Free 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences that identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. For the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, the WMI codes like “1G1”, “3G1”, and “4G1” denote General Motors LLC as the manufacturer. These codes, which are the first three characters in a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), provide specific information including the country of manufacturing and the vehicle type. For instance, the “1G1” and “3G1” WMIs indicate the Chevrolet Cavalier was produced in the United States by General Motors, focusing on passenger cars. Thus, the WMI serves as a crucial tool in identifying key vehicle attributes directly from its VIN.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier

WMI: 1G1

• Model Years Covered: 1983-1989, 1991-2005
• Example VIN: 1G1JF12T9T7213128
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 3G1

• Model Years Covered: 1996-2004
• Example VIN: 3G1JC1242TS900969
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 4G1

• Model Years Covered: 1996-2000
• Example VIN: 4G1JF32T7TB101130
• 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 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 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 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier:

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 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier 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 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier

The final 6 characters in a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Chevrolet Cavalier’s VIN below:

What info can a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being around 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. In the case of this vehicle, it might indicate a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Type and Specifications: The VIN may provide detailed information such as engine configuration (In-Line), displacement (2.2L or 2200CC/133.6CI), and number of cylinders (4), alongside the engine model (LN2), possibly offering an understanding of the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
• Fuel System and Type: The VIN might provide insights into the vehicle’s fuel system, such as Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), and the principal fuel type, which in this case may be Gasoline, contributing to an understanding of the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: Standard safety features like front airbag locations (1st Row for both Driver and Passenger) are often included, potentially offering insights into the vehicle’s safety standards.
• Manufacturing Details: Manufacturing details such as the plant’s location where the vehicle was assembled (Lordstown, Ohio, United States) may be included, which could contribute to understanding its history and origin.
• Vehicle Identification: Specific identifiers, including the make (model name like Cavalier), series (Cavalier Sedan), and even a sample VIN (1G1JF5248T7125106) might be embedded, providing a unique fingerprint for the vehicle.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier

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