Free 2003 Mazda Protege VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2003 Mazda Protege VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Mazda Protege VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing insight into where and by whom a vehicle was manufactured. For instance, Mazda Motor Corporation, based in Hiroshima, Japan, is assigned the WMI ‘JM1’ for its passenger cars. This identifier is pivotal for the 2003 Mazda Protege, denoting its origins and classifying it under the prestigious umbrella of Mazda’s production. Specifically, the ‘JM1’ code reveals that the vehicle was assembled in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan, emphasizing its Japanese craftsmanship. The WMI is the first segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), making it a critical piece of information for tracking, registration, and identification purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Mazda Protege

WMI: JM1

• Model Years Covered: 1991-2003
• Example VIN: JM1BJ245031104428
• 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 2003 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 2003 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 2003 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 2003 Mazda Protege VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2003 Mazda Protege VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Mazda Protege Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Mazda Protege

The final 6 characters in a 2003 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 2003 Mazda Protege VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2003, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN can encode detailed vehicle specifications such as make (Mazda), model (Protege), and engine details (e.g., 2.0 L displacement, In-Line configuration, and horsepower ranging from 117 to 133) offering insights into the engine performance.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, indicating a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 5 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN might contain manufacturing details, including the plant country (Japan), city (Yamaguchi), and the company name (Mazda Motor Corporation), providing potential insights into the vehicle’s origin and production details.
• Fuel Type: It can identify the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, which in this instance is Gasoline, offering insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: Safety features such as airbag locations, including 1st row (driver and passenger) for both front and side airbags, can be deduced, providing insights into the vehicle’s safety capabilities.
• Engine Specifications: The engine’s specific attributes, such as the manufacturer (Mazda), model (FSD), and number of cylinders (4), offer insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities and potential maintenance requirements.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Mazda Protege