Free 1997 Mazda Protege VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Mazda Protege VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Mazda Protege VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial three-character sequence in a vehicle identification number (VIN), indicating the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of manufacture, and vehicle type. For the 1997 Mazda Protege, the WMI is “JM1”, denoting that the car was manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation in Japan, specifically in Hiroshima, Hiroshima Prefecture. This WMI reveals that the vehicle in question is a passenger car, providing essential information about its origin and general specifications. By analyzing the WMI, one can discern valuable details about the vehicle’s manufacturer and location, enriching the understanding of its production background. This serves as a standardized code, ensuring that identifying the manufacturing origins of vehicles remains consistent and straightforward worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Mazda Protege

WMI: JM1

• Model Years Covered: 1991-2003
• Example VIN: JM1BC1425V0104847
• 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 1997 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 1997 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 1997 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 1997 Mazda Protege VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Mazda Protege VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Mazda Protege Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Mazda Protege

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

What info can a 1997 Mazda Protege VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Details: From the VIN, manufacturing details such as the plant city of Hiroshima and the plant company name, Mazda Motor Corporation, may be identified, pointing to its production location and manufacturer.
• Vehicle Specifications: Basic details such as the make being Mazda and the model being Protege are encoded within the VIN, possibly accompanied by the engine model BPD.
• Body Type and Size: The VIN can divulge that the body class is a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering potential insights into the vehicle’s design and capacity.
• Engine Power Range: Engine horsepower is specified to range from 110 to 134, possibly providing a measure of the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Safety Features: The VIN indicates the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row, potentially shedding light on the vehicle’s safety equipment.
• Vehicle Type and Series: The vehicle is classified as a Passenger Car, with the series potentially being specifically identified as Sedan, which could help in understanding the intended use and market segment of the vehicle.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Mazda Protege