Volkswagen VIN Decoder | Check Any Used VW
Decode any Volkswagen VIN for free. Golf, Polo, Tiguan, Passat. Identify the exact model, check Dieselgate status, and access the full vehicle history.
What is a Volkswagen VIN?
Decode any Volkswagen VIN for free. Golf, Polo, Tiguan, Passat. Identify the exact model, check Dieselgate status, and access the full vehicle history.
Volkswagen vehicles are manufactured in Allemagne. Each 17-character VIN uniquely identifies your Volkswagen and allows you to trace its complete history.
Volkswagen VIN Example
WVWZZZAUZJW123456
WVW
= Volkswagen
Volkswagen WMI Codes: Identify Origin
The first 3 characters of the VIN (WMI) identify the manufacturer and vehicle type. Here are the most common Volkswagen WMI codes.
| WMI Code | Description |
|---|---|
WVW | Volkswagen (Germany) |
WV2 | Volkswagen commercial (Transporter, Caddy) |
3VW | Volkswagen (Mexico, Golf, Jetta) |
WV1 | Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles |
Where to Find the VIN on a Volkswagen?
Windshield
Driver side, bottom left.
Door frame
B-pillar driver side, manufacturer label.
Engine compartment
Front crossmember or strut tower.
Registration card
Field E of the registration certificate.
Most Checked Volkswagen Models
Decode the VIN of any Volkswagen model. The decoder identifies the exact model, engine, and specifications.
Volkswagen Golf
Check a Volkswagen Golf by VIN
Volkswagen Polo
Check a Volkswagen Polo by VIN
Volkswagen Tiguan
Check a Volkswagen Tiguan by VIN
Volkswagen T-Roc
Check a Volkswagen T-Roc by VIN
Volkswagen Passat
Check a Volkswagen Passat by VIN
Volkswagen Touran
Check a Volkswagen Touran by VIN
Known Issues with Used Volkswagen Vehicles
Before buying a used Volkswagen, check for these common issues. The Automano report indicates if your vehicle is affected.
Timing chain (1.4 TSI)
Affected models: Golf 6, Polo 5, Tiguan 2008-2012
DSG7 gearbox (mechatronics)
Affected models: Golf 6/7, Polo, Tiguan
Pump injectors (1.9/2.0 TDI PD)
Affected models: Golf 5, Passat B6, Touran
AdBlue / SCR (2.0 TDI EA288)
Affected models: Golf 7, Tiguan, Passat post-2015
FAQ: Volkswagen VIN
What is a VIN number used for?
The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a unique 17-character identifier assigned to each vehicle. We use it to decode the manufacturer, model, year, country of origin, and to query the official recall registry for that market. Title, accident, and ownership history are NOT in the VIN — those require a country-specific official extract (HistoVec in France, DVLA MOT in the UK, NMVTIS in the US, etc.).
Why is the VIN 17 characters long?
The ISO 3779 standard (1977) set the VIN at 17 characters to allow unique identification of every vehicle worldwide. The first 3 identify the manufacturer (WMI), the next 6 describe the vehicle (VDS), and the last 8 make up the serial number (VIS). The letters I, O, and Q are excluded to avoid confusion with the digits 1, 0, and 9.
Can you check a car's history for free?
Basic VIN decoding (manufacturer, country, year) is free on Automano. For the full history (accidents, mileage, owners), use the official extracts (HistoVec for French vehicles, MOT history for UK cars, the national registry elsewhere); the €7.90 Automano report adds confirmed identification, official recalls and a price estimate.
Decode Your Volkswagen VIN for Free
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