How to decode a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of every vehicle globally. For the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit, the WMI is “WVW”, which denotes Volkswagen AG located in Wolfsburg, Germany, as the manufacturer. These initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) reveal essential details about the vehicle, such as the manufacturer name, and the vehicle type, which, for this case, is a passenger car. WMIs are crucial for tracking, registration, and recall purposes, ensuring each vehicle’s origin and type are easily identified. The Volkswagen Rabbit’s WMI specifically points to its production in the years 2006 through 2009 within the facilities of one of Germany’s most renowned car makers.

List of WMI Codes for a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit

WMI: WVW

Model Years Covered: 2006-2009
Example VIN: WVWDA71K08W004453
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 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit 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 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit:

Known VDS for a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
DA71K	BB71K	AB71K	DA91K	AA71K	CA71K	BA71K	CB71K	CB91K	DB91K
DB71K	CA91K

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 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit 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 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
8	2008

11th Character in the 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
W	Wolfsburg		Germany		WVWDA71K08W004453

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit

The final 6 characters in a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Volkswagen Rabbit’s VIN below:

How to find a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit, typically near where the dashboard meets the windshield on the lower driver’s side.
Examine the door pillar on the driver’s side when you open the front door. The VIN can usually be found on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
Check under the hood for a metal plate or sticker where the engine bay meets the windshield on either side.
Review the vehicle’s maintenance records or owner’s manual, as the VIN is often recorded in these documents for your Volkswagen Rabbit.
Inspect the rear wheel well above the tire. Sometimes, the VIN can be found etched into the body in this area.
Look at the trunk area of your Volkswagen Rabbit, either under the spare tire or on the trunk lid. The VIN may be placed in one of these spots.

What info can a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2008, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, such as Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, and the number of doors, for instance, 4, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Specifications: Details regarding the engine, such as a 2.480-liter displacement, 170 horsepower, and a 5-cylinder configuration, can often be uncovered. The engine manufacturer, in this case, Volkswagen, is also specified.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type a vehicle uses, such as gasoline, can be identified, which is crucial for understanding fuel economy and environmental impact.
Safety Features: Information on safety equipment like curtain airbags, front airbags, and side airbags in the 1st row (driver and passenger) can typically be deduced, indicating the vehicle’s safety standards.
Emission Details: Additional engine information like emission certifications can be revealed, such as “50-St. BIN 5/ULEV II emission,” illustrating the vehicle’s environmental compliance.

Don’t have your 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Displacement (CC)	2480
Displacement (CI)	151.338885354
Displacement (L)	2.480000
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	170
Engine Manufacturer	Volkswagen
Engine Number of Cylinders	5
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	Rabbit
Model Year	2008
Other Engine Info	50-St. BIN 5/ULEV II emission. Emissions Certification Test Group: 8VWXV02.5253
Other Restraint System Info	Active Seat Belt Advanced Front Air Bags., Active Seat Belt Advanced Front Air Bags.
Plant City	Wolfsburg
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Transmission Style	Automatic
Vehicle Descriptor	WVWDA71K*8W
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WVWDA71K08W004453