How to decode a 2000 Volkswagen Golf VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2000 Volkswagen Golf VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a distinctive code associated with every vehicle manufacturer, forming the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies individual motor vehicles. For the 2000 Volkswagen Golf, the WMI “9BW” is pivotal, revealing that this vehicle was manufactured by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. This code indicates that the vehicle is a passenger car produced between the years 2000 to 2006, specifically tailored for the American market. Moreover, the “9BW” prefix signifies that the manufacturing site is located in Herndon, Virginia, in the United States, despite Volkswagen being a German company. Understanding the WMI of a vehicle not only unravels the geographical origin and making of the car but also ties it to its unique identity and manufacturing lineage.

List of WMI Codes for a 2000 Volkswagen Golf

WMI: WVW

Model Years Covered: 1999-2001, 2010-2015
Example VIN: WVWBF21J0YW119802
Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen AG
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Wolfsburg
State or Province:
Country: Germany WMI: 9BW
Model Years Covered: 2000-2006
Example VIN: 9BWGA21J2Y4035180
Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Herndon
State or Province: Virginia
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2000 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 2000 Volkswagen Golf:

Known VDS for a 2000 Volkswagen Golf
BF21J	GH21J	GA21J	GC21J	BC21J	BA21J	GF21J

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 2000 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 2000 Volkswagen Golf VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
Y	2000

11th Character in the 2000 Volkswagen Golf VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2000 Volkswagen Golf Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
4	Curitiba		Brazil		9BWGA21J2Y4035180
W	Wolfsburg		Germany		WVWBF21J0YW119802

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2000 Volkswagen Golf

The final 6 characters in a 2000 Volkswagen Golf’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2000 Volkswagen Golf’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2000 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 should be visible through the windshield on a metal or plastic plate at the corner.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb area of your Volkswagen Golf. The VIN can typically be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
Examine the engine bay of your Volkswagen Golf; the VIN might also be stamped onto the engine firewall.
Check the trunk area. Your Volkswagen Golf may have the VIN in the spare tire well or on the trunk’s side walls.
Review the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or service records, as the VIN will be recorded in these documents for your Volkswagen Golf.
Look at the vehicle title or the vehicle’s owner’s manual, which will usually list the VIN for your Volkswagen Golf.

What info can a 2000 Volkswagen Golf VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting it’s possibly a 2000 model, potentially providing insights into the age and market value of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: Details from the VIN, such as the engine being manufactured by Volkswagen, having 4 cylinders, and a displacement of 1.781 liters (108.683 cubic inches), might highlight the car’s power capability.
Fuel Type: The VIN possibly indicates that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, potentially specifying what kind of fuel it may utilize for operation.
Safety Features: Safety features include front airbags located in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, and a side airbag for the driver seat only, suggesting the car’s commitment to occupant safety, based on the provided VIN information.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN possibly describes this passenger car as having a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback body, offering a specific body style and functionality, based on the provided VIN data.
Production Details: The Plant City and Country specified in the VIN as Wolfsburg, Germany, might provide insight into the vehicle’s manufacturing origin, based on the VIN details.
Vehicle Identification: Information such as a sample VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) and vehicle descriptor possibly give unique identification to this Volkswagen Golf GLS, aiding in verification and historical records, according to the VIN data provided.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2000 Volkswagen Golf

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Displacement (CC)	1896
Displacement (CI)	115.701018803
Displacement (L)	1.896000
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	90
Engine Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Diesel
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	2000
Other Engine Info	50-St./Can., Emissions Certification Test Group: YVWXV01.9233
Other Restraint System Info	Active Seat Belt
Plant City	Wolfsburg
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	GL
Side Air Bag Locations	Driver Seat Only
Vehicle Descriptor	WVWBF21J*YW
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WVWBF21J0YW119802