Free Buick Regal VIN Decoder

How to decode a Buick Regal VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Buick Regal VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-digit code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer and forms the first part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For the Buick Regal, a luxurious and sophisticated model from General Motors, the WMI can vary depending on the year and place of manufacture. For instance, early models from 1981 to 1987 begin with the WMI ‘1G4’, indicating that they were manufactured in the United States. Later models, from 1988 to 2004 and 2011 to 2017, often start with ‘2G4’, still signifying production by General Motors in the United States. For certain Buick Regal models produced between 2011 and 2020, the WMI ‘W04’ reveals that they were assembled in Germany by Adam Opel AG, reflecting a global partnership within the automotive industry. The WMI is essential for identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and vehicle type, providing key information about the Regal’s heritage and fabrication.

List of WMI Codes for a Buick Regal

WMI: 1G4

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1987
• Example VIN: 1G4AM47A1BK157215
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 2G4

• Model Years Covered: 1988-2004, 2011-2017
• Example VIN: 2G4WB14W9J1493106
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: W04

• Model Years Covered: 2011, 2018-2020
• Example VIN: W04GY5GV0B1048000
• Manufacturer Name: Adam Opel AG
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Russelsheim
• State or Province:
• Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Buick Regal VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the most popular vehicle descriptor codes for a 2024 Buick Regal:

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 Regal 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 Regal VIN — Year Code

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

Known Buick Regal Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Buick Regal

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

What info can a Buick Regal VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the model year of the Buick Regal, possibly indicating the year 2019, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturer Name: The VIN indicates the manufacturer of the Buick Regal, suggesting it is possibly produced by General Motors LLC, which may provide confirmation of its origin.
• Plant City: The VIN specifies the plant city where the Buick Regal was possibly assembled, offering some insight into its production location, potentially aiding in understanding its manufacturing history.
• Vehicle Type: The VIN categorizes the Buick Regal as a passenger car, possibly indicating its intended use and market segment, potentially aiding in understanding its intended purpose.
• Body Class: The VIN possibly encodes the body class of the Buick Regal, revealing whether it is a sedan, coupe, or another body style, providing potential insights into its design and structure.
• Displacement (CC): The VIN may provide the displacement of the Buick Regal’s engine in cubic centimeters, offering potential information about its power and performance capabilities, aiding in understanding its potential performance.
• Fuel Type - Primary: The VIN possibly indicates the primary fuel type for the Buick Regal, offering some insight into its fuel efficiency and environmental impact.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Buick Regal