Free 1989 Volkswagen Golf VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1989 Volkswagen Golf VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1989 Volkswagen Golf VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial sequence of three letters and numbers in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) which uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For a 1989 Volkswagen Golf, the WMI is “1VW,” indicating that the vehicle was produced by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. in the United States. Specifically, this WMI points to their operations in Herndon, Virginia, classifying the vehicle type as a passenger car. The WMIs are crucial for accurately identifying vehicles, providing essential information about the manufacturer, production location, and vehicle category.

List of WMI Codes for a 1989 Volkswagen Golf

WMI: 1VW

• Model Years Covered: 1985-1989
• Example VIN: 1VWBA9176KV004014
• Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Herndon
• State or Province: Virginia
• Country: United States

WMI: 3VW

• Model Years Covered: 1989-1991, 1996-1999, 2015-2021
• Example VIN: 3VWAB01GXKM012986
• Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen de Mexico SA de CV
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Cuautlancingo Ciudad Pueb
• State or Province:
• Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1989 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 1989 Volkswagen Golf:

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 1989 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 1989 Volkswagen Golf VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1989 Volkswagen Golf VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1989 Volkswagen Golf Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1989 Volkswagen Golf

The final 6 characters in a 1989 Volkswagen Golf’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1989 Volkswagen Golf VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1989, suggesting insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: A VIN may uncover that the vehicle is classified as a Passenger Car with a specific Body Class such as Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Make and Model: Through decoding a VIN, one can find that the vehicle is a Golf, providing insight into both the make and model.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN could provide details on engine characteristics, such as having a 4-cylinder engine with horsepower ranging from 102 to 123, offering possible insights into the vehicle’s performance.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN can reveal where the vehicle was manufactured, indicating that this particular Golf was assembled in Westmoreland, Pennsylvania, United States, giving insights into its production origin.
• Safety Features: Information on safety measures like the “Other Restraint System Info” might be discovered, indicating the possible presence of an active restraint system, providing insights into the vehicle’s safety features.
• Weight Classification: It can also inform regarding the vehicle’s weight classification, detailing that it falls into Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), potentially providing insights into the vehicle’s size and load capacity.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1989 Volkswagen Golf

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