Free 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code made up of three characters at the beginning of a vehicle’s identification number (VIN) that specifies the manufacturer and the region where the vehicle was built. In the case of the 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon, the WMI “WV2” indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., specifically classified as a multipurpose passenger vehicle. This code also tells us the vehicle was produced in Herndon, Virginia, USA. WMIs are crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and regulatory compliance, serving as a globally recognized standard for automotive identification. Through the WMI, each vehicle carries a stamp of its manufacturing origin and type.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon

WMI: WV2

• Model Years Covered: 1984-1991
• Example VIN: WV2YB0250JH016676
• Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
• City: Herndon
• State or Province: Virginia
• Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon 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 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon:

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 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon 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 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon

The final 6 characters in a 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that it may be from the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN encodes the production details, including the plant city of Hannover and the country Germany, showcasing the vehicle’s geographic manufacturing origins with a certain level of probability.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN provides specific details about this Vanagon model, such as it possibly being a multipurpose passenger vehicle with a Van body class and Camper trim, potentially highlighting its intended use and features.
• Engine Information: It can identify potential key engine specifications, such as a 4-cylinder engine with a possible capability of producing 90 horsepower, designed to meet certain performance and efficiency standards.
• Fuel Type: The VIN specifies that the primary fuel type for this vehicle might be gasoline, possibly providing insights into the vehicle’s potential environmental impact and fuel consumption patterns.
• Safety Features: With mentions of an “Active Belt” under other restraint system information, the VIN may suggest the potential presence of certain safety features designed to protect occupants in case of an accident.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It categorizes the vehicle within Class 1, indicating it may have a gross vehicle weight rating of 6,000 lb or less, which can be crucial for understanding vehicle performance and legal transportation requirements to a certain extent.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon