Free 1997 Volkswagen Golf VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 Volkswagen Golf VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 Volkswagen Golf VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which effectively identifies the manufacturer of any given vehicle. For a 1997 Volkswagen Golf, the WMI “3VW” signifies that Volkswagen de Mexico SA de CV, located in Cuautlancingo Ciudad Pueb, Mexico, is the manufacturer. This categorization is specifically designed for passenger cars, indicating that the vehicle is designed primarily for personal transportation. WMIs are primarily utilized to ensure consistent vehicle identification and facilitate tracking and regulation across the automotive industry. By analyzing the WMI, one can determine the vehicle’s origin, its manufacturer, and vehicle type, providing valuable information at a glance.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 Volkswagen Golf

WMI: 3VW

• Model Years Covered: 1989-1991, 1996-1999, 2015-2021
• Example VIN: 3VWLB81HXVM102093
• 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 1997 Volkswagen Golf 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 1997 Volkswagen Golf:

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 1997 Volkswagen Golf 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 1997 Volkswagen Golf VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 Volkswagen Golf VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 Volkswagen Golf Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 Volkswagen Golf

The final 6 characters in a 1997 Volkswagen Golf’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Volkswagen Golf’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1997 Volkswagen Golf VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can indicate a 1997 model year, providing insight into the age and potential features or specifications of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Specifications: This VIN reveals vital information about a Volkswagen Golf, including the engine’s manufacturer, Volkswagen, and a displacement of 1.984 liters, which correlates to its performance capabilities.
• Engine and Performance: The key engine details such as a displacement of 1984 CC or roughly 121.07 cubic inches and an engine brake horsepower starting from 115 highlight the vehicle’s performance characteristics.
• Safety Features: Safety aspects are identified through the VIN, such as the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger, showcasing the vehicle’s emphasis on passenger safety.
• Fuel Type: The VIN specifies that the primary fuel type for this Volkswagen Golf is gasoline, essential for understanding the vehicle’s environmental footprint and fuel consumption.
• Manufacturing Details: Production specifics, including the manufacturing plant located in Puebla, Mexico, are encoded within the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin.
• Body Class and Size: The VIN reveals the Volkswagen Golf as a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with four doors, indicating both the design and functional space availability of the vehicle.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 Volkswagen Golf

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