1997 Toyota Avalon VIN Decoder & Lookup

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN
List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Toyota Avalon
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN
Character 9 is the "check digit" in a 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN.
10th Character in the 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN — Year Code
11th Character in the 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1997 Toyota Avalon Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Toyota Avalon
How to find a 1997 Toyota Avalon's VIN?
What info can a 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN reveal?
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Toyota Avalon

How to decode a 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used in vehicle identification numbers (VINs) to identify the manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. The 1997 Toyota Avalon, for example, has a WMI code of 4T1, indicating that it was produced by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., in the United States. This specific code also classifies the vehicle as a passenger car. The Avalon, being assembled in Georgetown, Kentucky, underscores Toyota’s extensive manufacturing presence in the United States. WMI codes are crucial for tracking, registration, and recall purposes for vehicles worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Toyota Avalon

WMI: 4T1

Model Years Covered: 1995-2022
Example VIN: 4T1BF12B0VU135812
Manufacturer Name: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Georgetown
State or Province: Kentucky
Country: United States

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

Known VDS for a 1997 Toyota Avalon
BF12B

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 Toyota Avalon 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 Toyota Avalon VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
V	1997

11th Character in the 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Toyota Avalon Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
U	Georgetown	Kentucky	United States	Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.	4T1BF12B0VU135812

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Toyota Avalon

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

Check your Toyota Avalon’s VIN below:

How to find a 1997 Toyota Avalon’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1997 Toyota Avalon is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Toyota Avalon. The VIN is often viewable through the windshield on a small plate.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your 1997 Toyota Avalon. You might find the VIN on a label or sticker where the door closes.
Look at the frame of the vehicle on the driver’s side. The 1997 Toyota Avalon may have the VIN etched onto the metal frame inside the engine bay.
Examine the front of the engine block. In some Toyota Avalon models, the VIN is stamped onto the engine itself.
Check your vehicle’s insurance or ownership documents, which will list the VIN of your 1997 Toyota Avalon.

What info can a 1997 Toyota Avalon VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Type and Size: The Toyota Avalon model features a 3.0L V-Shaped engine with a displacement of 3000.0 CC, indicating its engine size and configuration.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN specifies the body class of sedan/saloon, coupled with a 4-door specification, illustrating the vehicle’s design and capacity.
Engine Performance: The VIN indicates that the engine produces between 184 and 217 horsepower, reflecting the vehicle’s power range and performance capabilities.
Safety Features: It seems that safety equipment such as front airbags for both the driver and passenger are indicated, showcasing the vehicle’s commitment to occupant protection.
Fuel Type: The VIN reveals that the Toyota Avalon runs on gasoline, possibly providing essential information about fuel compatibility and efficiency.
Manufacturing Location: VIN decoding can pinpoint manufacturing details, such as the Toyota Avalon being assembled in Georgetown, Kentucky, USA, by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.

Don’t have your 1997 Toyota Avalon’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Toyota Avalon

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Cooling Type	Water
Displacement (CC)	3000.0
Displacement (CI)	183.07123228419
Displacement (L)	3.0
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Brake (hp) From	184
Engine Brake (hp) To	217
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Manufacturer	Toyota
Engine Model	1MZ-FE
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
Engine Stroke Cycles	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Model	Avalon
Model Year	1997
Plant City	Georgetown
Plant Company Name	Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Kentucky
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	MCX10L
Vehicle Descriptor	4T1BF12B*VU
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	4T1BF12B0VU135812