How to decode a 2013 Volkswagen Passat VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2013 Volkswagen Passat VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designated to identify the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of assembly, and type. For the 2013 Volkswagen Passat, the WMI “1VW” is associated with Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., indicating that the vehicle is a passenger car produced in the United States. Specifically, the “1VW” code points to a manufacturing location in Herndon, Virginia. This code is crucial for vehicle identification, tracking, and registration purposes, confirming the Passat’s manufacturing origins and specifications as outlined by Volkswagen for the North American market.

List of WMI Codes for a 2013 Volkswagen Passat

WMI: 1VW

Model Years Covered: 2012-2022
Example VIN: 1VWAH7A30DC005540
Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Herndon
State or Province: Virginia
Country: United States WMI: WVW
Model Years Covered: 1992, 1995, 1997-2011, 2013
Example VIN: WVWRP7AN0DE504126
Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen AG
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Wolfsburg
State or Province:
Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2013 Volkswagen Passat VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

Engine type
Transmission
Model or trim
Body style
Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2013 Volkswagen Passat:

Known VDS for a 2013 Volkswagen Passat
AH7A3	CP7A3	RP7AN	HU7AN	BN7AN	BM7A3	CN7A3	RN7AN	AP7A3	CM7A3
BN7A3	CH7A3	AN7AN	GU7AN	AP7AN	BP9A3	BP7AN	BH7A3	BP7A3

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2013 Volkswagen Passat VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 2013 Volkswagen Passat VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
D	2013

11th Character in the 2013 Volkswagen Passat VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2013 Volkswagen Passat Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Example VIN
B	Brussels		Belgium	1VWBN7A3XDB148711
C	Chattanooga	Tennessee	United States	1VWAH7A30DC005540
E	Emden		Germany	WVWRP7AN0DE504126
V	Palmela		Portugal	1VWBP9A37DV048005
W	Wolfsburg		Germany	1VWAP7A37DW142735

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2013 Volkswagen Passat

The final 6 characters in a 2013 Volkswagen Passat’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2013 Volkswagen Passat’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2013 Volkswagen Passat is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Volkswagen Passat, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield.
Examine the door pillar on the driver’s side when you open the front door; the VIN might be on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
Check under the hood where the engine bay is - the Volkswagen Passat usually has the VIN on a plate or sticker near the front of the engine block.
Look in the trunk area; sometimes, the VIN can be found on the floor right next to the spare tire, or on the side walls.
If you have maintenance paperwork or insurance documents, the VIN for your Volkswagen Passat will be listed there.

What info can a 2013 Volkswagen Passat VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year to be 2013, which provides insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: The Volkswagen Passat features a 5-cylinder engine with a displacement of 2,480 cc (151.34 ci) and is capable of generating up to 170 horsepower, reflecting the vehicle’s power capacity.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN indicates that the Passat is classified as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, outlining the vehicle’s structure and passenger accessibility.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, indicating what kind of fuel the car is designed to use.
Safety Features: The VIN data suggests that this model comes equipped with curtain airbags in the first row for both the driver and passenger, front airbags in the same locations, and side airbags, emphasizing the vehicle’s focus on passenger safety.
Emission Information: The Passat is classified under the 50-St. BIN 3/PZEV emission standards, providing insight into its environmental impact and compliance.
Manufacturing Information: According to the VIN data, the Passat was assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, contributing to the vehicle’s history and origin.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2013 Volkswagen Passat

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Displacement (CC)	2480
Displacement (CI)	151.338885354
Displacement (L)	2.480000
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	170
Engine Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Engine Number of Cylinders	5
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Model	Passat
Model Year	2013
Other Engine Info	BIN 5 emission. Emissions Certification Test Group: DVWXV02.5U3M/DVWXV02.5U3A
Other Restraint System Info	Active Seat Belt Advanced Front Air Bags.
Plant City	Chattanooga
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Tennessee
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Trendline
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Indirect
Vehicle Descriptor	1VWAH7A3*DC
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	1VWAH7A30DC005540