Corolla VERSION identification - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ToyField · 08-24-2011, 04:59 PM

Can anyone help? I'm in Rio de Janeiro and have just bought a Corolla Fielder 2005. As documentation has no mention of VERSION (XEi or Xl or SEg), and, unlike the sedan model, this is not mentioned on rear of vehicle, I'd like to know how to identify which one it is. Can we know just from the car's characteristics, such as: automatic, ABS, leather seats, no. of airbags etc ? Is there a metal ID plate somewhere inside ? Can I discover the version by decoding the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and if so, can you indicate where I would find this number?

Also, I'm wondering if there'd be any problem if I had the factory-fitted sound system removed and replaced by an MP3 player of any make ?

I'd b very grateful.

Cheers,
BRIAN

invader · 08-24-2011, 06:36 PM

Look for your VIN at base of windshield on driver's side.

ToyField · 08-24-2011, 11:11 PM

INVADER, Many thanks. I'll take a look for the VIN on the windshield from inside and outside the car. I presume I'll still need to decodify to discover the version. I'll let you know how I get on. Cheers, BRIAN (ToyField)

ToyField · 08-25-2011, 08:31 PM

Hi INVADER, Well, following your advice, I looked for my VIN on the windshield, driver's side. Sure enough, there's an engraved no., but it has only 9 digits, not 17. Under the bonnet, high up on the firewall, there's a number mixed with letters, 17 altogether. The insurance inspector explained that the "BR" in this indicates: "Made in Brazil". The last 8 digits are the same as those on the windshield. So, maybe what I take to be the Chassi No. is also the VIN. I'll also check doors and doorframes for other numbers. Thanks again for your kind help. Cheers, BRIAN

invader · 08-26-2011, 12:35 AM

The 17 character VIN up on the firewall should be it then. It's usually seen through the windshield from outside, on bottom driver's side corner.