Free Honda Element VIN Decoder

How to decode a Honda Element VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Honda Element VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter or digit sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. The WMI 5J6 is designated for vehicles made by American Honda Motor Co., Inc., specifically for their Honda Element model, a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), during the years 2003 to 2011. This code is an integral part of the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that gives vital information about the vehicle, including its manufacturing location, which in the case of 5J6 is Torrance, California, USA. WMIs are universally recognized, allowing for the identification of the vehicle’s manufacturer without ambiguity. This system is supervised by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ensuring global consistency and reliability of vehicle identification.

List of WMI Codes for a Honda Element

WMI: 5J6

• Model Years Covered: 2003-2011
• Example VIN: 5J6YH18503L000580
• Manufacturer Name: American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Torrance
• State or Province: California
• Country: United States

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

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 Honda Element 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 Honda Element VIN — Year Code

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

Known Honda Element Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Honda Element

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

What info can a Honda Element VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can indicate a wide range of model years, possibly including vehicles as recent as 2010, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Body Class: Descriptions such as Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) can be identified, possibly offering insights into the vehicle’s intended use and design.
• Engine Specifications: Specific details like a 2.359 liter In-Line engine with a horsepower of 166 and an engine model K24A8 demonstrate the depth of mechanical information available, which might hint at the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Safety Features: The presence of front and curtain airbags in both the 1st and 2nd rows, alongside other restraint systems like rear side curtain airbags, might underscore the safety equipment that can be discerned, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s safety standards.
• Fuel Type: There’s a chance that the vehicle uses Gasoline as its primary fuel type, aiding in understanding its environmental impact and fuel consumption patterns.
• Manufacturing Details: Information such as the manufacturing city being East Liberty, and the state Ohio, in the United States, provides contextual data on the origin of the vehicle, which can influence perceptions of build quality and availability of parts.
• Drive Type and Transmission: Details like a 4x2 drive type and a 5-speed automatic transmission can describe the drivetrain and handling characteristics, possibly supporting finer vehicle identification and user preference alignment.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Honda Element