Free 1998 Chevrolet Malibu VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an international code designated to uniquely identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. The WMI is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides specific information about the vehicle, including its place of manufacture, vehicle type, and the brand. For the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, the WMI is “1G1,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Warren, Michigan. This identifier signifies that the vehicle is a passenger car, showcasing the global system’s capacity to offer detailed insights into a vehicle’s origins and specifications. Understanding a car’s WMI offers valuable information for identifying, registering, and maintaining the vehicle.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu

WMI: 1G1

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 1997-2024
• Example VIN: 1G1NE52M0WY171791
• 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 1998 Chevrolet Malibu 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 1998 Chevrolet Malibu:

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 1998 Chevrolet Malibu 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 1998 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Chevrolet Malibu Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class of the vehicle, for example, indicating a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors and 4 windows, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Type: Key engine details such as a V-shaped engine configuration, 3.1 liters displacement, and an engine with 6 cylinders manufactured by FLT are encoded within the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’‘’s power and performance capabilities.
• Fuel System: The type of fuel delivery system, such as Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), is specified, hinting at the vehicle’s potential fuel efficiency and engine performance.
• Safety Features: The VIN can reveal safety features, including the locations of airbags, with this example having front airbags in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, potentially indicating a level of safety for the vehicle’s occupants.
• Manufacturing Information: It provides insight into the vehicle’s production location, including the city (Wilmington), the plant company name (Wilmington Assembly), and the country (United States), offering details about the vehicle’s origin and manufacturing history.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN describes the vehicle’s weight class, specifying it falls within Class 1: 6,000 lb or less, which provides insights into the vehicle’s size and potential usage limitations.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu