I own a Miata (MX5), imported to South Africa.
I have the VIN but cannot figure out the year of manufacture.
VIN: JMZNA18B200117081

Please help

 

are you sure that is the vin number, the first 5 of a first gen miata are jm1na, the vin doenst match up with the decoder in any way really...
heres a link if you want to try it yourself.
vin number

 

I tried several decoders before and had the same results.
I found out that all the Miatas imported to SA apparently have the "Z" in the first few digits, etc.
Does anybody have any way of decoding this VIN?

 

A vin sequence for cars destined for North America might be completely different than ones for other markets.

You might look for date code stamps and castings for clues. Both interior and underhood components will have them in various places. I see them by accident from time to time.