Free 1985 Honda Prelude VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1985 Honda Prelude VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1985 Honda Prelude VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), signifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, where it was produced, and the type of vehicle it is. For example, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., based in Tokyo, Musashi, Japan, uses the WMI “JHM” for some of its vehicles, like the 1985 Honda Prelude, which is classified as a passenger car. This specific WMI denotes that the car was manufactured by Honda in Japan, providing crucial information for vehicle tracking, registration, and identification purposes. The application of WMIs, as seen with the 1985 Honda Prelude, is a standardized practice globally, facilitating the seamless identification of vehicles across international borders. This system is instrumental in ensuring that every vehicle can be uniquely identified, reflecting important details about its manufacture and type.

List of WMI Codes for a 1985 Honda Prelude

WMI: JHM

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1982, 1985-2001
• Example VIN: JHMBB7232FC004947
• Manufacturer Name: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Tokyo
• State or Province: Musashi
• Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1985 Honda Prelude 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 1985 Honda Prelude:

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 1985 Honda Prelude 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 1985 Honda Prelude VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1985 Honda Prelude VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1985 Honda Prelude Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1985 Honda Prelude

The final 6 characters in a 1985 Honda Prelude’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Honda Prelude’s VIN below:

What info can a 1985 Honda Prelude VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly being the year 1985, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, potentially indicating that the vehicle is a Coupe with 2 doors, offering clues to its design and functionality.
• Engine Type and Horsepower: Details such as the engine model being BT and its horsepower starting from 110 are encoded in the VIN, possibly shedding light on the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Vehicle Type and Weight Class: The VIN classifies the vehicle as a Passenger Car and specifies its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating to fall within Class 1, which is 6,000 lb or less, outlining its potential usage and classification.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN reveals the vehicle was possibly manufactured in Saitama/Sayama, Japan, providing specifics on its origin and potentially affecting its collectibility and parts availability.
• Safety and Transmission Features: The VIN possibly specifies that the vehicle comes with manual seat belts and has a 4-speed automatic transmission, which can potentially inform on its safety features and driving experience.
• Model Specifics: With information such as the model being Prelude and including trim S, the VIN possibly offers detail on the car’s specific market version, which can potentially impact its desirability and value.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1985 Honda Prelude

Source