How to decode a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This code is the first three digits of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides specific information about the vehicle manufacturer, including to which country the manufacturer is registered, the type of vehicle they produce, and even the vehicle’s model year. For example, for the 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit, the WMI indicates that this vehicle was manufactured by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., showcasing its origin from the United States. Specifically, the WMI for this model is “1V1”, which reveals that it is a truck-type vehicle. This WMI confirms its manufacturing location as Herndon, Virginia, underlining the global footprint of vehicle production by the Volkswagen Group.
List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit
WMI: 1VW
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1984
- Example VIN: 1VWCG9174BV169045
- Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Herndon
- State or Province: Virginia
- Country: United States WMI: 1V1
- Model Years Covered: 1981-1982
- Example VIN: 1V1KB0170BV075627
- Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Vehicle Type: Truck
- City: Herndon
- State or Province: Virginia
- Country: United States
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit 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 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit:
| Known VDS for a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CG917 | KB017 | LG017 | KG017 |
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 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit 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 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Westmoreland | Nan | 1VWCG9174BV169045 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit
The final 6 characters in a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Volkswagen Rabbit’s VIN below:
How to find a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Volkswagen Rabbit. The VIN is often visible through the windshield on the lower corner.
- Inspect the door pillar on the driver’s side when the door is open. You can often locate the VIN on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
- Check under the hood of your Volkswagen Rabbit. The VIN might be stamped on the firewall or on a metal plate attached to the firewall.
- Look in the trunk area, specifically under the spare tire. Sometimes the VIN is located on a sticker or plate in this area.
- Examine the vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance documents, which will list the VIN of your Volkswagen Rabbit.
What info can a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year being the year 1981, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is classified as a Truck with a Pickup body style, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN illuminates key engine details, revealing a 1.6-liter engine with a displacement of 1600 CC, 97.64 CI, and a configuration of 4 cylinders, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s performance.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type indicated is Diesel, offering insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact, potentially impacting the cost of ownership.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN provides specifics on the vehicle’s manufacturing location, pointing to Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, United States, indicating where the vehicle was assembled, which can have implications for the vehicle’s historical significance.
- Safety Features: An element of the vehicle’s safety system is highlighted by the mention of an Active Belt restraint system, pointing toward specific safety equipment installed in the vehicle, potentially impacting insurance rates and overall safety.
- Model and Trim: Detailed information can be gleaned regarding the model and trim; in this instance specifying the vehicle as a Rabbit Deluxe (Pickup), which helps define vehicle features and market position, potentially influencing maintenance and repair costs.
Don’t have your 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Displacement (CC) | 1588 |
| Displacement (CI) | 96.905705622 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.588000 |
| Doors | 3 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 52 |
| Engine Manufacturer | VWoA |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Diesel |
| 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 | Rabbit |
| Model Year | 1981 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Passive belt |
| Plant City | Westmoreland |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 1VWCG917*BV |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | 1VWCG9174BV169045 |
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today