Free 2008 Chevrolet Malibu VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that forms the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving to identify the manufacturer, country of assembly, and vehicle type. For instance, Chevrolet Malibus manufactured in 2008 have a WMI of “1G1,” indicating they were produced by General Motors LLC in the United States, specifically in Michigan. This code systematically classifies the vehicle as a passenger car, providing essential information at a glance about its origin, the vehicle type, and the company responsible for its manufacture. The WMI is crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and recall processes, ensuring each vehicle is uniquely traceable back to its manufacturer. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI offers valuable insights into its manufacturing background and specifications.

List of WMI Codes for a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu

WMI: 1G1

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 1997-2024
• Example VIN: 1G1ZS58N08F102141
• 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 2008 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 2008 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 2008 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 2008 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu

The final 6 characters in a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, being the year 2008, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class: The VIN provides insight into the vehicle’s body class, listed as Sedan/Saloon, offering clues about its design, interior space, and possibly its target audience.
• Engine Type: Details such as the engine being a 3.6L, V-Shaped configuration with six cylinders, and manufactured by GM, are encoded, offering insights into performance and possible fuel efficiency.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is Gasoline, an essential detail for understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact and fuel consumption patterns.
• Safety Features: The VIN indicates locations of airbags including curtain airbags in the 1st row (driver and passenger), front airbags in the 1st row, and side airbags, highlighting the vehicle’s safety features and occupant protection systems.
• Manufacturing Location: The planting city is identified as Orion, in Michigan, United States, underlining the vehicle’s manufacturing origin which can impact parts availability and recall information.
• Additional Features: The VIN reveals the vehicle employs Sequential Fuel Injection (SFI) for fuel delivery, indicating a more efficient and precise control of the fuel mixture, and it has a manual seat belt type, offering insights into the vehicle’s safety and technological attributes.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 Chevrolet Malibu

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