VW VIN Decoder

A VW VIN decoder is an online tool that helps you learn more about any Volkswagen car by entering its 17-digit VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). Every VW has this special code, which shows key info like the model, engine type, and where the car was built.

Decoding the VIN also helps in revealing any hidden issues by linking the VIN to databases with accident history, recalls, ownership records, and more. Easily make informed decisions when buying or selling a used Volkswagen.

If you’re looking at buying a used Volkswagen, decoding the VIN is a smart first step. It gives you a clear look at what you're about to buy.

Here are six key reasons for a VW VIN number decoding:

We offer both free and paid VIN decoders for any Volkswagen vehicles. The free VIN lookup is a good starting point when buying a used car, and it reveals important information such as:

Our instant free VIN decoder is great when you want to quickly check if the car details match the listing or what the seller says. However, if you’re serious about buying the car, the paid VIN check is the way to go. It goes beyond the basics to provide the following:

A car listed online appeared to be in excellent condition. The price was right, and it looked clean in photos, until the buyer ran a VIN check using our VIN decoder..

Here’s what the report exposed:

• Accident records (3)
• Damage record (1)
• Salvage title
• Insurance loss record (1)
• Reported as a leased car

The Outcome

The buyer discovered the car had been in a major crash, written off by insurance, then rebuilt and put back on the market. It had also seen heavy use as a lease car. The buyer walked away from a risky deal and likely saved thousands in future repairs and headaches.

Our VW window sticker tool gives you a detailed list of options, packages, safety ratings, and even original fuel economy ratings. 

The tool is designed for buyers, sellers, or dealerships who need the original vehicle information for accurate pricing, listing, and verification.

Here is what each character means

• 1st Character: This shows where the Volkswagen was manufactured. This helps identify the country of production. Some common characters you will find here are: 1, 4, 5 = United States, 2 = Canada.
• 2nd Character: The second character in the VIN tells the vehicle’s make. Almost all VWs sold in the U.S. show a “V” as the second character of the VIN.
• 3rd Character: The third character shows the specific vehicle type. Some examples are; 1 = Pickup/truck, 2 = MPV (Multi-purpose vehicle)
• 4th to 6th Characters: For Volkswagens sold in Europe, these three characters are often just “ZZZ” as they do not hold much meaning. For US vehicles, however, these characters give information on the body and trim styles, engine specs, and restraint systems.
• 7th & 8th Characters: These two characters represent the vehicle’s model. These are the most common ones: 11  -  Beetle (Brazilian, Mexican, Nigerian), 13  -  Scirocco 3.
• 9th Character: This digit simply verifies that the VIN is authentic and not a fake string of random characters.
• 10th Character: The tenth character shows the model year and switches between numbers and letters. Each letter stands for a unique year; for instance, ‘W’ means that the VW is from the 1998 model year.
• 11th Character: The eleventh character shows the vehicle’s assembly or manufacturing plant. Some of the factory codes are: E = Emden, Germany,  C = Chattanooga, Tennessee, and W = Wolfsburg, Germany.
• 12th to 17th Characters: These characters make up the unique sequential number of the VW. This distinguishes it uniquely from other VWs, manufactured in the same plant.

• Volkswagen is one of the top 3 automakers in the world, with over 8 million cars sold globally each year.
• In Canada, VW is known for cars like the Jetta, Golf, and Tiguan, which are among the top-selling imported models.
• VW’s electric lineup is growing, with models like the ID.4 leading the brand’s EV push in North America.
• Over the years, thousands of VW recalls have been issued in Canada for issues involving the airbags, emissions, and software updates.