Saab VIN decoder

What is Saab VIN?

Saab VIN is a unique code assigned to every Saab vehicle before leaving the factory. It consists of 17 characters (numbers and letters) and lets car owners and potential buyers learn more about a particular car.

Different sections of the Saab VIN hold general information about the vehicle’s origin and specifications, including model year, assembly plant, and specific features (e.g., engine, body style, etc.).

Moreover, as the VIN is also used to record various events that happen during the vehicle’s lifespan (accidents, damages, MOTs, theft, etc.), a VIN decoder can help uncover the car’s history, which is especially important if you’re buying a used Saab.

Saab initially started as an aircraft manufacturer in 1937, and has since diversified into various industries, including defense, security, and automotive. Over the years, Saab became known for its innovative and distinctive cars, often incorporating advanced safety features and aerodynamic designs.

Production of Saab cars officially stopped in 2014. The company faced challenges in securing sustainable financing and struggled to regain its position in the competitive automotive market. While no longer producing new cars, Saab's legacy and impact on the automotive industry are still noticeable, and its cars are still driven and cherished by fans.

Where to search for the VIN?

A vehicle’s VIN number is located in multiple areas and can depend on the brand. However, there are specific common places where the VIN is usually found in most cars.

Here’s where you can find the VIN in Saab vehicles:

• Driver’s side windshield
• Driver’s side door pillar (sometimes you can also find it on the passenger side)
• Near the firewall of the vehicle or on its steering column
• The VIN can also be found on the vehicle title, registration, or insurance papers

Make sure that VINs located in different places match and there are no signs of tampering.

What is Saab VIN decoder?

The VIN of a car serves two primary purposes. It helps identify the vehicle and is used to record various vehicle-related events, like registration, insurance, and even accidents. Therefore, you can perform a VIN number lookup and learn more about the particular car’s past.

For instance, you can learn about damage, ownership history, mileage discrepancies, title changes, and more by getting a full vehicle history report. Such information is crucial for buyers considering a used Saab. If you’re selling, you can use a vehicle history report for transparency, improving your chances of sealing the deal.

All you need to do is enter the car’s VIN into the VIN decoder. Remember that if a seller refuses to share the VIN, there’s probably something they would rather keep secret.

How accurate is the information provided by the Saab VIN decoder?

Using a Saab VIN decoder is a great way to learn more about a vehicle you own or one you plan to buy. The information provided by the carVertical VIN decoder is collected from over 900 reputable global sources, including state registries, insurance companies, auto repair shops, connected vehicle fleets, and many more, ensuring its legitimacy and accuracy.

How to decode a VIN number - Saab VIN breakdown

A Saab VIN consists of four sections – World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS), Security Check Digit, and Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS). Each section provides specific information about the vehicle.

While decoding a VIN is much simpler with a decoder, understanding the meaning of VIN characters can help you gain a few quick insights about a particular car.

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

The World Manufacturer Identifier section is the first three characters of the Saab VIN. Knowing what each of them represents lets you learn about the geographical area, country of origin, and the manufacturer of the vehicle.

Saab VINs typically start with “YS3,” denoting the region (Y=Northern Europe), the country where the car was built (S=Sweden), and the manufacturer (3=Saab Automobile AB). You can also come across such WMIs as YTN, YKI, JF4, or 5S3.

Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

The fourth to eighth character of the Saab VIN is called the Vehicle Descriptor Section. The VDS provides specific information about the vehicle’s characteristics, such as:

• 4th character – the model, e.g., E=9-5.
• 5th character – model series:

• 6th character – body type, e.g., 4=4-door, 5=5-door.
• 7th character – transmission type, e.g., 5=Manual 5-speed, 8=Automatic 4-speed, 9=Automatic 5-speed.
• 8th character – engine specifications:

Security Check Digit

The Security Check Digit (9th character in the Saab VIN) is created to detect errors and safeguard against tampering within the VIN system rather than convey vehicle-specific information.

The Security Check Digit is calculated using a dedicated algorithm known as the VIN formula. This formula uses the 16 remaining characters of the VIN, assigning distinct weights to each character. The Check Digit is derived based on the sum of these weighted values.

Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS)

The Vehicle Identifier Section is the remaining characters (10th-17th) of the Saab VIN.

The 10th character is the model year. All car makers, including Saab, use the same system shown below:

The 11th character represents the assembly plant. In the Saab VIN, it is typically 3 or 9, which denotes Trollhättan, Sweden.

12th to 17th is a serial or production number that is unique to every vehicle.

Is a Saab VIN decoder available for a free VIN check?

Technically, you can use the Saab VIN decoder for free, but a free version gives you limited information. The reason for this is simple – most of the information is not available free of charge.

A free VIN decoder mostly provides basic vehicle information. For instance, you can check the car’s make, model, and year of manufacture. In some cases, you can access even more data, like vehicle specifications.

However, when it comes to the vehicle history report, you need to delve into various paid databases worldwide. Not only is this data not free – a regular individual won’t always be able to simply buy it.

List of Saab models

• Saab 90
• Saab 9000
• Saab 900/9-3
• Saab 9-5
• Saab 9-3
• Saab 9-2X
• Saab 9-7X
• Saab 9-4X

Check car VIN number by make:

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