Free 1997 Mercury Tracer VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Mercury Tracer VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Mercury Tracer VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code made up of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing essential information about the vehicle’s manufacturer, including the name and location of manufacture. For a 1997 Mercury Tracer, the WMI reveals that it was manufactured by Ford Motor Company in Mexico, specifying a factory in Rioverde, S.L.P. This identifier not only aids in distinguishing the vehicle’s make and model but also assists in tracking recalls, registrations, and warranty claims. The WMI is an integral part of automotive identification, ensuring that every vehicle can be accurately traced back to its origins. For the 1997 Mercury Tracer, it underscores Ford’s global manufacturing footprint and the diverse origins of vehicles sold under the Mercury brand.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Mercury Tracer

WMI: 3ME

• Model Years Covered: 1997-1999
• Example VIN: 3MELM15P4VR604377
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company, Mexico
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Rioverde
• State or Province: S.L.P.
• Country: Mexico

WMI: 1ME

• Model Years Covered: 1997-1999
• Example VIN: 1MELM10P4VW631888
• 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 1997 Mercury Tracer 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 Mercury Tracer:

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 Mercury Tracer 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 Mercury Tracer VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Mercury Tracer VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Mercury Tracer Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Mercury Tracer

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

What info can a 1997 Mercury Tracer VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being a 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 1997 Ford, this may indicate a Wagon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifications: Detailed engine specifics can also be deduced, like a 2.0 L In-Line engine with 121 displacement in cubic inches (CI) produced by Ford, featuring an engine brake horsepower starting from 104, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s performance.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type the vehicle uses, which could be Gasoline, is usually specified, offering an understanding of its fuel requirements.
• Safety Features: Information on safety equipment, like the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row and specifications about the seat belt type, which is manual, can be found, providing insights into the vehicle’s safety features.
• Manufacturing Details: It can reveal manufacturing details, showing that the vehicle was assembled in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, offering insights into its production origin and potential quality standards.
• Trim and Series: Additional details such as the vehicle’s trim and series might be included, denoting the specific version of the model, for example, the LS Trio series, providing information about its specific features and package options.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Mercury Tracer

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