Free 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial string of characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) which uniquely identifies the maker of the vehicle and provides significant information about the car, such as its manufacturing location and vehicle type. For instance, the WMI for a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse is “4A3”, denoting Mitsubishi Motors North America as the manufacturing firm. This particular code is specific to passenger cars produced by Mitsubishi in the United States, specifically in Cypress, California. These first three characters of the VIN are crucial for accurately identifying the vehicle’s origin, make, and type. Through the WMI, vehicles like the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse can be traced back to their manufacturers and specific details about their production.

List of WMI Codes for a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse

WMI: 4A3

• Model Years Covered: 1991-1992, 1994-2012
• Example VIN: 4A3AK44Y8TE403430
• Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors North America
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Cypress
• State or Province: California
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse 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 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse:

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 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse 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 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse

The final 6 characters in a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mitsubishi Eclipse’s VIN below:

What info can a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that the vehicle is from 1996, potentially providing insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN may indicate the body class, potentially detailing a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 3 doors, offering insight into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Type: Details about the engine, such as a 2.0 Liter displacement, dual overhead cam (DOHC) valve train design, and multipoint fuel injection (MPFI) system, can be encoded within the VIN.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, gasoline in this case, can be indicated by the VIN, assisting in understanding the vehicle’s operational costs and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: Information about safety features, like the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger in the 1st row, is often detailed, signifying the vehicle’s commitment to passenger safety.
• Manufacturing Location: Details about the manufacturing location, including the city (Bloomington-Normal), state (Illinois), and country (United States) where the vehicle was produced, are revealed, offering clues to its origin and potentially its quality.
• Vehicle Specifications: Basic vehicle data such as the make (Eclipse), series (MEDIUM), and specific engine information (MPI) are typically encoded within the VIN, providing a snapshot of vehicle attributes and capabilities.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 Mitsubishi Eclipse

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