Free 1988 Buick Skylark VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Buick Skylark VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Buick Skylark VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit sequence that forms the first section of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), indicating the manufacturer of the vehicle and providing insights about the vehicle itself, such as its country of origin, vehicle type, and manufacturing division. Specifically, for the 1988 Buick Skylark, the WMI is “1G4”, signifying that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States. This particular code is designated for passenger cars produced by the automaker, and it hints at the vehicle’s assembly in Warren, Michigan. WMIs are integral for vehicle identification, allowing for easy recognition and distinction of vehicles on a global scale. This coding system is essential for a wide range of automotive and legal purposes, including registration, titling, and theft prevention.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Buick Skylark

WMI: 1G4

• Model Years Covered: 1983, 1988-1990, 1992-1998
• Example VIN: 1G4NJ14U8JM000968
• 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 Skylark 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 Skylark:

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 Skylark 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 Skylark VIN — Year Code

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

Known 1988 Buick Skylark Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Buick Skylark

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

Check your Buick Skylark’s VIN below:

What info can a 1988 Buick Skylark VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it is likely a 1988 model, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is classified as a Passenger Car with a Coupe body style, suggesting its design and general use case.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN provides details such as a 2.5-liter engine displacement, In-Line engine configuration, and a throttle body fuel injection system, which can illustrate the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, which gives an idea of fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN contains manufacturing details, pinpointing the production to the Lansing - North Plant in Michigan, United States, underlining the vehicle’s origin and possibly its quality.
• Safety Features: Indications of an automatic seat belt type suggest the level of safety features implemented in the vehicle, which is important for assessing its security standards.
• Trim and Customization: The VIN specifies the trim level as Custom, which might hint at unique or additional features beyond the standard configuration for the Skylark model, suggesting a level of luxury or additional comfort.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Buick Skylark