Free 2000 Mercury Cougar VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2000 Mercury Cougar VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2000 Mercury Cougar VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to identify the place of origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type. The WMI for the 2000 Mercury Cougar, designated as “1ZW,” indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in the United States by Auto Alliance International, USA, specifically in Washington, DC. This code is the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which serves as a unique identifier for each vehicle, allowing detailed information about the vehicle’s manufacture and specifications to be easily accessed. The 1ZW code specifically identifies this vehicle as a passenger car produced between 1999 and 2002. This system of identification is essential for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2000 Mercury Cougar

WMI: 1ZW

• Model Years Covered: 1999-2002
• Example VIN: 1ZWFT61L0Y5620030
• Manufacturer Name: Auto Alliance International, USA
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Wasington
• State or Province: DC
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2000 Mercury Cougar 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 2000 Mercury Cougar:

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 2000 Mercury Cougar 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 2000 Mercury Cougar VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2000 Mercury Cougar VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2000 Mercury Cougar Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2000 Mercury Cougar

The final 6 characters in a 2000 Mercury Cougar’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mercury Cougar’s VIN below:

What info can a 2000 Mercury Cougar VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2000, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is a Passenger Car with a body class of Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Details: Information about the engine, including the possibility of it being a V-Shaped 2.5-liter engine with a horsepower starting from 170, manufactured by Ford, could be gleaned.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, such as Gasoline, is typically encoded within the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: The VIN may provide details about safety equipment, such as front airbags for both driver and passenger, and safety belts described as Manual, indicating the vehicle’s commitment to safety.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN can potentially reveal manufacturing details such as the location of the manufacturing plant in Flat Rock, Michigan, United States, and the company name, AAI, offering insights into the vehicle’s production process and origin.
• Engine Specification Enhancements: Additional engine information, like the presence of Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) and a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design, may provide deeper insights into the vehicle’s capabilities and performance.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2000 Mercury Cougar