Free 1997 Geo Prizm VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Geo Prizm VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Geo Prizm VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies every vehicle manufacturer around the globe. It is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which serves as a unique identifier for individual motor vehicles. The WMI for the 1997 Geo Prizm indicates it was manufactured by New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. in Fremont, California, United States. This specific piece of information tells us not only the maker of the vehicle but also provides insight into where the production took place, right down to the city and state level. Understanding a WMI is crucial for accurately identifying vehicles and tracing their manufacturing origin.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Geo Prizm

WMI: 1Y1

• Model Years Covered: 1990-1997
• Example VIN: 1Y1SK5282VZ419064
• 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 1997 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 1997 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 1997 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 1997 Geo Prizm VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Geo Prizm VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Geo Prizm Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Geo Prizm

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Geo Prizm’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Geo Prizm’s VIN below:

What info can a 1997 Geo Prizm VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating that the vehicle is from the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Number of Doors: Information from the VIN decoding suggests that the vehicle may belong to the Sedan/Saloon body class with 4 doors, reflecting its design and functionality.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN may contain detailed engine information, possibly indicating it as a 1.8L In-Line 4-cylinder engine with a displacement of 1762 CC, designed by Toyota (7A-FE model).
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type of the vehicle, likely gasoline, can be indicated by the VIN, offering hints about fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: Through the VIN, it’s possible to identify the presence and locations of airbags, such as the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) airbags, providing important safety information.
• Plant Information: The VIN may trace back to the vehicle’s manufacturing details, possibly revealing the plant city (Fremont), plant country (United States), and the manufacturing company name (New United Motor Manufacturing Inc), highlighting the geographical origin and the facility’s specifics.
• Valve Train Design: A VIN can possibly reveal specific mechanical designs like the Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design, providing insight into the engine’s performance characteristics and complexity.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Geo Prizm