Free 1988 Honda Civic VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Honda Civic VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Honda Civic VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter codes assigned to automakers to identify the vehicle’s manufacturer and country of assembly. For example, the 1988 Honda Civic produced in Canada carries the WMI code “2HG”, signifying it was manufactured by Honda of Canada Mfg., Inc. in Alliston, Ontario. This code is crucial in understanding the origin and production details of the vehicle, as it forms the first part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). WMIs provide important information for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall processes, ensuring each car’s history and specifications are accurately recorded.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Honda Civic

WMI: 2HG

• Model Years Covered: 1988-2024
• Example VIN: 2HGED6454JH500146
• Manufacturer Name: Honda of Canada Mfg., Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Alliston
• State or Province: Ontario
• Country: Canada

WMI: JHM

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 1985-2012, 2018-2019, 2022-2023
• Example VIN: JHMED8359JS023314
• Manufacturer Name: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Tokyo
• State or Province: Musashi
• Country: Japan

WMI: 1HG

• Model Years Covered: 1987-2009
• Example VIN: 1HGED3647JA050493
• Manufacturer Name: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Torrance
• State or Province: California
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1988 Honda Civic 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 Honda Civic:

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 Honda Civic 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 Honda Civic VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 Honda Civic VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Honda Civic Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Honda Civic

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

Check your Honda Civic’s VIN below:

What info can a 1988 Honda Civic VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 1988 Honda Civic, this may indicate a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Type: Detailed engine specifications can be gleaned, like the engine manufacturer being Honda, engine model D15B2, along with the engine’s horsepower starting from 92 hp and valve train design being Single Overhead Cam (SOHC).
• Fuel Efficiency and Type: Fuel type is critical, and a VIN can illustrate the primary fuel type, which for the Honda Civic is Gasoline, potentially impacting long-term fuel costs and environmental considerations.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN encodes manufacturing details like the plant’s location, City of Maryville, in the United States, Ohio, indicating where the vehicle was assembled, providing insights into the vehicle’s origin.
• Vehicle Type and Weight Class: Additionally, the VIN might offer insights into the vehicle type, confirming it as a Passenger Car, and provide details on weight classifications, here classified as Class 1: 6,000 lb or less, potentially impacting tax and registration fees.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Honda Civic

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