Free 1998 Mazda Protege VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Mazda Protege VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Mazda Protege VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a three-letter code that uniquely identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, forming the first segment of the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For the 1998 Mazda Protege, the WMI “JM1” indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Mazda Motor Corporation, based in Hiroshima, Japan. This code signifies that the vehicle falls under the category of a passenger car. The WMI is essential for accurately identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, providing insight into where the vehicle was produced and its specific type. For enthusiasts, collectors, or those involved in vehicle registration and maintenance, understanding a car’s WMI, such as the one for the 1998 Mazda Protege, offers valuable details about its origins and classification.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Mazda Protege

WMI: JM1

• Model Years Covered: 1991-2003
• Example VIN: JM1BC1422W0215714
• 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 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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 1998 Mazda Protege VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Mazda Protege VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Mazda Protege Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Mazda Protege

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Mazda Protege’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mazda Protege’s VIN below:

What info can a 1998 Mazda Protege VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN may contain details such as the plant city, Hiroshima, and the manufacturing company, Mazda Motor Corporation, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s origin and production lineage.
• Vehicle Specifications: Basic information about the Mazda Protege model, including engine details like engine model BPD and a horsepower ranging from 110 to 134, can possibly be encoded within the VIN.
• Body Class and Size: A VIN can specify the body type, such as Sedan/Saloon, and other related specifications like the number of doors, possibly indicating 4 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and size.
• Safety Features: Important safety features like the front airbag locations, specifically in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, might be inferred from the VIN, providing valuable information about the vehicle’‘’s safety attributes.
• Series and Vehicle Type: The series of the car, possibly a Sedan in this case, along with the vehicle type, indicating it’s a Passenger Car, are details that could potentially be decoded from the VIN.
• Unique Vehicle Identifier: Each VIN, such as JM1BC1422W0215714, provides a unique identifier that encapsulates all these details, possibly offering a comprehensive overview of the vehicle’s characteristics.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Mazda Protege

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