How to decode a 2002 Volkswagen Golf VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 Volkswagen Golf VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designating the manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For the 2002 Volkswagen Golf, the WMI “9BW” signifies that it was manufactured by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., and categorizes the vehicle as a passenger car. This code indicates that the vehicle was assembled in the United States, specifically in Herndon, Virginia, covering the model years from 2000 to 2006. The WMI is a crucial element in vehicle identification, enabling more precise vehicle tracking and verification worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 Volkswagen Golf

WMI: 9BW

Model Years Covered: 2000-2006
Example VIN: 9BWBK61J224035296
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 2002 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 2002 Volkswagen Golf:

Known VDS for a 2002 Volkswagen Golf
BK61J	FK61J	GB61J	GP61J	BB61J	GK61J	BP61J

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 2002 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 2002 Volkswagen Golf VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
2	2002

11th Character in the 2002 Volkswagen Golf VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2002 Volkswagen Golf Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
4	Curitiba		Brazil		9BWBK61J224035296

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 Volkswagen Golf

The final 6 characters in a 2002 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 2002 Volkswagen Golf’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2002 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 2002, the VIN should be visible through the windshield.
Inspect the driver’s side door jamb, the VIN can often be found on a label or sticker where the door latches when it is closed.
Check under the hood; you might find the VIN on the front engine block of your Volkswagen Golf.
The VIN might also be located in the rear wheel well above the tire on the driver’s side.
Another place to check is beneath the spare tire in the trunk area of your Volkswagen Golf 2002.
Lastly, examine your vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or the owner’s manual, as these documents usually have the VIN printed on them.

What info can a 2002 Volkswagen Golf VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2002, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Engine Details: A VIN can provide specific engine details such as the engine being a Volkswagen with a displacement of 1.984 Liters or 1984 CC, and capable of producing up to 115 horsepower. It operates on a gasoline fuel type, with a 4 cylinder configuration, highlighting its efficient and powerful engine design.
Safety Features: The VIN can indicate the presence of front airbags located in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, side airbags for the driver seat, and curtain airbags in the 1st row. This indicates a comprehensive safety feature set, including active seat belts.
Body Class and Size: The VIN can provide information that the vehicle is classified as a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, with a 2-door configuration, emphasizing its compact and accessible body style for drivers seeking a smaller vehicle footprint.
Fuel Efficiency and Emissions: VIN decoding can identify the fuel type as gasoline, and it’s noteworthy that the engine is tuned for 50-State and Canadian ULEV (Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) standards, denoting its adherence to stringent environmental criteria.
Manufacturing Information: The VIN can provide manufacturing information such as the vehicle being manufactured in Curitiba, Brazil, which could be useful for those interested in the geographic origin of their vehicle, affecting factors such as parts availability and market value.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN can classify the vehicle under Class 1, indicating the vehicle’s capacity and size from a regulatory standpoint, often impacting usage and.

Don’t have your 2002 Volkswagen Golf’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 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	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	2002
Other Engine Info	Fed./Can. LEV emission. Emissions Certification Test Group: 2VWXV02.0226
Other Restraint System Info	Active Seat Belt
Plant City	Curitiba
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Brazil
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	GLS
Side Air Bag Locations	Driver Seat Only
Vehicle Descriptor	9BWGB61J*24
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	9BWGB61J024006921