How to decode a 2000 Volkswagen Passat VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2000 Volkswagen Passat VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle and provides key information about the vehicle, including its country of origin, vehicle type, and the manufacturing location. For a 2000 Volkswagen Passat, the WMI “WVW” reveals that the vehicle is manufactured by Volkswagen AG, a renowned Germany-based automaker known for its engineering excellence. Specifically, this WMI reveals the vehicle is a passenger car, indicating a focus on comfort and functionality designed for personal use. The manufacturing city for this vehicle, Wolfsburg, is a pivotal location for Volkswagen, housing its headquarters and largest plant. This insight into the vehicle’s provenance and type helps in understanding its design philosophy, manufacturing quality, and the heritage it carries from one of Germany’s iconic car manufacturers.

List of WMI Codes for a 2000 Volkswagen Passat

WMI: WVW

Model Years Covered: 1992, 1995, 1997-2011, 2013
Example VIN: WVWNA23B0YE273238
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 2000 Volkswagen Passat 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 Passat:

Known VDS for a 2000 Volkswagen Passat
NA23B	MA23B	ND23B	RH23B	MD23B	WH23B	TH23B	UH23B	VD23B	PD23B

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 Passat 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 Passat VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
Y	2000

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

Known 2000 Volkswagen Passat Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
E	Emden		Germany		WVWNA23B0YE273238
P	Mosel		Germany		WVWMA23B1YP217342

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2000 Volkswagen Passat

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

Check your Volkswagen Passat’s VIN below:

How to find a 2000 Volkswagen Passat’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2000 Volkswagen Passat is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Review the driver’s side dashboard of your Volkswagen Passat 2000, which is typically visible through the windshield.
Investigate the driver’s side door frame for your 2000 Volkswagen Passat, particularly the door post where the door latches when closed.
Look for the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on your Volkswagen Passat’s engine block, which can usually be found by popping the hood.
Examine the trunk area of your Passat, often under the spare tire, where there may be a sticker with the VIN.
Check the vehicle documents such as the title, registration, or insurance card for your Volkswagen Passat 2000, as the VIN should be listed there.

What info can a 2000 Volkswagen Passat VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2000, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Type and Size: It also specifies the body class and size, indicating this vehicle is a Wagon with 4 doors, possibly aimed at providing spaciousness suited for larger families or more cargo.
Engine Specifications: Key engine details such as displacement (2.771 L or 169.096 CI), horsepower (190 hp), the number of cylinders (6), and the engine manufacturer (Volkswagen) can be decoded from a VIN, outlining the vehicle’s performance capabilities and powertrain characteristics.
Drive Type and Fuel Efficiency: The drive type, in this case, FWD/Front-Wheel Drive, along with the primary fuel type being Gasoline, can be determined, possibly offering insights into the vehicle’s handling dynamics and fuel consumption patterns.
Safety Features: Safety equipment like the locations of front air bags (1st Row for Driver and Passenger) and side air bags (Driver Seat Only), in addition to the type of seat belts (Manual), are encoded within the VIN, possibly highlighting the vehicle’s commitment to occupant protection.
Production Details: Information about the manufacturing, including the plant city (Emden) and country (Germany), suggests the geographical origin of the vehicle, which might affect perceptions of build quality and engineering standards.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The GVWR range is specified (Class 1: 6,000 lb or less), indicating the vehicle’s maximum safe weight, crucial for understanding its load-carrying capacity and compliance with regulatory standards.

Don’t have your 2000 Volkswagen Passat’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2000 Volkswagen Passat

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Wagon
Displacement (CC)	2771
Displacement (CI)	169.096794886
Displacement (L)	2.771000
Doors	4
Drive Type	FWD/Front-Wheel Drive
Engine Brake (hp) From	190
Engine Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
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	Passat
Model Year	2000
Other Engine Info	50-St./Can., Emissions Certification Test Group: YADXV02.8334
Other Restraint System Info	Active Seat Belt
Plant City	Emden
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	GLX
Side Air Bag Locations	Driver Seat Only
Trim	Wagon
Vehicle Descriptor	WVWVD23B*YE
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WVWVD23B0YE372231