Free 1997 Buick Skylark VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Buick Skylark VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Buick Skylark VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-character code that is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 1997 Buick Skylark, the WMI is “1G4”, indicating that it was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. The WMI is an essential tool in automotive identification, enabling the distinction of vehicle make, manufacturer location, and vehicle type. In this case, the Buick Skylark is recognized as a passenger car, reflecting its intended use and design criteria. This level of detail assists in vehicle tracking, registration, and recall processes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Buick Skylark

WMI: 1G4

• Model Years Covered: 1983, 1988-1990, 1992-1998
• Example VIN: 1G4NJ12M9VC405624
• 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 1997 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 1997 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 1997 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 1997 Buick Skylark VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Buick Skylark VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Buick Skylark Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Buick Skylark

The final 6 characters in a 1997 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 1997 Buick Skylark VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle, such as the year 1997.
• Body Class: The VIN can introduce the body type of the vehicle, in this instance revealing it as a Sedan/Saloon, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifics: Information regarding engine details such as its configuration being In-Line, manufacturer LAN, and having four cylinders with a displacement of 2400.0 CC is typically encoded within the VIN, possibly offering insights into the vehicle’s performance and capabilities.
• Fuel System: The type of fuel delivery system, like Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), is decipherable from the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s fuel management technology and potential fuel efficiency.
• Safety Features: Insights into safety equipment, such as the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row, can be identified, offering information about the vehicle’s safety features.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN specifies plant details, pinpointing the manufacturing location with precision, for example, the Plant City as Lansing - South Plant, Plant Country as the United States, and the Plant State being Michigan, providing insights into the vehicle’s origin.
• Vehicle Descriptor and Sample VIN: A section of the VIN, known as the Vehicle Descriptor, and an example VIN (e.g., 1G4NJ52T0VC404103), offer a unique identifier for the vehicle, possibly providing a direct way to access a wide range of specifications and historical data, potentially aiding in identifying the vehicle and accessing detailed information.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Buick Skylark