For Classic Volkswagens, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is particularly important. The chassis number on the car is the only sure-fire way to identify the origin of a VW. Because so many classic VW parts are interchangeable, the vehicles appearance and/or parts are not always telling of the vehicles origin.

• Engine Serial Number Decoder
• Vw Bus Serial Number Decoder Chart

1. Lookup vehicle identification number is the first thing you should do before you buy a used car. Get Vehicle History Report Vindecoder.eu can decode make, model, model year, body, trim, engine, transmission and other car parts in Europe, US as well as on other markets.
2. Therefore while the chassis number of Australian models will indicate the German-style 'model year', they do not necessarily correspond with when the vehicle. All Volkswagens made after 1 August 1979 (that is, 1980 models onwards) use the Standardised International Vehicle Identification Numbering (VIN) system.

More About Volkswagen Vehicle Identification

The longevity of production with few fundamental changes paired with the interchangeability of air-cooled VW parts can make identifying your classic Volkswagen a challenge. The only sure-fire way to identify your VW is by checking the VIN.
The Vehicle Identification Numbers are the numbers that correctly identify your vintage Volkswagen. VIN numbers can help you to identify the original parts that came stock in your VW and ensure that you order the correct parts for your vehicle. In some cases where vehicles had split production years VIN's are crucial to ordering the correct fit part. Below are images of vehicle identification number badges on a 1969 VW Beetle.

The onset of mass vehicle production in the mid-1950s led to the inception of vehicle identification numbers. Automobile manufacturers began stamping the vehicles and their parts with unique VINs in order to give an accurate description of the mass produced vehicle.
For Classic Volkswagens, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is particularly important. The chassis number on the car is the only sure-fire way to identify the origin of a VW. Because so many classic VW parts are interchangeable, the vehicles appearance and/or parts are not always telling of the vehicles origin.

Why is it important to identify the origin of your VW?

The VIN on your classic Volkswagen is critical to identifying the stock parts that were used in your vehicle the year it was built. Your VW's identification number gives you the most accurate information about your vehicle.
All Volkswagens were built according to a calendar year prior to 1955. On August 1, 1955, 'a model year' was established. In some instanced, many exterior changes and inside improvements were made during a particular year's production. The older the VW, the more difficult it is to spot the changes.
Before VIN numbers were standardized, VW used a combination of the Chassis Number and the Engine Code to convey information about the vehicles. A standard format for vehicle identification didn't come about until the late 1970s.
The VIN can be found in several locations, most commonly under the rear seat, on the door frame/post of the front doors, or on the dashboard near the windshield. Additionally, for the VW Bus, the VIN may be located on the car's firewall. The engine code may be found on the machine pad on front of the engine. These numbers are far more reliable than the information provided on the vehicle's title, registration or any other documents.

This video was made in house at JBugs and offer advice on purchasing an air-cooled VW restoration project car. The video also contains information about how and where to find the your VW Beetle's Identification Number.

We can divide Volkswagen cars into two groups that will have different ways of decoding their identification numbers. The first group is the vehicles produced prior to 1980 and the second one is the vehicles manufactured after 1982. There was no consistency in numbering the cars of the first group, so decoding might become a problem if you choose to do this. Let's consider the variant of using the Volkswagen VIN decoder after 1982 of vehicles. They all are made according to the worldwide ISO standards.

Engine Serial Number Decoder

Each car possesses a non-repeatable 17-digit code consisting of letters and figures and it is unique. You can search for the VIN code on the dash on the passenger's side of the windscreen. You can see it from the outside just near the wipers. Another location can be seen below the dash between the seats. You can ask the owner of the engine to guide you through the other locations where the VIN code is stamped or located on the sticker. The Volkswagen VIN decoder deciphers the codes of the vehicles that meet the requirements of the ISO standards.

The first three symbols (WMI) of the number define the manufacturer and the continent where the car was produced. If you want a true American, search for figure 1 at the beginning of the code. If you possess no time for decoding and searching for the data on your own, use the Volkswagen VIN decoder to find out the data about the country of origin of your future car. You don't have to divide the code into parts, paste the whole piece and check what you need.

VW VIN Decoder

There's a secret part of the number that indicates that you're looking at the American Volkswagen. Take a look at the fourth, fifth and the sixth characters of the code. If you see ZZZ, the car was produced in Europe and for the European market. If not, you see the American car. The VW VIN decoder will give you the full data about the vehicle. However, now you know how to make a tiny decoding on your own. One more thing that you can decode is the first number of the identification code. If it's 1 to 5, the car was manufactured in the USA. If you see a letter, it was produced somewhere else.

Deciphering the VIN code is not just a game for the adults to save time from everyday routine. A great option that a VIN code can give you is choosing the color of the paint if you there are any scratches on the surface. You will get the code of the color and you will be able to save the original look of the car. The Volkswagen engine number decoder will inform you how many seats there are inside of the car. The color and the material of the interior, the number of airbags and seat belts. All this information should be checked by you on a real car before you make a purchase.

Since 2007, the long-wheelbase Wranglers were four-door models, offering over 20 in (508 mm) more room. 2004 jeep wrangler columbia edition value. In 2005 both an automatic and manual 6-speed (NSG-370) were offered. In 2004 only automatic transmission equipped “Unlimited” versions were sold.

Vw Bus Serial Number Decoder Chart

There are the symbols that indicate the model year of the car. If the decoder shows you that your VW Jetta was produced in 2010 and the registration card gives you another year, don't worry. The model year has nothing to do with the date of the production. At the end of the code, there's a serial number of this very car. It's also unique and it's not usually deciphered as it doesn't contain any useful information for the owner of the vehicle.

Volkswagen Sample VIN

• 3VV0B7AX1JM004766 — 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan S 4Motion AWD (2.0L L4 DOHC 16V TURBO), SPORT UTILITY 4-DR
• 3VWD17AJ5FM266938 — 2015 Volkswagen Jetta SE 6A (1.8L L4 DOHC 20V), SEDAN 4-DR
• WVWHP7AN0BE724956 — 2011 Volkswagen CC Luxury (2.0L L4 DOHC 16V TURBO), SEDAN 4-DR
• 9BWEL61J774011657 — 2007 Volkswagen City Golf Base (2.0L L4 SOHC 8V), HATCHBACK 4-DR
• WVGCM77L14D057179 — 2004 Volkswagen Touareg V8 (4.2L V8 DOHC 40V), SPORT UTILITY 2-DR