How to decode a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle as part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This 3-digit code specifies not just the manufacturer, but often also the vehicle type and manufacturing location. For the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio, the WMI “3VW” signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by Volkswagen de Mexico SA de CV, indicating a passenger car produced in Cuautlancingo Ciudad Pueb, Mexico. The WMI is crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and tracking worldwide, providing a standardized method to recognize the vehicle’s original manufacturing details.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio

WMI: 3VW

Model Years Covered: 1997-2002
Example VIN: 3VWCC21V02M803964
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 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio 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 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio:

Known VDS for a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio
CC21V	BC21V	DC21V

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 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio 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 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
2	2002

11th Character in the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
M	Puebla		Mexico		3VWCC21V02M803964

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio

The final 6 characters in a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Volkswagen Cabrio’s VIN below:

How to find a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Volkswagen Cabrio. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area, where you may find a sticker or plate with the VIN on your Volkswagen Cabrio.
Check the engine bay, where the VIN might be stamped onto the chassis or on a plate attached to the firewall inside your Volkswagen Cabrio.
Look in the trunk area, possibly under the spare tire, where a label or sticker with the VIN can sometimes be found on Volkswagen vehicles.
Inspect the vehicle’s documents, such as the title, registration, or insurance papers, where the VIN number of your Volkswagen Cabrio should be recorded.
If applicable, examine the front frame of the car; sometimes the VIN can be found on the cross member that supports the radiator.

What info can a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2002, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 2002 [Make Model], this may indicate a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Manufacturer and Specifications: The VIN gives information about the engine manufacturer, with the engine being a 4-cylinder with a displacement of 1.984 liters or 121.071 cubic inches and an engine brake horsepower starting from 115, possibly providing insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Fuel Type: The VIN specifies gasoline as the primary fuel type, which may be crucial for understanding the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: Safety features such as front airbag locations for the 1st row (driver and passenger), side airbags for the driver seat only, and a manual seat belt type can be discerned, possibly outlining the vehicle’s preparedness in protecting occupants.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN can also reveal the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, classified within Class 1, possibly indicating the vehicle’s size, load capacity, and its handling characteristics.
Manufacturing Information: The VIN can provide insights into the geographical origin of the vehicle, which can impact the availability of parts or service, with the vehicle being assembled in Puebla, Mexico.

Don’t have your 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Displacement (CC)	1984
Displacement (CI)	121.071108283
Displacement (L)	1.984000
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	115
Engine Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
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	Cabrio
Model Year	2002
Other Engine Info	50-St./Can. LEV emission. Emissions Certification Test Group: 2VWXV02.0227
Other Restraint System Info	Active Seat Belt
Plant City	Puebla
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Mexico
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	GLS
Side Air Bag Locations	Driver Seat Only
Vehicle Descriptor	3VWCC21V*2M
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	3VWCC21V02M803964