Free 1997 Lexus SC VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Lexus SC VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Lexus SC VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. The WMI is the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides specific information about the vehicle, including its manufacturing location and the company that produced it. For the 1997 Lexus SC, the WMI “JT8” signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. This designation is critical for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes. It essentially acts as a fingerprint for the vehicle, indicating it is a passenger car produced by one of Toyota’s luxury divisions.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Lexus SC

WMI: JT8

• Model Years Covered: 1992-2000
• Example VIN: JT8CD32Z0V0040275
• Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Toyota City
• State or Province: Aichi Prefecture
• Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Lexus SC 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 1997 Lexus SC:

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 1997 Lexus SC 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 1997 Lexus SC VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Lexus SC VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Lexus SC Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Lexus SC

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Lexus SC’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1997 Lexus SC VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including its manufacturer Toyota, model 2JZ-GE, displacement (3.0 Liters/182.89 Cubic Inches), and its configuration as In-Line, highlight the powerplant’s performance capabilities and design.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: Understanding that the vehicle is classified as a Passenger Car with a Coupe body style gives clues to the vehicle’s design, purpose, and potential passenger space.
• Safety Features: Specific safety features such as front airbag locations for the 1st row (Driver and Passenger) can be discerned, emphasizing the vehicle’s focus on occupant safety.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: The primary fuel type is Gasoline, coupled with a Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) system, suggesting the vehicle’s efficiency and environmental considerations.
• Production Details: Production specifics, including the manufacturing Plant Country (Japan), Plant City (Susono), and the precise Plant Company Name (Higashi Fuji Plant, Kanto Auto Works, LTD.), offer insight into the vehicle’s origins and build quality.
• Drive Type and Power Output: The vehicle’s 4x2 drive type, combined with an engine output ranging from 225 to 227 horsepower, informs on the vehicle’s driveline configuration and potential performance.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Lexus SC