Free Mazda Protege VIN Decoder

How to decode a Mazda Protege VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Mazda Protege VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the maker and location of a vehicle’s production. It forms the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is essential for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes. Regarding the Mazda Protegé manufactured between 1991 and 2003, the WMI JM1 specifically denotes Mazda Motor Corporation in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. This code is fundamental in confirming that a vehicle is a Mazda passenger car produced in this particular location. Understanding the WMI helps in authenticating the vehicle’s origin and ensuring its specifications align with regulatory standards set for its manufacturing country and intended markets.

List of WMI Codes for a Mazda Protege

WMI: JM1

• Model Years Covered: 1991-2003
• Example VIN: JM1BG2240M0272179
• Manufacturer Name: Mazda Motor Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Hiroshima
• State or Province: Hiroshima Prefecture
• Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Mazda Protege 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 Mazda Protege:

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 Mazda Protege 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 Mazda Protege VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Mazda Protege VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Mazda Protege Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mazda Protege

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

What info can a Mazda Protege VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can disclose the model year, such as 2002, providing valuable age-related information about the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN can specify the body class. For the Mazda Protege, this may indicate a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Type and Power: Detailed information on the engine, including its manufacturer (Mazda), model (FSD), configuration (In-Line), and a horsepower range (from 117 hp to 143 hp), can also be gleaned from the VIN, offering valuable insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Fuel Type: The VIN can reveal the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, which in this example is gasoline, indicating the vehicle’s fuel efficiency aspects and operational costs.
• Safety Features: VIN decoding can provide insights into safety features, illustrating this with front and side airbag locations available in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s safety equipment.
• Manufacturing Location: Information about the vehicle’s manufacturing, such as the plant’s city (Hofu), country (Japan), and company (Mazda Motor Corporation), helps trace the vehicle’s production origin, offering insights into its manufacturing history.
• Body and Structure Details: The VIN can also provide details about the vehicle’s cooling system (water), the number of doors (4), and the seat belt type (manual), offering a deeper understanding of the vehicle’s structure and design features.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mazda Protege