Free 1996 Geo Prizm VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Geo Prizm VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Geo Prizm VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code that signifies the manufacturer of a vehicle and provides specific information about the vehicle type and manufacturing location. For instance, the 1996 Geo Prizm has a WMI of “1Y1,” which indicates it was produced by New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. in Fremont, California, United States. This specific WMI reflects that the vehicle is a passenger car, illustrating how WMIs serve as an essential part of vehicle identification numbers (VINs) to track and identify vehicles globally. Through such encoding, each vehicle can be traced to its manufacturer, vehicle type, and place of production.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Geo Prizm

WMI: 1Y1

• Model Years Covered: 1990-1997
• Example VIN: 1Y1SK5285TZ003605
• 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 1996 Geo Prizm 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 Geo Prizm:

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 Geo Prizm 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 Geo Prizm VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Geo Prizm VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Geo Prizm Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Geo Prizm

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

What info can a 1996 Geo Prizm VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN suggests that the vehicle could be from the 1996 model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: This VIN corresponds to a Toyota Prizm, indicating it may be a Sedan/Saloon body class with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure for potential buyers and enthusiasts.
• Engine Type: The engine is a 1.8 Liter in-line 4-cylinder 7A-FE model with a displacement of 1.8 liters, featuring a water-cooled Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design, which can influence the vehicle’s performance and maintenance needs.
• Safety Features: The Toyota Prizm is possibly equipped with front airbags for both the driver and the passenger, suggesting a focus on safety for occupants.
• Fuel Type: The vehicle is likely designed to run primarily on gasoline, aligning with the engine’s specifications for optimal performance.
• Manufacturing Location: It might have been produced in Fremont, California, United States, at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc plant, providing some background into the vehicle’s production.
• Doors and Windows: It seems that it has 4 doors and 6 windows, offering accessibility and convenience for passengers, enhancing the overall comfort.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Geo Prizm

Source