Most Porsche Cayman VINs open with WP0 (Germany, 2007–2016). Position 11, the plant, shows 2 codes, most often K (52%); a 2016 Cayman carries G in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 5 recall campaigns and 31 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Porsche Cayman VIN
Here is a real 2016 Porsche Cayman VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN WP0AA2A82GK171641 — 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. |
Porsche Cayman VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
Every Porsche Cayman we have on record, from 2007 to 2016, opens with the same three characters, WP0:
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WP0 | 2007–2016 | Germany | Passenger Car |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Porsche Cayman it is not one number either — assembly moved between 2 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| K | 2014–2016 | 16 | |
| U | 2007–2011 | 14 |
Counted from 31 dated Porsche Cayman VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Porsche Cayman
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Porsche Cayman has not yet outlived: its 11 years still map one-to-one. All 11 model years of the Porsche Cayman, 2006 to 2016, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | G | — |
| 2015 | F | — |
| 2014 | E | — |
| 2013 | D | — |
| 2012 | C | — |
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Porsche Cayman VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 40 VINs the Porsche Cayman uses 5 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | A (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | B (60%) · A (35%) · C (5%) | 3 distinct |
| 8 — engine | 8 (100%) | 1 distinct |
What a decoded Porsche Cayman VIN gets you
Behind a Porsche Cayman VIN: 31 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 5 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 31 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 24 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 11 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Porsche Cayman
A Porsche Cayman VIN normally opens with WP0; 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 Porsche Cayman VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 5 recall campaigns and 31 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Porsche Cayman.
What year is my Cayman by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2016 Cayman carries G, a 2015 Cayman carries F, a 2014 Cayman carries E.
Where was my Cayman built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 31 dated Porsche Cayman VINs it reads K 52%, U 45%.
What does position 4 mean on a Porsche Cayman VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 40 Porsche Cayman VINs here, A 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 Porsche Cayman check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with WP0. 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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