Free Volkswagen Golf III VIN Decoder

How to decode a Volkswagen Golf III VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Volkswagen Golf III VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-character sequences that identify the manufacturer of any given vehicle globally. These codes are the initial segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides detailed information about the car, such as the manufacturing plant, the model year, and the vehicle’s specifications. For instance, the WMI ‘3VW’ is associated with Volkswagen de Mexico SA de CV, indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by Volkswagen in Cuautlancingo Ciudad Pue, Mexico. This specific code is used for passenger cars, covering models produced between the years 1993 and 1995, including versions of the Volkswagen Golf III. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI is essential for identification, registration, and tracking purposes across the automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a Volkswagen Golf III

WMI: 3VW

• Model Years Covered: 1993-1995
• Example VIN: 3VWFR21H5PM037839
• 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 Volkswagen Golf III 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 Volkswagen Golf III:

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 Volkswagen Golf III 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 Volkswagen Golf III VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Volkswagen Golf III VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Volkswagen Golf III Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Volkswagen Golf III

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

What info can a Volkswagen Golf III VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 1995 for a Volkswagen Golf III, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN can disclose specific vehicle features like the type, which could be a Passenger Car, and the body class, illustrated by Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including the manufacturer (Volkswagen), displacement in liters (1.984L), the number of cylinders (4), and horsepower (115hp), can typically be decoded from a VIN, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s performance.
• Fuel Type: The VIN can specify the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, such as Gasoline for the mentioned Volkswagen model, providing clarity on the type of fuel the vehicle operates on.
• Safety Features: Information on safety features, such as airbag locations, here noted as 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), can be inferred from the VIN, indicating the vehicle’s equipped safety measures and potential security for occupants.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN may provide insights into the vehicle’s place of manufacture, such as the plant city Puebla and country Mexico, showcasing the global reach of auto production and offering potential historical context for the vehicle.
• Emissions Information: Emissions certification or other engine-related environmental data, like Emissions Certification Test Group: SVW2.0V8GFFA, can sometimes be decoded from the VIN, pointing to the vehicle’s compliance with specific environmental standards and regulations.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Volkswagen Golf III