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For instance, Buick Encore vehicles produced between 2013 and 2022 have the WMI “KL4,” indicating General Motors LLC as the manufacturer. These specific vehicles are classified as Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPV), reflecting their versatile use. The production of these models is primarily based in Warren, Michigan, United States, further emphasizing the localized manufacturing aspect encoded within the VIN’s WMI segment. This WMI information is crucial for identifying vehicle specifications, origins, and compliance with regulations.

List of WMI Codes for a 2021 Buick Encore

WMI: KL4

• Model Years Covered: 2013-2022
• Example VIN: KL4CJ3SB0MB304931
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2021 Buick Encore 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 2021 Buick Encore:

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 2021 Buick Encore 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 2021 Buick Encore VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2021 Buick Encore VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2021 Buick Encore Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2021 Buick Encore

The final 6 characters in a 2021 Buick Encore’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Buick Encore’s VIN below:

What info can a 2021 Buick Encore VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2021, providing insights into the age and potential technological advancements of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Type: The VIN details the body class, indicating whether the vehicle is designed for specific purposes, such as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), which affects passenger and cargo capacity.
• Engine Specifications: Specific engine details, including displacement in liters (1.4L) and the engine model (LUV - MFI, VVT, ALUM, GME E85 MAX), are typically encoded within the VIN. This information is crucial for understanding vehicle performance and compatibility with fuel types.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: The VIN can specify the primary and secondary fuel types a vehicle is designed to use, in this example, Gasoline and Ethanol (E85). This information is vital for assessing fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: The presence of standard and optional safety features, such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Blind Spot Warning (BSW), can be discerned from the VIN. This gives insights into the vehicle’s safety preparedness and technological sophistication.
• Drive Type and Transmission: Details regarding the drive type, for example, AWD/All-Wheel Drive, and other drivetrain characteristics like the brake system type (Hydraulic), are indicative of the vehicle’s handling capabilities.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN provides manufacturing details, including the plant city (Bupyeong) and country (South Korea), which can be useful for understanding potential manufacturing quality and import/export factors.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2021 Buick Encore