Most Mazda 626 VINs open with JM1 (Japan, 1983–1995). Position 11, the plant, shows 7 codes, most often 5 (93%); a 2002 626 carries 2 in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 23 recall campaigns and 2,225 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Mazda 626 VIN
Here is a real 1999 Mazda 626 VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 1YVGF22C9X5815952 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Mazda 626 VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
Every Mazda 626 we have on record, from 1983 to 1995, opens with the same three characters, JM1:
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JM1 | 1983–1995 | Japan | Passenger Car |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Mazda 626 it is not one number either — assembly moved between 7 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 1985–2002 | 2,064 | |
| 1 | 1983–1995 | 121 | |
| S | 1993–2000 | 8 | |
| 0 | 1993–2001 | 5 | |
| 8 | 1990–1999 | 4 | |
| 6 | 1990–1997 | 4 | |
| K | 1989–2001 | 3 |
Counted from 120 dated Mazda 626 VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Mazda 626
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Mazda 626 has not yet outlived: its 22 years still map one-to-one. All 22 model years of the Mazda 626, 1981 to 2002, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 | — |
| 2001 | 1 | — |
| 2000 | Y | — |
| 1999 | X | — |
| 1998 | W | — |
| 1997 | V | — |
| 1996 | T | — |
| 1995 | S | — |
| 1994 | R | — |
| 1993 | P | — |
| 1992 | N | — |
| 1991 | M | — |
| 1990 | L | — |
| 1989 | K | — |
| 1988 | J | — |
| 1987 | H | — |
| 1986 | G | — |
| 1985 | F | — |
| 1984 | E | — |
| 1983 | D | — |
| 1982 | C | — |
| 1981 | B | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Mazda 626 VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 2 VINs the Mazda 626 uses 5 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | G (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | C (50%) · F (50%) | 2 distinct |
| 8 — engine | 2 (50%) · C (50%) | 2 distinct |
What a decoded Mazda 626 VIN gets you
Behind a Mazda 626 VIN: 2,225 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 23 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 2,225 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 24 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 22 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Mazda 626
A Mazda 626 VIN normally opens with JM1; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Mazda 626 VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 23 recall campaigns and 2,225 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Mazda 626.
What year is my 626 by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2002 626 carries 2, a 2001 626 carries 1, a 2000 626 carries Y.
Where was my 626 built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 2,211 dated Mazda 626 VINs it reads 5 93%, 1 5%, S 0%, 0 0% and 3 rarer codes.
What does position 4 mean on a Mazda 626 VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 2 Mazda 626 VINs here, G is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Mazda 626 check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with JM1. A plate that starts with anything else, or disagrees with the other copies of the number, needs documents checked before any money changes hands.
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