- Characters 1-3 of a Buick Riviera VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Buick Riviera
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Buick Riviera VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Buick Riviera VIN.
- 10th Character in the Buick Riviera VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Buick Riviera VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Buick Riviera Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Buick Riviera
- How to find a Buick Riviera's VIN?
- What info can a Buick Riviera VIN reveal?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Buick Riviera
How to decode a Buick Riviera VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Buick Riviera VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier, commonly known as the WMI, is a unique three-letter code that forms the beginning of every Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle, as well as the country and region of its production. For the Buick Riviera, the WMI is 1G4, indicating that General Motors LLC in the United States is the manufacturer. Specifically, this WMI tells us that the vehicle is a passenger car produced by GM’s Buick division. The presence of 1G4 at the start of the Riviera’s VIN assures you that your vehicle is genuine and provides a key reference for identifying the vehicle and accessing its history and specifications.
List of WMI Codes for a Buick Riviera
WMI: 1G4
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1985, 1987, 1989-1993, 1995-1999
- Example VIN: 1G4AZ57N0BE431643
- 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 Riviera 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 Riviera:
| Known VDS for a Buick Riviera | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ57N | AZ57Y | AZ574 | AZ67Y | AY578 | AY579 | AZ674 | EZ57Y | EZ679 | EZ67Y |
| EY579 | EZ113 | EZ11C | EZ13C | EZ13L | GD121 | GD221 | GD22K | ||
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 Riviera 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 Riviera VIN — Year Code
11th Character in the Buick Riviera VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Buick Riviera Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Orion | Michigan | United States | Na-Gm Corp | 1G4GD1216S4700529 |
| E | Linden | New Jersey | United States | 1G4AZ57N0BE431643 | |
| U | Hamtramck | Michigan | United States | Na-Clcd | 1G4EZ1138HU412838 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Buick Riviera
The final 6 characters in a Buick Riviera’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 Riviera’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Buick Riviera is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the driver’s side dashboard of your Buick Riviera, which typically can be seen by peering through the windshield.
- Examine the driver’s side door post of your Buick Riviera; when you open the door, you might find the VIN on a sticker or a plate on the area where the door latches.
- Check your Buick Riviera’s engine block; the VIN is often stamped onto a part of the engine.
- Review your Buick Riviera’s vehicle registration documents or insurance papers, which always list the VIN along with other important details.
- Inspect the rear wheel well above the tire; in some models, the VIN may be found in this location.
- Look beneath the spare tire in the trunk area of your Buick Riviera; sometimes the VIN is placed there.
- Examine the vehicle’s firewall within the engine bay; the VIN might be stamped onto a metal plate in this region.
What info can a Buick Riviera VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it could be a 1999 Buick Riviera, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN provides information about the manufacturing location of the Buick Riviera, including the plant city and state, giving a glimpse into where the vehicle was assembled.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN indicates that the Buick Riviera is classified as a passenger car, offering insight into its intended use.
- Body Class: The VIN specifies that the Buick Riviera is a coupe, giving details about its body style and design.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN includes details about the engine of the Buick Riviera, such as the number of cylinders, displacement, and fuel injection type, providing some insights into its performance and powertrain characteristics.
Don’t have your Buick Riviera’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Buick Riviera
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 3800.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 231.89022755998 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.8 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | FLT |
| Engine Model | L67 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Model | Riviera |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| Other Engine Info | Name Plate: Pont, Olds, Buick |
| Plant City | Orion |
| Plant Company Name | NA-GM Corp |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Michigan |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1G4GD221*T4 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1G4GD2210T4711842 |
Decode a Buick VIN
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