Saab VIN decoder for USA

Free Saab VIN Decoder to check car history and specifications for Saab USA

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 on your Saab?

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.

Where to find VIN - location Saab USA

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 USA 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.

VIN breakdown (Saab USA)

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:
5th characterMeaning
ASaab 9-5 Linear with driver airbag
BSaab 9-5 Linear with driver and passenger airbag
CSaab 9-5S/Arc with driver airbag
DSaab 9-5S/Arc with driver and passenger airbag
ESaab 9-5SE/Vector with driver airbag
FSaab 9-5SE/Vector with driver and passenger airbag
GSaab 9-5 Aero with driver airbag
HSaab 9-5 Aero with driver and passenger airbag
KSaab 9-5 Griffin with driver airbag
MSaab 9-5 Griffin with driver and passenger airbag
  • 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:
8th characterEngine
A2.3T B235L
C2.0 t, B205E
E2.3 t, B235E
G2.3 Turbo, B235R
D2.2 t D223L
L3.0 t D308L
Z3.0t, B308E

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:

CodeYearCodeYearCodeYearCodeYearCodeYearCodeYear
A1980L1990Y2000A2010L2020Y2030
B1981M199112001B2011M202112031
C1982N199222002C2012N202222032
D1983P199332003D2013P202332033
E1984R199442004E2014R202442034
F1985S199552005F2015S202552035
G1986T199662006G2016T202662036
H1987V199772007H2017V202772037
J1988W199882008J2018W202882038
K1989X199992009K2019X202992039

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 in the USA?

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 in the USA

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

FAQ

Can the VIN decoder tell me about the car's previous accidents or damage history?

Yes, vehicle history reports can provide information about accidents and the scale of damage made to a car.

How does the Saab VIN decoder provide information about recalls or service bulletins on the vehicle?

carVertical has access to 900+ relevant databases used by official dealerships and authorized service centers. Therefore, such records, if they’re available, appear in vehicle history reports.

Can a VIN decoder tell me if the Saab vehicle has ever been stolen or salvaged?

Yes, a vehicle history report can help you learn whether a vehicle has been stolen/salvaged in the past or is currently wanted as stolen.

Can I use a Saab VIN decoder to find out the car's manufacturing date and location?

Yes, you can either use a VIN decoder or manually decode a Saab VIN to find out its manufacturing date (10th character) and location (11th character).