Free 2003 Mitsubishi Montero VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of three letters or numbers assigned to every vehicle manufacturer globally, forming the initial part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For instance, the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero, a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, is designated by the WMI “JA4,” which indicates that it was manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation in Tokyo, Japan. This WMI not only signifies the vehicle’s manufacturer but also provides insights into the vehicle type and country of assembly. Understanding WMIs can offer valuable information about the origin and classification of a vehicle, making them an essential element for automotive identification and registration processes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero

WMI: JA4

• Model Years Covered: 1985, 1987, 1990, 1994-2006
• Example VIN: JA4NW31S03J024331
• 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 2003 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 2003 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 2003 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 2003 Mitsubishi Montero VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2003 Mitsubishi Montero VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Mitsubishi Montero Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it may have been produced in 2003, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN could indicate that the vehicle is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle with a body class of Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Drive Type and Engine Details: Information such as the drive type being 4WD (4-Wheel Drive) and the engine configuration being V-shaped, along with displacement details (3.8L, 3800CC, or 231.89CI), is often encoded within the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
• Fuel Type and Engine Performance: The VIN can specify the primary fuel type as gasoline and detail the engine’s fuel delivery system, in this case, Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI), potentially providing insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and performance.
• Manufacturing Information: It might provide insights into the manufacturing location (e.g., Nagoya, Japan), the plant company name (NAGOYA-3), and specific details about the engine, such as the number of cylinders (6) and the valve train design (Single Overhead Cam, SOHC).
• Safety and Design Features: While not directly mentioned, the VIN through its detailed specs often allows for inference on safety features like the brake system type (Hydraulic) and vehicle design elements, such as the number of doors (5 for the Montero).

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero

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