Free 1988 GMC S15 Utility VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 GMC S15 Utility VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 GMC S15 Utility VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) which uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. These first three characters of the VIN allow for the identification of the vehicle’s brand, national origin, and vehicle type. For instance, General Motors LLC, headquartered in Warren, Michigan, United States, utilizes the WMI “1GK” for specific models, including the GMC S15 Utility produced during 1988. This WMI indicates that the vehicle is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) manufactured by General Motors. Such identifiers are crucial for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 GMC S15 Utility

WMI: 1GK

• Model Years Covered: 1987-1989, 1991-1994
• Example VIN: 1GKCT18Z3J0513665
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1988 GMC S15 Utility 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 1988 GMC S15 Utility:

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 1988 GMC S15 Utility 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 1988 GMC S15 Utility VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 GMC S15 Utility VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 GMC S15 Utility Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 GMC S15 Utility

The final 6 characters in a 1988 GMC S15 Utility’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1988 GMC S15 Utility VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it may be a 1988 model, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The vehicle is categorized as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, specifically a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), providing insights into the vehicle’s design and intended use.
• Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information such as a 4.3 Liter V-Shaped engine with 6 cylinders can be decoded, highlighting both the engine’s configuration and its displacement capacity.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, with a specific note on its fuel delivery system being Throttle Body Fuel Injection (TBI), offering clues about the vehicle’s efficiency and performance.
• Drive Type: The VIN can indicate the vehicle is equipped with 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, suggesting enhanced off-road capabilities and traction in various driving conditions.
• Manufacturing Details: Key manufacturing details such as the plant city being Pontiac, Michigan, and the country as the United States, are identified, providing background on where the vehicle was produced.
• Safety and Design Features: While not explicitly detailed in every VIN decode, information such as the brake system type being Hydraulic, the number of doors, and the vehicle’s gross weight classification can often be discerned, offering insights into the vehicle’s safety features and design attributes.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 GMC S15 Utility