Free Chevrolet Nova VIN Decoder

How to decode a Chevrolet Nova VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Chevrolet Nova VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code assigned to automotive manufacturers to distinguish their vehicles in terms of make, type, and manufacturing location. This identifier is the first section of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in tracing a vehicle’s history, specs, and originality. For instance, vehicles manufactured by New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. in Fremont, California, United States, for model years 1986 to 1988 are designated with the WMI 1Y1. This WMI pertains specifically to passenger cars, encompassing models like the Chevrolet Nova. Understanding a WMI is crucial for car enthusiasts, buyers, and sellers to verify the authenticity and history of a vehicle.

List of WMI Codes for a Chevrolet Nova

WMI: 1Y1

• Model Years Covered: 1986-1988
• Example VIN: 1Y1SK1943GZ232026
• Manufacturer Name: New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Fremont
• State or Province: California
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Chevrolet Nova 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 Chevrolet Nova:

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 Chevrolet Nova 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 Chevrolet Nova VIN — Year Code

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

Known Chevrolet Nova Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Chevrolet Nova

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

What info can a Chevrolet Nova VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating a manufacturing year around 1988, offering insights into the age and historical value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN highlights the vehicle as a Passenger Car with a Sedan/Saloon body class, possibly indicating the vehicle’s size and style.
• Engine Specifications: Information from the VIN suggests the engine being In-Line, having a displacement of 1.6 liters or 1600.0 cc, and featuring 4 cylinders, providing insights into the vehicle’s powertrain details.
• Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN indicates the primary fuel type as Gasoline, offering some understanding of the vehicle’s fuel compatibility and potential efficiency.
• Production Details: The VIN encompasses where the vehicle was manufactured, including the city (Fremont), state (California), and the plant company name (New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.), which could hint at the build quality and accessibility for parts.
• Safety Features: Safety elements such as the type of seat belt (Manual) can be discerned, providing a glimpse into the vehicle’s safety standards at the time of manufacturing.
• Vehicle Specifics: The VIN discloses specific model details, in this instance, for a Nova, potentially enabling owners and potential buyers to access a wealth of information about the vehicle.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Chevrolet Nova