- Characters 1-3 of a Buick Reatta VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Buick Reatta
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Buick Reatta VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Buick Reatta VIN.
- 10th Character in the Buick Reatta VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Buick Reatta VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Buick Reatta Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Buick Reatta
- How to find a Buick Reatta's VIN?
- What info can a Buick Reatta VIN reveal?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Buick Reatta
How to decode a Buick Reatta VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Buick Reatta VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the Buick Reatta, an iconic luxury sports coupe produced between 1988 and 1991, the WMI is 1G4, indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States. While each WMI is specific to a manufacturer and sometimes even to a particular plant location, the 1G4 sequence signifies that the elegant Reatta, with its distinct design and advanced features for its time, falls under the broad umbrella of General Motors’ extensive family of cars. As part of the VIN, the WMI plays a crucial role in tracking recalls, registrations, warranty claims, and thefts, establishing it as an essential mark of automotive identity.
List of WMI Codes for a Buick Reatta
WMI: 1G4
- Model Years Covered: 1988-1991
- Example VIN: 1G4EC11C0JB903133
- 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 Buick Reatta 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 Buick Reatta:
Known VDS for a Buick Reatta | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
EC11C | EC33C | EC13C | EC13L | EC33L |
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 Buick Reatta 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 Buick Reatta VIN — Year Code
Year Code | Year |
---|---|
M | 1991 Buick Reatta |
L | 1990 Buick Reatta |
K | 1989 Buick Reatta |
J | 1988 Buick Reatta |
11th Character in the Buick Reatta VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Buick Reatta Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
B | Baltimore | Maryland | United States | Baltimore Assembly | 1G4EC11C0JB903133 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Buick Reatta
The final 6 characters in a Buick Reatta’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Buick Reatta’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Buick Reatta is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard near the windshield on the driver’s side for the VIN, which may be visible from outside the Buick Reatta.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb or the edge of the door for a label that could contain the VIN for your Buick Reatta.
- Review any documentation related to your vehicle, such as the title, registration, or insurance card, where the VIN of the Buick Reatta is typically listed.
- Inspect the engine bay for a VIN plate or sticker located on the firewall or other components under the hood of your Buick Reatta.
- If applicable, look underneath the spare tire in the trunk, as some vehicles like your Buick Reatta may have the VIN in that location.
- Consult the owner’s manual for your Buick Reatta, as it may provide information on additional locations where the VIN can be found.
- Check the area around the radiator, where there may be a VIN plate attached for easy identification of your Buick Reatta.
What info can a Buick Reatta VIN reveal?
- Make: The VIN can reveal the make of the vehicle, possibly listing as Buick, offering insights into the manufacturer of the vehicle.
- Manufacturer: The VIN may identify the manufacturer of the vehicle, potentially suggesting General Motors LLC, providing details about the company that produced the vehicle.
- Model: The VIN generally provides the model of the vehicle, potentially indicating Reatta, which gives an understanding of the specific model of the vehicle.
- Model Year: The VIN specifies the model year, possibly indicating the year 1991, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Plant City: The VIN indicates the city where the vehicle was manufactured, potentially listing Baltimore, giving an idea of the manufacturing location of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN can indicate the type of vehicle, possibly listing it as a passenger car, offering insights into the categorization of the vehicle.
- Body Class: The VIN may reveal the body style of the vehicle, potentially indicating a coupe, offering insights into the design and structure of the vehicle.
Don’t have your Buick Reatta’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Buick Reatta
Vehicle Spec | Value |
---|---|
Body Class | Convertible/Cabriolet |
Displacement (CC) | 3800.0 |
Displacement (CI) | 231.89022755998 |
Displacement (L) | 3.8 |
Doors | 2 |
Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
Engine Manufacturer | BOCF |
Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
Front Air Bag Locations | Driver Seat Only |
Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
Model | Reatta |
Model Year | 1991 |
Plant City | Baltimore |
Plant Company Name | Baltimore assembly |
Plant Country | United States |
Plant State | Maryland |
Seat Belt Type | Manual |
Vehicle Descriptor | 1G4EC33L*MB |
Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
Sample_VIN | 1G4EC33L0MB900536 |
Decode a Buick VIN
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