Free 1988 Volvo 240 Series VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Volvo 240 Series VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Volvo 240 Series VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are integral to a vehicle’s unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving as the initial sequence that denotes the manufacturer and the region where the vehicle was produced. Specifically, for the 1988 Volvo 240 Series, the WMI code is “YV1,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by Volvo Car Corporation in Sweden. This portion of the VIN is crucial for distinguishing where and by whom a vehicle was made, offering insights into the standards and specifications relevant to that manufacturer and region. The code is assigned by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and is standardized globally, ensuring that each vehicle can be accurately identified and traced back to its origins. For Volvo 240 Series vehicles from 1981 to 1993, including models from 1988, “YV1” is the WMI that underscores their Swedish heritage and Volvo’s manufacturing identity.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Volvo 240 Series

WMI: YV1

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1993
• Example VIN: YV1AX885XJ1789522
• Manufacturer Name: Volvo Car Corporation
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City:
• State or Province:
• Country: Sweden

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1988 Volvo 240 Series 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 1988 Volvo 240 Series:

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 1988 Volvo 240 Series 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 1988 Volvo 240 Series VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 Volvo 240 Series VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Volvo 240 Series Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Volvo 240 Series

The final 6 characters in a 1988 Volvo 240 Series’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Volvo 240 Series’s VIN below:

What info can a 1988 Volvo 240 Series VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year to be 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN can uncover where the vehicle was manufactured, such as in Gothenburg, Vastergotland, Sweden, providing insights into its origin.
• Vehicle Specifications: Essential information such as the make being a 240 Series, with a body class of Sedan/Saloon, is typically encoded within the VIN, providing details about the vehicle’s specific model and design.
• Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including the model B230FS1 with 4 cylinders, can be discovered through the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s engine type and performance capabilities.
• Safety Features: The type of seat belt and other restraint systems, such as a 3-Point Seat Belt, are examples of safety features that can be inferred, indicating the safety provisions of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Weight Class: The VIN can indicate the vehicle type as a Passenger Car and its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, falling within Class 1 (6,000 lb or less), providing information about the vehicle’s weight capacity.
• Doors: Information on the number of doors, which in this case is 4, can also be gleaned, offering a fuller picture of the vehicle’s structure and design.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Volvo 240 Series