Free 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport VIN

Vehicle Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code that identifies the manufacturer of a specific vehicle, indicating key information such as the make and country of origin. For instance, the WMI ‘1GM’ denotes vehicles made by General Motors LLC in the United States. Specifically, it is associated with certain models, including the 1997 Pontiac Trans-Sport. This code is the initial part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and can offer valuable details such as the vehicle type, which in the case of the Pontiac Trans-Sport, is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). The WMI is crucial for vehicle recognition, tracing origins, and ensuring compatibility and standardization in auto manufacturing and regulation.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport

WMI: 1GM

• Model Years Covered: 1992, 1994-1998
• Example VIN: 1GMDU06E5VD135849
• Manufacturer Name: General Motors LLC
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Warren
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport 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 Pontiac Trans Sport:

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 Pontiac Trans Sport 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 Pontiac Trans Sport VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport

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

What info can a 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle, such as the year 1997 for the Trans Sport.
• Body Class: The VIN can specify the vehicle’s body style, such as identifying it as a Minivan in this case, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Details: Insights about the engine, like its 3.4-liter capacity, V-Shaped configuration, and being a 6-cylinder model manufactured by FLT, are typically detailed in the VIN, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: The VIN often provides information on the primary fuel type, such as Gasoline in this case. Additionally, details like the fuel delivery system, Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) in this case, offer further insights into the vehicle’s efficiency and performance, providing potential buyers with crucial information for decision making.
• Drive Type and Brake System: Essential characteristics, such as the vehicle being 4x2 drive and equipped with a Hydraulic brake system, can be deduced from the VIN, offering potential buyers insights into the vehicle’s handling and braking capabilities.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN reveals significant manufacturing details, including the production plant location (Doraville, Georgia, United States) and the plant company name (NA-MCD Platform (APV)), giving potential buyers insights into the vehicle’s origin and production details.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Information regarding the vehicle’s weight class, for instance, Class 1D ranging from 5,001 to 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg), can be found encoded within the VIN, hinting at its load-carrying capacity and classification, which can be valuable for understanding the vehicle’s capabilities.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport