How to decode a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designating the vehicle manufacturer, where it was made, and the vehicle type. For example, a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle manufactured in Mexico by Volkswagen de Mexico SA de CV would have a WMI of 3VW. This code signifies that the vehicle is a passenger car produced in the Cuautlancingo Ciudad Puebla area of Mexico. The presence of this WMI in a Beetle’s VIN is a testament to Volkswagen’s global manufacturing presence, particularly in North America. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI is crucial for identifying its origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type accurately.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

WMI: 3VW

Model Years Covered: 1998-2010, 2012-2019
Example VIN: 3VWVA7AT0CM602691
Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen de Mexico SA de CV
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Cuautlancingo Ciudad Pueb
State or Province:
Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle 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 2012 Volkswagen Beetle:

Known VDS for a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle
VA7AT	V67AT	5P7AT	HP7AT	467AT	AX7AT	FP7AT	V87AT	7A7AT	JX7AT
AP7AT	4A7AT	HX7AT	JP7AT

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 2012 Volkswagen Beetle 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 2012 Volkswagen Beetle VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

11th Character in the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
M	Puebla		Mexico		3VWVA7AT0CM602691
P	Mosel		Germany		3VWHP7AT5CP623417

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

The final 6 characters in a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Volkswagen Beetle’s VIN below:

How to find a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Volkswagen Beetle is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Volkswagen Beetle, where the VIN is often found. It can be seen through the windshield on a plate near the bottom corner.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). It is common to find the VIN on a sticker or plate in this area on a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.
Check under the front hood. Sometimes the VIN can be located on the front engine block, or on a plate affixed to the body in the engine compartment.
Inspect the rear wheel well. Occasionally, the VIN is placed above the tire on the frame.
Look at the trunk area of your Beetle. The VIN might be located on the floor right below the spare tire, or on the wall of the trunk.
Review your vehicle’s title, registration, or insurance papers, which will list the VIN, providing a reliable source of information for your Volkswagen Beetle’s identification number.

What info can a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating it is a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: This vehicle is equipped with a 2.480L engine by Volkswagen, featuring 5 cylinders and producing 170 hp, possibly emphasizing the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN indicates a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback body style with 2 doors, potentially outlining the vehicle’s basic structure and design.
Safety Features: The vehicle is equipped with front and curtain airbags for both driver and passenger in the 1st row, and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) of the indirect type, suggesting a commitment to safety.
Fuel Type: It runs on gasoline, providing insights into the vehicle’s environmental footprint and potential fuel efficiency considerations.
Transmission Details: The vehicle features a 6-speed automatic transmission, indicating a balance between performance and convenience.
Manufacturing Information: The VIN specifies that the vehicle was manufactured in Puebla, Mexico, offering information about its production origin.

Don’t have your 2012 Volkswagen Beetle’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Displacement (CC)	2480
Displacement (CI)	151.338885354
Displacement (L)	2.480000
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	170.00
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	Beetle
Model Year	2012
Other Engine Info	Gasoline(Fed. Only) 50-St. BIN 5 emission. Emissions Certification Test Group: CVWXV02.5U35.
Other Restraint System Info	Active Seat Belt Advanced Front Air Bags., Active Seat Belt Advanced Front Air Bags.
Plant City	Puebla
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Mexico
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	2.5L Beetle
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Indirect
Transmission Speeds	6
Transmission Style	Automatic
Vehicle Descriptor	3VWJX7AT*CM
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	3VWJX7AT0CM608245