How to decode a 2001 Volkswagen Golf VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2001 Volkswagen Golf VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code composed of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 2001 Volkswagen Golf, the WMI is “WVW,” indicating the vehicle was manufactured by Volkswagen AG in Germany. This code is critical for identifying the vehicle’s country of origin, the manufacturer, and the type of vehicle it is. In the case of the Volkswagen Golf from 2001, it falls under the category of a passenger car. The WMI is an essential component of automotive identification, providing a standardized method to recognize the manufacturer and vehicle type globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2001 Volkswagen Golf

WMI: 9BW

Model Years Covered: 2000-2006
Example VIN: 9BWGS21J214021685
Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Herndon
State or Province: Virginia
Country: United States WMI: WVW
Model Years Covered: 1999-2001, 2010-2015
Example VIN: WVWBS21J01W082784
Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen AG
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Wolfsburg
State or Province:
Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2001 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 2001 Volkswagen Golf:

Known VDS for a 2001 Volkswagen Golf
GS21J	BS61J	BT21J	GD21J	GP21J	GP61J	GS61J	GT21J	BT61J	BS21J
GD61J	BP61J	GT61J	BP21J

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 2001 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 2001 Volkswagen Golf VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
1	2001

11th Character in the 2001 Volkswagen Golf VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2001 Volkswagen Golf Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
4	Curitiba		Brazil		9BWGS21J214021685
W	Wolfsburg		Germany		WVWBS21J01W082784

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2001 Volkswagen Golf

The final 6 characters in a 2001 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 2001 Volkswagen Golf’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2001 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.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door pillar (the door jamb); the VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
Check under the bonnet (hood) of your Volkswagen Golf; there might be a VIN plate located on one of the strut towers or on the firewall of the vehicle.
Inspect the trunk area. The Volkswagen Golf may have the VIN in the spare wheel well or on the trunk lid’s surface.
Examine the vehicle registration documents or the insurance card; the VIN of your Volkswagen Golf will be listed there as well.

What info can a 2001 Volkswagen Golf VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN may reveal the vehicle’s model year as 2001, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: A VIN decode can provide details on a Volkswagen Golf GL, including engine manufacturer details indicating it’s a Volkswagen engine with a displacement of 1.984 liters (1984 CC or 121.071108283 CI) and 115 horsepower, illustrating performance capability.
Fuel Type: It may specify the primary fuel type as gasoline, which is crucial for understanding the vehicle’s potential fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: Revealed safety features may include front airbags located in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, side airbags for the driver seat only, and curtain airbags for the 1st row, underscoring the vehicle’s potential occupant protection measures.
Body Class and Size: The vehicle could be categorized as a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 2 doors, potentially providing clear information about the vehicle’s design and practicality for potential users interested in body style and size.
Manufacturing Details: The production location is indicated as Curitiba, Brazil, which can potentially give insights into manufacturing standards and the availability of parts or service in different regions.
Engine and Emissions Information: Additional engine info may highlight compliance with 50-State and Canadian Tier 1 emissions, along with an Emissions Certification Test Group number, indicating the vehicle’s potential environmental standards and regulation adherence.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2001 Volkswagen Golf

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
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	Golf
Model Year	2001
Other Engine Info	50-St./Can. Tier 1 emission. Emissions Certification Test Group: 1VWXV02.0222 / 1VWXV02.0226
Other Restraint System Info	Active Seat Belt
Plant City	Curitiba
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Brazil
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	GL
Side Air Bag Locations	Driver Seat Only
Vehicle Descriptor	9BWBS61J*14
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	9BWBS61J114071270