Free 1998 Hyundai Elantra VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Hyundai Elantra VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Hyundai Elantra VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-character code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer worldwide, playing a crucial role in identifying the make and country of origin of a vehicle. In the case of the 1998 Hyundai Elantra, the WMI “KMH” signals that the vehicle was manufactured by Hyundai Motor Co., a renowned automotive company. This specific sequence indicates that the vehicle was produced in South Korea, specifically in the city of Seoul. The WMI is integral to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving as its opening segment, and provides immediate, essential information about the car’s manufacturing background. For this model year, the WMI covers various Hyundai vehicles produced from 1996, extending through 1998 and onwards up to 2024, underscoring the global reach and consistency of Hyundai’s production.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Hyundai Elantra

WMI: KMH

• Model Years Covered: 1996, 1998-2024
• Example VIN: KMHJF24M6WU697098
• Manufacturer Name: Hyundai Motor Co.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Seoul Korea
• State or Province:
• Country: South Korea

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Hyundai Elantra 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 1998 Hyundai Elantra:

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 1998 Hyundai Elantra 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 1998 Hyundai Elantra VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Hyundai Elantra VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Hyundai Elantra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Hyundai Elantra

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Hyundai Elantra’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1998 Hyundai Elantra VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, which may provide insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle, possibly indicating it is from the 1998 model year.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN provides data specifying that the vehicle is classified as a Passenger Car with a Sedan/Saloon body, offering insight into the vehicle’s design and intended use.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN encodes details such as a 1795 CC (or 1.795 L) displacement and a 4-cylinder configuration, providing a snapshot of the engine’s size and power, indicating the engine’s specifications.
• Fuel Efficiency and Type: The VIN indicates the primary fuel type as Gasoline, which, combined with engine displacement, can give an idea of the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact, potentially offering insights into fuel efficiency and environmental impacts.
• Safety Features: The VIN notes Front Air Bag locations for the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), alongside other restraint information, pointing to the vehicle’s safety equipment and protective measures, suggesting the presence of safety features.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN provides details about the plant city of Ulsan and the country, South Korea, showcasing the vehicle’s origins and potentially affecting its build quality and availability of parts, potentially influencing aspects such as build quality and parts availability.
• Model Specifics: With the vehicle identified as an Elantra Deluxe (GL) series, the VIN helps in pinpointing model-specific features, critical for repairs, upgrades, or simply understanding the vehicle’s market positioning, potentially offering critical information for repairs and upgrades.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Hyundai Elantra