Free 1996 Mazda Protege VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Mazda Protege VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Mazda Protege VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter codes assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to distinguish their vehicles in terms of make and country of assembly. For the 1996 Mazda Protege, the WMI is “JM1,” indicating that the car was manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation, located in Hiroshima, Japan. These codes are the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in identifying the exact vehicle, including its model year, manufacturing plant, and sequential production number. The WMI is crucial for various stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, manufacturers, and consumers, to ensure vehicle traceability and authenticity. Specifically, for the 1996 Mazda Protege, the WMI underscores its Japanese origins and Mazda’s manufacturing oversight.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Mazda Protege

WMI: JM1

• Model Years Covered: 1991-2003
• Example VIN: JM1BB1412T0317133
• 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 1996 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 1996 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 1996 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 1996 Mazda Protege VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Mazda Protege VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Mazda Protege Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Mazda Protege

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

What info can a 1996 Mazda Protege VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Information: Details such as the plant city, Hiroshima, and country, Japan, where the vehicle was manufactured can also be derived from the VIN, offering insights into its production origin.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN provides specifics on the vehicle, including the make and model, such as Mazda Protege, and engine model details like Z5D, offering detailed information about the specific vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, indicating a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Horsepower: The VIN can reveal the engine’s horsepower range; in this scenario, it is between 83 to 101 hp, offering an estimate of the vehicle’s power.
• Safety Features: Safety features, like the locations of airbags, in this instance, 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), can be inferred from the VIN, providing some insights into the safety equipment on the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type: The general category of the vehicle, like Passenger Car, is another detail provided by the VIN, indicating the primary use of the vehicle.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Mazda Protege

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