Free Kia Niro VIN Decoder

How to decode a Kia Niro VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Kia Niro VIN

WMI, or World Manufacturer Identifier, is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designating the vehicle manufacturer, its country of origin, and the specific type and manufacturing division. For instance, the WMI KND signals a vehicle produced by Kia Corporation, located in Seoul, South Korea, specifically in the Seocho-Gu area. This identifier is essential in recognizing the precise make of multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPVs) from the 2017 to 2024 model years. Through such a WMI, vehicles can be immediately identified in terms of their manufacturing source, ensuring clear and concise vehicle tracking, ownership, and recall processes. It plays a critical role in automotive regulation, safety procedures, and consumer protection.

List of WMI Codes for a Kia Niro

WMI: KND

• Model Years Covered: 2017-2024
• Example VIN: KNDCB3LC0H5029897
• Manufacturer Name: Kia Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Seoul
• State or Province: Seocho-Gu
• Country: South Korea

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Kia Niro 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 Kia Niro:

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 Kia Niro 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 Kia Niro VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Kia Niro VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Kia Niro Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Kia Niro

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

What info can a Kia Niro VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, like a 2020 Niro, providing foundational details for vehicle identification.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN can specify the body class, indicating whether it is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Type and Fuel Efficiency: Key engine details, such as the type (GDI), the number of cylinders (4), and specific battery information (Lithium-Ion/Li-Ion with 360 Volts), can be derived from the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s powertrain and fuel efficiency features.
• Safety Equipment: Essential safety features, including the presence of Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and airbag locations (e.g., front, side, curtain for 1st and 2nd Rows), are typically encoded within the VIN, indicating the comprehensive safety measures incorporated.
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): The VIN can identify the inclusion of advanced technologies like Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) as standard features, showcasing the vehicle’s modern safety and convenience attributes.
• Production Details: The VIN may provide information about the manufacturing location, such as the plant city (Hwasung).

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Kia Niro