Free 1998 Mitsubishi Montero VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes assigned to vehicle manufacturers to identify the make and country of origin of their vehicles. For instance, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, located in Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan, uses the WMI “JA4” for its vehicles. This code is particularly significant for the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero, a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), indicating it was produced by Mitsubishi Motors in Japan. The WMI is the first portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which further helps in distinguishing specific attributes like the vehicle type and production year. By analyzing the WMI, one gains insights into the vehicle’s manufacturing history and authenticity.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero

WMI: JA4

• Model Years Covered: 1985, 1987, 1990, 1994-2006
• Example VIN: JA4MR31H0WJ003071
• Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Minato-Ku
• State or Province: Tokyo
• Country: Japan

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero 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 1998 Mitsubishi Montero:

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 1998 Mitsubishi Montero 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 1998 Mitsubishi Montero VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Mitsubishi Montero VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Mitsubishi Montero Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can suggest the vehicle’s model year as the year 1998, pinpointing the specific production year and potentially offering insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s type as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, specifically a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), which can provide insights into the vehicle’s intended use and capacity.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN provides detailed engine information, such as a V-Shaped, 3.0 Liter, 6-cylinder engine with Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), possibly revealing the vehicle’s potential performance characteristics.
• Fuel Type: It may specify that the vehicle uses Gasoline as its primary fuel, potentially guiding users in understanding the vehicle’s environmental footprint and operating costs.
• Drive Type: It can indicate the vehicle has a 4-Wheel Drive (4WD) system, possibly implying enhanced off-road capability and performance in varying driving conditions.
• Manufacturing Details: Through the VIN, there’s a chance to determine the vehicle’s manufacturing location in Nagoya, Japan, by the plant company named NAGOYA-3, providing insight into the vehicle’s origin and the manufacturing quality.
• Vehicle Weight Class: The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating may classify the vehicle within Class 1D, suggesting it has a weight range of 5,001 - 6,000 lb, which can be crucial for understanding the vehicle’s handling dynamics and regulatory compliance.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Mitsubishi Montero

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