Mazda VIN decoder
Mazda VIN decoder
Most Mazdas are built in Japan (JM1 for cars, JM3 for SUVs). The Mazda3 and CX-30 are also built in Salamanca, Mexico (3MZ and 3MV), and the CX-50 in Huntsville, Alabama. Older Mazda6 sedans came from Michigan (1YV).
Mazda WMI codes
The first three VIN characters. Verified against the NHTSA vPIC database.
| WMI | Manufacturer | Vehicle type | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1YV | Auto Alliance International, USA | Cars | United States |
| 3MV | Mazda Motor Manufacturing De Mexico S.A. De C.V. | SUVs, vans & crossovers | Mexico |
| 3MZ | Mazda Motor Manufacturing De Mexico S.A. De C.V. | Cars | Mexico |
| JM1 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Cars | Japan |
| JM3 | Mazda Motor Corporation | SUVs, vans & crossovers | Japan |
What to know about Mazda VINs
- JM1 is used for Mazda passenger cars built in Japan and JM3 for its SUVs.
- 1YV identifies Mazdas built at the former AutoAlliance plant in Flat Rock, Michigan.
- MX-5 Miatas are often tracked or modified; check accident and total-loss records.
Mazda models you can decode
- CX-5
- CX-50
- CX-30
- CX-90
- CX-70
- Mazda3
- Mazda6
- MX-5 Miata
- CX-9
Any 17-character Mazda VIN from the 1981 model year onwards can be decoded. Check open recalls for free on NHTSA.
How a Mazda VIN is built
All 17-character VINs for vehicles sold in the US follow the same structure.
Example: 5NPD74LF5LH611542
| Position | What it means | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country / region | Where the manufacturer is registered: 1, 4, 5 and 7 = United States, 2 = Canada, 3 = Mexico, J = Japan, K = South Korea, W = Germany. |
| 2–3 | Manufacturer | Positions 1–3 together form the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), assigned to one maker and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | Vehicle descriptor | Manufacturer-coded details such as model line, body style, restraint system, engine and gross weight rating. |
| 9 | Check digit | A 0–9 or X calculated from the other 16 characters. It catches typos and many fake VINs. |
| 10 | Model year | A letter or number for the model year. The codes repeat every 30 years (see the table below). |
| 11 | Assembly plant | The factory that built the vehicle. Plant codes are defined by each manufacturer. |
| 12–17 | Serial number | The production sequence number that makes the VIN unique. |
VIN model year chart (10th character)
Codes repeat every 30 years. On cars and light trucks, a letter in position 7 means the later year.
A
1980 · 2010
B
1981 · 2011
C
1982 · 2012
D
1983 · 2013
E
1984 · 2014
F
1985 · 2015
G
1986 · 2016
H
1987 · 2017
J
1988 · 2018
K
1989 · 2019
L
1990 · 2020
M
1991 · 2021
N
1992 · 2022
P
1993 · 2023
R
1994 · 2024
S
1995 · 2025
T
1996 · 2026
V
1997 · 2027
W
1998 · 2028
X
1999 · 2029
Y
2000 · 2030
1
2001 · 2031
2
2002 · 2032
3
2003 · 2033
4
2004 · 2034
5
2005 · 2035
6
2006 · 2036
7
2007 · 2037
8
2008 · 2038
9
2009 · 2039
The letters I, O, Q, U and Z and the number 0 are never used as year codes.
Where to find the VIN on a Mazda
- Lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side, readable from outside the car
- Sticker or plate on the driver’s door jamb (open the door)
- Title, registration card and insurance card
- Engine bay, often on the firewall or the front of the frame on trucks
- Seller’s listing or the dealer’s window sticker
The VIN on the car, the title and the listing must all match. If they do not, do not buy.
VinCode report · $5.99
Before you buy a used Mazda, check its history
Title brands, accidents, total-loss events, odometer readings, owners and service records for the VIN, scored with the VinCode Score.
- Title brand check
- Accidents & damage
- Odometer chart
- Owners & usage
- Service records
- VinCode Score
Where was my Mazda built?
Look at the first character: J means Japan, 3 means Mexico and 1 or 7 means the United States.
Does a Mazda VIN show the engine?
Yes. The descriptor section encodes the engine. Decode the VIN to see the engine and fuel type recorded for it.
Is the Mazda VIN decoder free?
Yes. Decoding a Mazda VIN is free. A full VinCode report with title brands, accidents, odometer readings and owners costs $5.99.
Does a Mazda VIN show accident history?
No. The VIN only encodes how the vehicle was built. Accident, damage and title history come from records reported for the VIN, which is what the VinCode report shows.