Free Volvo 960 Series VIN Decoder

How to decode a Volvo 960 Series VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Volvo 960 Series VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is crucial in identifying key attributes of a vehicle, including the manufacturer, model year, and vehicle type. For instance, the WMI YV1 signifies vehicles made by Volvo Car Corporation, specifically pointing to their 960 series produced between 1991 and 1997. These vehicles are categorized as passenger cars and are manufactured in Sweden. The WMI is essential for vehicle registration, identification, and regulatory purposes, providing a global standard for vehicle classification.

List of WMI Codes for a Volvo 960 Series

WMI: YV1

• Model Years Covered: 1991-1997
• Example VIN: YV1KA8752M0004489
• 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 Volvo 960 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 Volvo 960 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 Volvo 960 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 Volvo 960 Series VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Volvo 960 Series VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Volvo 960 Series Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Volvo 960 Series

The final 6 characters in a Volvo 960 Series’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a Volvo 960 Series VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 1993, providing insights into the age and potential technological features of the vehicle.
• Engine Specifications: Information such as the engine model being B6304S, manufacturer Volvo, a displacement of 2.9 liters (2900 cc or 176.96 CI), and configuration as In-Line with six cylinders offers detailed insights into the vehicle’s powertrain and performance characteristics.
• Body Class and Size: The VIN discloses the vehicle’s body class as a Wagon with 5 doors, giving a clear picture of its design and utility aspects.
• Fuel Type: The VIN specifies the primary fuel type as Gasoline, which is essential for understanding energy efficiency and operational costs.
• Safety Features: The VIN indicates the locations of front airbags in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, which is crucial for assessing the vehicle’s safety provisions.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN includes manufacturing details such as the plant city as Kalmar, country as Sweden, and additional emissions information, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s production origins and compliance standards.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN reveals that the vehicle falls within Class 1, indicating a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less, which is helpful for understanding the vehicle’s size category and potential usage implications.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Volvo 960 Series