Visitor # 227877 since 04.MAR.2002
A lot of information can be gleaned from theVehicle Identification Number (VIN) of your Volkswagen. Prior to 1980, VW used a proprietary VIN system, so this data only applies to 1980 and newer vehicles. Some of the links below have some information on the earlier VIN system.
Below is an example VIN with each section linked to the corresponding decoded descriptions.
DIGIT: 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 ----------------------------------- W V W D B 4 5 0 5 L K 2 3 4 5 6 7 ----------------------------------- WMI.. VDS........ VIS............
WMI - World Manufacture Index
VDS - Vehicle Descriptor Section
VIS - Vehicle Identifier Section
Other VW-VIN decoding sites may have additional or updated information (these tend to change over time, try them all):
A - Audi
B - VW of Brazil
V - Volkswagen
1 - Pickup / truck
2 - MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle)
U - Passenger Car (Audi)
W - Passenger Car (VW)
? - Base Model
? - Sport Truck
L - LX
A - 1983-88 2 Door Basic
B - 1983-88 2 Door Custom
C - 1983-88 2 Door Deluxe
D - 1983-88 2 Door Sport
E - 1983-88 4 Door Basic
F - 1983-88 4 Door Custom
G - 1983-88 4 Door Deluxe
A - 1983-88 2 Door Basic
B - 1983-88 2 Door Custom
C - 1983-88 2 Door Deluxe
D - 1983-88 2 Door Sport
A - 1983-89 2 Door Basic
B - 1983-88 2 Door Custom
C - 1983-89 2 Door Deluxe
D - 1983-89 2 Door Sport
D - 1990-92 2 Door Sport
E - 1992-94 2 Door SLC
E - 1995 2 Door SLC
U - 2 door Pickup
V - 3 door double cab Pickup
W - 3 door Delivery Van
X - 1983-88 Kombi
Y - 1983-92 3 door Bus (Vanagon)
Z - 1983-92 3 door Camper
H - EuroVan CL
K - EuroVan GL
C - 4 Door GLS
D - 4 Door Wagon GLS
E - 4 Door GLX
F - 4 Door Wagon GLX
F - 4 Door Custom GL
G - 4 Door Wagon GL
H - 4 Door Base
J - 4 Door Deluxe GLX / GLS
N - 4 Door Wagon Custom GLX
A - Lowest output gas engine
B - 2nd lowest output gas engine
C - ...
D-..., typically VR6
E - ...
F - 2nd lowest output diesel engine (1.6/1.9L TD/TDI)
G - Lowest output diesel (1.5/1.6L)
Listed by increasing output available for each model;
contact dealer for detailed engine information.
0 - Active; i.e. Manual seatbelt
2 - Passive w/Manual Lap Belt
4 - ELRA (motorized)
5 - Active Belts w/Driver Air Bag
6 - Front and side Air Bags
8 - Active Belts w/Dual Air Bags
9 - Passive
15 - 1983-93 Convertible, Cabriolet
16 - 1983-88 Jetta
17 - 1980?-92 Rabbit, Pickup, Golf, GTi
1C - New Beetle
1E - 1995 Cabrio
1G - 1989-92 Golf / Jetta
1H - 1993-95 Golf / Jetta
24 - VW Transporter (Pickup and Multivan)
25 - 1983-92 Vanagon, Transporter Van
30 - 1987-93 Fox
31 - 1990-95 Passat
32 - 1983-88 Quantum 2 Door and 4 Door
33 - 1985-88 Quantum Station Wagon and Quattro
3A - 1995 Passat
43 - Audi 5000 / older
44 - Audi 5000/100/200/V8
4A - Audi S4/100CS/V8
50 - 1990-95 Corrado
53 - 1983-88 Scirocco
60 - 1994-95 Corrado
70 - EuroVan
78 - Passat?
81 - Audi 4000
83 - Audi 4000
85 - Audi Coupe GT
89 - Audi 90
8A - Audi 90
8B - Audi Coupe
Manufacturer's Internal Code
A - 1980
B - 1981
C - 1982
D - 1983
E - 1984
F - 1985
G - 1986
H - 1987
J - 1988
K - 1989
L - 1990
M - 1991
N - 1992
P - 1993
R - 1994
S - 1995
T - 1996
V - 1997
W - 1998
X - 1999
Y - 2000
1 - 2001
2 - 2002
A - Ingolstadt
B - Brussels
E - Emden
G - Graz
H - Hanover
K - Osnabruck
M - Mexico
N - Neckarsulm
P - Brazil
S - Stuttgart
V - Westmoreland, PA. (USA)
W - Wolfsburg
Y - Spain (SEAT)
[Last updated: 26.March.2021]