How to decode a 1998 Volkswagen Golf VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Volkswagen Golf VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a crucial component of a vehicle’s unique Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), signifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and category. For instance, Volkswagen Golfs made in Mexico between 1996 and 1999 have a WMI of “3VW”, highlighting Volkswagen de Mexico SA de CV as the manufacturing entity. This three-letter code, placed at the beginning of the VIN, allows for quick identification of crucial manufacturing details. Specifically for the 1998 Volkswagen Golf, the WMI “3VW” designates it as a passenger car produced in Cuautlancingo Ciudad Pueb, Mexico. Understanding WMIs enables consumers and industry professionals to verify the legitimacy and origin of vehicles.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Volkswagen Golf

WMI: 3VW

Model Years Covered: 1989-1991, 1996-1999, 2015-2021
Example VIN: 3VWFB81H2WM281082
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 1998 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 1998 Volkswagen Golf:

Known VDS for a 1998 Volkswagen Golf
FB81H	FA81H

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 1998 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 1998 Volkswagen Golf VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
W	1998

11th Character in the 1998 Volkswagen Golf VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Volkswagen Golf Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
M	Puebla		Mexico		3VWFB81H2WM281082

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Volkswagen Golf

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Volkswagen Golf’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Volkswagen Golf’s VIN below:

How to find a 1998 Volkswagen Golf’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 1998 Volkswagen Golf is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Volkswagen Golf. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield on a metal or plastic identification plate.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). It’s common to find a sticker or a plate with the VIN on this area.
Check under the hood. The VIN might also be located on the front of the car’s engine block.
Inspect the trunk of your Volkswagen Golf. Sometimes the VIN can be found in the area where the spare tire is stored or on the trunk’s hinge.
Look at your vehicle’s title or registration documents. These should always contain the VIN.
Verify with the insurance card or policy for your Volkswagen Golf, as insurance companies typically record the VIN along with your other vehicle information.

What info can a 1998 Volkswagen Golf VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN encodes detailed specifications for the Volkswagen Golf GL / TDI model, including a 1.984L engine with 4 cylinders and an engine brake horsepower starting from 115, which provides valuable information about the vehicle’s performance and power.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN indicates that the vehicle has a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback body class with 4 doors, potentially offering insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Fuel Type: It can be determined from the VIN that the vehicle runs on Gasoline as its primary fuel source, offering valuable information for potential buyers or owners.
Safety Features: Essential safety features such as front airbags located in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger can be discerned from the VIN, providing important information about the vehicle’s safety capabilities.
Engine Manufacturer: The VIN reveals that the engine is manufactured by Volkswagen, highlighting the brand’s specific engineering and design attributes, providing insights into the vehicle’s performance and potential maintenance needs.
Manufacturing Location: The VIN indicates that the vehicle was assembled in Puebla, Mexico, showcasing the geographical diversity of automotive production locations and potential implications for the vehicle’s manufacturing standards.

Don’t have your 1998 Volkswagen Golf’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Volkswagen Golf

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Displacement (CC)	1984
Displacement (CI)	121.071108283
Displacement (L)	1.984000
Doors	4
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	Golf
Model Year	1998
Other Engine Info	Fed. Only, Emissions Certification Test Group: WVWXV02.0222
Other Restraint System Info	Restraint System: AirBag - Dr/Pass, Active - Dr/Pass
Plant City	Puebla
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Mexico
Series	GL / TDI
Vehicle Descriptor	3VWFA81H*WM
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	3VWFA81H2WM207275