Free 1996 Kia Sephia VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Kia Sephia VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Kia Sephia VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial three-character sequence in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that signifies the vehicle manufacturer, country of manufacture, and vehicle type. For the 1996 Kia Sephia, the WMI “KNA” designates that this passenger car was produced by Kia Corporation, reflecting its South Korean origins. Specifically, the vehicle was manufactured in Seoul, within the Seocho-Gu district. This code is crucial in identifying the vehicle’s manufacturing information globally, ensuring a unique and traceable identity for each vehicle produced during the years 1995-1997. Understanding the WMI is an essential aspect of automotive knowledge, providing insight into the vehicle’s lineage and authenticity.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Kia Sephia

WMI: KNA

• Model Years Covered: 1995-1997
• Example VIN: KNAFA1252T5259230
• Manufacturer Name: Kia Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Seoul
• State or Province: Seocho-Gu
• Country: South Korea

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1996 Kia Sephia 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 1996 Kia Sephia:

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 1996 Kia Sephia 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 1996 Kia Sephia VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Kia Sephia VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Kia Sephia Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Kia Sephia

The final 6 characters in a 1996 Kia Sephia’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1996 Kia Sephia VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it may be from 1996, offering insights into its age and potential market value.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN can encode essential vehicle information, such as the make and model (Sephia), engine details including a 1.8L displacement with a 4-cylinder Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) design, and the fuel type, typically gasoline.
• Body Class and Size: The VIN can specify the vehicle’s body class, indicating it as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, providing details about the vehicle’s size and capacity.
• Safety Features: Certain safety equipment details, like the presence of front airbags for both driver and passenger in the 1st row, can possibly be deduced from a VIN.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN provides clues about the vehicle’s manufacturing origins, possibly confirming the specific vehicle was assembled in Whasung, South Korea.
• Fuel Type: The VIN can define the primary fuel type used by the vehicle, such as gasoline, potentially offering insight into the vehicle’s operational costs and environmental impact.
• Engine Specifications: Engine specifics, like a displacement of 1800.0 CC (or 1.8 liters), may be revealed by the VIN, playing a key role in assessing the vehicle’s performance and fuel efficiency.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Kia Sephia