VIN Decoding

[Eric]

My Decoding of Mazda3 VINs (Vehicle Information Numbers) runs as follows:

Typical VIN is something like JM1BK143X51xxxxxx

Digit 1, J = Japan
2-3, M1 = Mazda
4, B = Restraint System: Belts, Active Airbag
5, K = Mazda3
6, 1 = Transmission: 1 = Manual, 3 = Automatic
7, 4 = Body Style: 4 = Hatchback, 2 = Sedan
8, 3 = Engine: 3 = 2.3L, F= 2.0L
9, X = Check digit: calculated from the others digits to guarantee a valid VIN
10, 5 = Style Year: 5 = 2005, 4 = 2004
11, 1 = Assembly Plant: 1 = Hofu, Yamaaguchi, Japan
12-17, xxxxxx = Product Sequence Number: Unique serial number for each car.

Can anyone add to this, or contradict it by providing a VIN that demonstrates that some
part of this decoding is obviously wrong?

Many Thanks
Eric

--
2005 Mazda3 Sport GT, MT, Titanium Gray.
At Sea as we speak.

[majic]

these 2 links decoded most of my vin

http://www.analogx.com/contents/vinview.htm
https://www.fleet.ford.com/maintenance/vin_tools/default.asp

so u can check it out how it fares vs your decoding

[Eric]

Yes, I saw those sites. What my decoding adds, is what the digits 5, 6, 7 and 8 (which are model specifc) mean.

Eric
--
2005 Mazda3 Sport GT, MT, Titanium Gray.
At Sea as we speak.

[nifty6]

Might have missed it but none of the mentioned decoders searches tells me the colour of the car? Isn\'t that what this thread is about? Or is the clour code located at a different area on the car? As for colour I remember a friend of ours daughter was shopping for a car and the salesman said cars painted RED would cost more for insurance.. RED = race. I think it was more they didn\'t have red in stock and was trying to sell the same car in a different colour to make a sale...


Should have posted this in the \"Car insurance and Colour\"

[MazdaPilot]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but your decoding may be wrong, Eric. I have an example of an automatic transmission Mazda3 with a VIN JM1BK12F*********. According to your deciphering it should have been JM1BK31F*********. There is another thread here http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?9995-VIN-Breakdown that suggests the 6th entry indicates the equipped airbags and not the transmission.