- Characters 1-3 of a Merkur VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Merkur
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Merkur VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Merkur VIN.
- 10th Character in the Merkur VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Merkur VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Merkur Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Merkur
- How to find a Merkur's VIN?
- What info can a Merkur VIN reveal?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Merkur
How to decode a Merkur VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Merkur VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. The WMI is globally recognized and provides specific information about where a car is made, its brand, and vehicle type. In the case of a particular WMI (WF1), it denotes vehicles manufactured by Ford Werke AG in Koeln-Niehl, Germany, specifically passenger cars which were produced in the year 1988. This identifier is crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and recall purposes. It ensures that each vehicle can be uniquely traced back to its manufacturer, model, and place of production.
List of WMI Codes for a Merkur
| WMI | Manufacturer Name | Vehicle Type | City | State or Province | Country | Model Years Covered | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WF1 | Ford Werke Ag | Passenger Car | Koeln-Niehl | Germany | 1988 | WF1BT81V9JE992435 |
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Merkur 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 Merkur:
| Known VDS for a Merkur | |
|---|---|
| BT81V | BT80W |
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 Merkur 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 Merkur VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| J | 1988 |
11th Character in the Merkur VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Merkur Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Cologne | North Rhine-Westphalia | Germany | WF1BT81V9JE992435 | |
| M | Rheine | North Rhine-Westphalia | Germany | WF1BT80W2JM698911 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Merkur
The final 6 characters in a Merkur’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Merkur’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Merkur is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Merkur, where the VIN can often be seen through the windshield.
- Examine the door frame or door jamb on the driver’s side of your Merkur, as the VIN is commonly located on a label or sticker where the door closes.
- Look at your Merkur’s vehicle registration documents or insurance papers, as the VIN is always printed there.
- Inspect the engine block of your Merkur, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
What info can a Merkur VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1988, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Engine Type: Detailed engine information encoded within the VIN suggests that it is a Ford Merkur engine with a V-shaped configuration, 6 cylinders, and a displacement of 2.9 liters, possibly producing up to 144 horsepower.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is a Passenger Car, with a specific body class of Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, possibly affecting the vehicle’s design and functionality.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, which could affect its fuel compatibility and possibly its fuel efficiency.
- Safety Features: Information such as active seat belts for all designated seating positions is possibly deducible, hinting at the vehicle’s emphasis on occupant safety.
- Plant Information: Manufacturing details, including that the vehicle was assembled in Cologne, Germany, maybe provide insight into its origin and production quality.
- Vehicle Descriptor: The vehicle descriptor part of the VIN offers a unique identifier that might be used to access specific information regarding the vehicle’s engine model and other specifications, providing a deeper understanding of its design and capabilities.
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Decode a Merkur VIN
Don’t have your Merkur’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Merkur
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Displacement (CC) | 2900.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 176.96885787472 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.9 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 144 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Ford |
| Engine Model | Merkur |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | Scorpio |
| Model Year | 1988 |
| Other Engine Info | Electronic fuel injection |
| Other Restraint System Info | Active Seat Belts ( all designated seating positions) |
| Plant City | Cologne |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Plant State | North Rhine-Westphalia |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WF1BT81V*JE |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WF1BT81V9JE992435 |
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