Free Honda Insight VIN Decoder

How to decode a Honda Insight VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Honda Insight VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), signifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and vehicle type. For the Honda Insight, two distinct WMIs reflect its production locations and eras. The WMI JHM indicates Honda Insights manufactured by Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in Tokyo, Japan, covering model years from 2000 to 2006 and then from 2010 to 2014. Meanwhile, the WMI 19X denotes Insights produced by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. in Torrance, California, USA, specifically for model years from 2019 to 2022. These identifiers not only trace the vehicle’s roots but also confirm its authenticity directly through its VIN.

List of WMI Codes for a Honda Insight

WMI: JHM

• Model Years Covered: 2000-2006, 2010-2014
• Example VIN: JHMZE1354YT000646
• Manufacturer Name: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Tokyo
• State or Province: Musashi
• Country: Japan

WMI: 19X

• Model Years Covered: 2019-2022
• Example VIN: 19XZE4F10KE002017
• 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 Honda Insight 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 Insight:

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 Insight 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 Insight VIN — Year Code

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

Known Honda Insight Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Honda Insight

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

What info can a Honda Insight VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that it might be a 2021 model, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Make: The make of the vehicle may typically indicate a specific brand like Honda, although this information can vary and should be cross-verified.
• Engine Specifications: Information such as the engine’s displacement in liters (1.5L), its configuration as In-Line, and the presence of hybrid technology (Strong HEV) can be deduced, showcasing the vehicle’s potential power and environmental footprint.
• Safety Features: The VIN indicates the presence of advanced safety technologies such as Lane Keeping Assistance, Forward Collision Warning, and Curtain Airbags in both the 1st and 2nd rows, suggesting the vehicle’s potential commitment to passenger safety.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: It specifies primary and secondary fuel types as Gasoline and Electric, respectively, underlining the potential hybrid nature of the vehicle, which can affect both performance and fuel economy.
• Body Class and Size: Through the VIN, one can potentially determine the vehicle’s body class as Sedan/Saloon, and other related specifications such as the number of seats (5) and doors (4), offering potential insights into its size and capacity.
• Drive Type and Transmission: Key mechanical details like the drive type possibly being 4x2 and the transmission style as a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) can be inferred, which could influence driving dynamics and efficiency.
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): The VIN might contain information on potential ADAS features like Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, potentially outlining the vehicle’s technological advancements for enhancing driving convenience and safety.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Honda Insight