Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Structure of the vehicle identification number (VIN)
The vehicle identification number (VIN, VIN) consists of 17 characters. These characters can be sorted into seven groups.
For instance, the basic structure of the vehicle identification number WVWZZZCBZLE400953 is explained as follows. This is just an example.
|
Group |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Position |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
|
Example |
W |
V |
W |
Z |
Z |
Z |
C |
B |
Z |
M |
E |
4 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
5 |
3 |
Vehicle manufacturer identification:
- WVW
- Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles
- WVG
- VW Touareg/Auto 5000 AMPV
- 1VW
- Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Volkswagen de México, S.A. de C.V
- 3VW
- Volkswagen de México, S.A. de C.V
- XW8
- LLC Volkswagen Group Rus (Volkswagen/Skoda Kaluga)
- MFB
- Garuda Matraman Motor (Indonesia)
Filler characters: The filler characters may vary depending on manufacturer, or contain information on the body shape and transmission type.
Vehicle class, depending on model:
- 3H
- Arteon
- 5T
- Touran
- 6R
- Polo
- AC
- T-Roc convertible
- BV
- Golf
- CB
- Passat
- CA
- Atlas
Depending on the manufacturer, digits 7 to 9 can also contain information on the fuel type (7) and vehicle class (8 and 9).
Filler characters or check characters: The filler characters may vary depending on manufacturer.
VIN index, depending on model year:
- M
- 2021
- N
- 2022
- P
- 2023
- R
- 2024
Production location, plant where the vehicle was manufactured:
- C
- Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga
- D
- Volkswagen plant in Bratislava
- E
- Volkswagen plant in Emden
- G, K
- Volkswagen plant in Kaluga
- M
- Volkswagen plant in Puebla
- P
- Volkswagen plant in Zwickau
- T
- Volkswagen plant in Pune
- V, U
- Volkswagen plant in Palmela
- W
- Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg
- Y
- Volkswagen plant in Pamplona
Sequential production number for each model year.
Position of the vehicle identification number
Fig. 164 In the windshield: vehicle identification number (VIN)
The VIN can be read from the outside through the viewing window in the windshield. The viewing window is at the side of the lower section of the windshield.
In some models, it may be possible to display the VIN in the Service menu or in the vehicle settings, depending on the Infotainment system. The vehicle identification number may also be located on the identification label.
The VIN may also be stamped in the following locations, depending on the model, market, and engine:
-
In the right water drain channel in the engine/motor compartment
-
On the right suspension strut tower in the engine/motor compartment
-
In the engine compartment near the hinge for the hood on the right side of the vehicle.
-
Under the carpet behind the right front seat
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