Free 2018 Chevrolet Malibu VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter or digit codes assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). These codes are the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu, the WMI is “1G1,” indicating it was manufactured by General Motors LLC in the United States. Specifically, this code points to a passenger car originating from Warren, Michigan. The WMI is a critical component of the VIN, helping to trace the vehicle’s origin and authenticity.

List of WMI Codes for a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

WMI: 1G1

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 1997-2024
• Example VIN: 1G1ZB5ST0JF100371
• 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 2018 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 2018 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 2018 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 2018 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2018 Chevrolet Malibu VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2018 Chevrolet Malibu Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

The final 6 characters in a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Chevrolet Malibu’s VIN below:

What info can a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2018, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Engine Type: The VIN can encode detailed information about the engine, such as whether it’s a GMNA LFV model with direct injection, variable valve timing, and a displacement of 1.5 liters.
• Safety Features: The VIN may indicate standard safety components like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Automatic Crash Notification (ACN), along with possible optional features such as Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) and Blind Spot Warning (BSW).
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is specified as Gasoline, which, along with the engine’s specifics, can give insight into its fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Body Type and Capacity: It specifies the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon, with details on the number of doors (4), seat rows (2), and total seating capacity (5), offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s size and passenger capacity.
• Drive Type and Transmission: The VIN specifies the vehicle as having a Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) system and an automatic transmission with 6 speeds, hinting at its drivetrain characteristics and performance.
• Manufacturing Details: Information about the manufacturing, such as the assembly plant located in Kansas City, United States by the Fairfax Assembly company, points to the origin and build quality of the vehicle.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu

Source