Free 1997 Nissan Sentra VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Nissan Sentra VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Nissan Sentra VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of three letters or numbers assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to identify the make and location of the vehicle’s production. For the 1997 Nissan Sentra, the WMI is “1N4” for models manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc. in Franklin, Tennessee, United States, or “3N1” for those manufactured by Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. in Mexico. These codes not only help in distinguishing the vehicle’s manufacturer but also provide specific information regarding the country and the facility where the car was manufactured. For the 1997 Sentra, these WMIs highlight the vehicle’s connection to both the United States and Mexico during its manufacturing process.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Nissan Sentra

WMI: 1N4

• Model Years Covered: 1990, 1992-1999, 2013-2014
• Example VIN: 1N4AB41D0VC732048
• Manufacturer Name: Nissan North America, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Franklin
• State or Province: Tennessee
• Country: United States

WMI: 3N1

• Model Years Covered: 1995-2024
• Example VIN: 3N1AB41D0VL020642
• Manufacturer Name: Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City:
• State or Province: C.P.
• Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Nissan Sentra 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 Nissan Sentra:

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 Nissan Sentra 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 Nissan Sentra VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Nissan Sentra VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Nissan Sentra Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Nissan Sentra

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

What info can a 1997 Nissan Sentra VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating that it is from the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN decodes to show that it could be a Sedan/Saloon type vehicle named Sentra, with a 1.6L engine possibly fueled by gasoline, offering brief insights into the vehicle’s body type and engine size.
• Body Class and Doors: Through the VIN, it may be possible to determine the vehicle’s body class as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, providing some insights into its size and structure.
• Safety Features: Safety features such as front air bag locations for the 1st row (driver and passenger) and manual seat belts are identified, possibly indicating the vehicle’s emphasis on passenger safety.
• Fuel Type: The designation in the VIN may indicate that the primary fuel type for the vehicle is gasoline, potentially aiding in understanding its engine compatibility and efficiency.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN details the plant’s location in Aguascalientes City, Mexico, under the company name Aguascalientes Assembly, offering a glimpse into the possible vehicle’s production origin.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It specifies a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) that might fall within Class 1, which is 6,000 lb or less, providing some potential insights into the vehicle’s weight class and usage limitations.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Nissan Sentra

Source