Decode a Miata VIN Number
I've noticed that many of the VIN number decoders currently out there give you an error if you feed them a VIN from the third-generation Miata. To that end, here is a guide on decoding Miata VINs all the way through MY09.
Update: You can also use our new Miata VIN Decoder to automatically decode your VIN.
Let's take a couple of example VINs from some cars for sale on AutoTrader:
We'll start with JM1NC25F680150517, here's how you break it up:
J Indicates the car's country of origin is Japan. Could vary with other models, but Miatas are built in Japan.
M Indicates the manufacturer, M is for Mazda.
1 Indicates the type of vehicle, 1 is for cars and every Miata is a car.
NC This is the generation indicator, NA is 1st Gen (1989-97), NB is 2nd Gen (1998-2004), NC is 3rd Gen (2005-Current)
25 This is the body-style indicator for all Mazda vehicles, convertibles are 35 (1st and 2nd Gen) and 25 (3rd Gen).
F Indicates the engine-size. 1 is 1.6 liter, 3 for the 1.8l, 4 for the 1.8l Turbo, and F is for 2.0l.
6 This is a"check digit" which can be any number 0-9, or letter A-Z and it has no meaning.
8 Indicates the model year, the following is a table of all the possible values through 2009.
1990=L 1995=S 2000=Y 2005=5 2010=A
1991=M 1996=T 2001=1 2006=6
1992=N 1997=V 2002=2 2007=7
1993=P 1998=W 2003=3 2008=8
1994=R 1999=X 2004=4 2009=9
0 Indicates the manufacturing plant, almost every Miata is a 0, indicating the Hiroshima plant, but a few Miatas built between 1991 and 1993 have a '1', but Mazda says all Miatas have been built in Hiroshima.
150517 This is your production number, every new model year resets the counter to 100000, so this car is #50,517 produced in 2008.
Onto the next example: JM1NA351XP0411034
J Japan
M Mazda
1 Car
NA 1st Generation
35 Early-year convertible body style
1 A 1.6 liter engine
X Check digit, meaningless
P MY1993
0 Manufactured in Hiroshima
411034 This was the 311,034th car produced in 1993
And that is how you decode a Mazda Miata VIN Number.