How to Check and Decode an Oldsmobile VIN
An Oldsmobile’s VIN can be found on the driver’s side of the dashboard or on the passenger’s side front door hinge.
Written by Brittni Brinn
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
You can find your
Oldsmobile’s
VIN number on the driver’s side of the dashboard, the passenger’s side front door hinge, or your vehicle registration. The VIN is a 17-digit alphanumeric code containing the vehicle’s country of origin, manufacturer, model year, and where it was assembled. To register your vehicle or find the proper replacement parts for your Oldsmobile, you’re going to need its
vehicle identification number
(VIN). A sequence of 17 digits, the VIN contains all the necessary information about your vehicle for registration, legal, and repair purposes.To help you unlock the history and the specifications of your Oldsmobile—all of which is contained in the VIN—
Jerry
has put together a handy guide. Here, we’ll go over how to find the VIN and what each segment means. We'll also show you how Jerry can help you save on your Oldsmobile insurance costs
, so keep reading!Jerry sends free alerts to keep your car up-to-date so you can avoid costly repairs
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
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* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
How to check your Oldsmobile’s VIN
The VIN, or vehicle identification number, is a sequence of 17 numbers and letters that is unique to your vehicle.
You can find your Oldsmobile’s VIN in the following locations:
- On your car’s insurance and title documents
- Your vehicle registration
- On the driver’s side of your dashboard
- A sticker on the passenger’s side door hinge
Your Oldsmobile should have the VIN listed in these places, but some vehicles also have the VIN printed on the chassis, the engine, or under the spare tire.
How to decode an Oldsmobile VIN
You’ll need your car’s VIN to access registration, insurance, and repair services—but how do those 17 digits contain so much information?
VINs started appearing in the 1950s, but were only standardized for global use in 1981 thanks in part to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Ever since, the 17-digit sequence can be decoded exactly the same way regardless of the model, manufacturer, or even where in the world a car was built.
You’ll see all ten single-digit numbers (0-9) used in a VIN. However, you may notice that some letters are never used. I, O, and Q are too close to 1, 0, and 9 and so have been left off of standard VINs.
First position: country of origin
Where in the world was your Oldsmobile made? The first three digits will give you the world manufacturer identifier (WMI) code, with the first number indicating the car’s country of origin.
For Oldsmobiles, the majority of cars were manufactured in Lansing, Michigan. A 1 indicates that the car was made in the United States.
MORE:
Oldsmobile logo history
Positions 2-3: manufacturer information
The next two digits give identifying information about the car’s manufacturer. For an Oldsmobile, the second digit in the VIN will be a G for General Motors. The third will indicate the type of vehicle—in this case, a 3 for an Oldsmobile.
MORE:
Who owns Oldsmobile?
Positions 4-8: vehicle-specific information
The next five numbers and/or letters is where the VIN gets a little tricky: this section of the VIN includes vehicle-specific information, from engine specifications to safety equipment included in your car. These digits also help determine the model and trim style for different vehicles.
Position 9: the VIN check digit
The ninth digit is the mysterious “check digit”—it’s a number or letter that doesn’t refer to anything about your vehicle at all. However, it provides a necessary safeguard against people who may try to falsify a VIN. The check digit is the stamp of authenticity for your Oldsmobile’s VIN.
Position 10: model year
For vehicles that have been around since 1981 (and even earlier in the Oldsmobile’s case!), the model year codes can get repetitive. VINs eventually have to re-use digits that already refer to earlier model years.
Oldsmobiles were only manufactured until 2004. Here’s a few examples of VIN model year codes:
Code | Year |
|---|---|
1 | 2001 |
2 | 2002 |
3 | 2003 |
4 | 2004 |
Position 11: assembly plant
The 11th digit of your Oldsmobile’s VIN tells you which manufacturing plant built your vehicle. Oldsmobile’s main plant was located in Lansing, Michigan with other plants operating in Georgia and Kansas until Oldsmobiles were discontinued in 2004.
Positions 12-17: vehicle serial number
The VIN’s last six digits are your vehicle’s one-of-a-kind serial number. Manufacturers may start these numbers differently depending on the make and year of your car.
How to find affordable Oldsmobile insurance
You won’t need your VIN to sign-up—Jerry's
trustworthy insurance comparison app
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