Free 1989 Volkswagen GTI VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1989 Volkswagen GTI VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1989 Volkswagen GTI VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an integral part of the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the manufacturer, vehicle type, and region of manufacture. For example, the 1989 Volkswagen GTI has a WMI of “1VW,” indicating it was produced by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc., classified as a Passenger Car, and assembled in the United States, specifically in Herndon, Virginia. This prefix is crucial for various stakeholders, from regulatory bodies to consumers, to ascertain key details about a vehicle’s origin, brand, and specifications. Understanding the WMI is essential for tasks such as vehicle registration, insurance, and tracking the history of a vehicle.

List of WMI Codes for a 1989 Volkswagen GTI

WMI: 1VW

• Model Years Covered: 1989
• Example VIN: 1VWDC0171KV017848
• Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Herndon
• State or Province: Virginia
• Country: United States

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

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 GTI 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 GTI VIN — Year Code

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

Known 1989 Volkswagen GTI Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1989 Volkswagen GTI

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

Check your Volkswagen GTI’s VIN below:

What info can a 1989 Volkswagen GTI VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1989, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: A VIN can provide details about the vehicle type, such as Passenger Car, and further specify its body class, indicating if it’s a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback.
• Engine Specifications: Insight into the engine’s capabilities, such as it being a 4-cylinder engine producing horsepower from 123, can be gleaned from a VIN.
• Weight Class: The VIN may determine the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating, showing it falls within Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less).
• Safety Features: The VIN can provide information on the vehicle’s safety systems, identifying it as possibly having an active restraint system.
• Manufacturing Details: Information regarding the manufacturing location, including plant city (Westmoreland), state (Pennsylvania), and country (United States), can be found through the VIN.
• Vehicle Model: The specific model of the vehicle, such as GTI, is typically encoded within the VIN.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1989 Volkswagen GTI