Free 1988 Mercury Topaz VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Mercury Topaz VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Mercury Topaz VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For a 1988 Mercury Topaz, the WMI is “1ME,” indicating that this vehicle was manufactured by Ford Motor Company, specifically under their Mercury division. This code not only pinpoints the company but also suggests the vehicle was assembled in the United States, as denoted by the leading “1” in the WMI. The Mercury Topaz’s origin in Dearborn, Michigan, highlights its American manufacture within the extensive Ford production network. WMIs serve as a crucial tool in vehicle identification, providing a quick reference to the vehicle’s manufacture lineage and location.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Mercury Topaz

WMI: 1ME

• Model Years Covered: 1984, 1988-1989, 1991-1994
• Example VIN: 1MEPM37X5JK642404
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1988 Mercury Topaz 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 1988 Mercury Topaz:

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 1988 Mercury Topaz 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 1988 Mercury Topaz VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 Mercury Topaz VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Mercury Topaz Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Mercury Topaz

The final 6 characters in a 1988 Mercury Topaz’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1988 Mercury Topaz VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can indicate the vehicle’s model year, potentially being the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: This VIN provides details on a Ford Topaz, potentially indicating it as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Type and Specifications: The engine is potentially a 2.3L (140 CI) with an output of at least 98 horsepower, manufactured by Ford, possibly featuring Electronic Fuel Injection with High Swirl Combustion.
• Fuel Type: The VIN may suggest that this car runs on Gasoline, indicating its potential primary fuel type.
• Manufacturing Location: According to the VIN, the Ford Topaz was potentially manufactured in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, offering insights into its origin.
• Safety Features: The VIN report hints at potential safety features, including Passive Belts for the front seats and Active Belts for the rear, alongside listing the seat belt type as both Manual and Automatic, possibly enhancing the vehicle’s safety features.
• Vehicle Type and Doors: The VIN describes the vehicle type as a Passenger Car with 4 doors, offering insights into its potential body style and usage classification.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Mercury Topaz

Source