Free 1998 Volkswagen GTI VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Volkswagen GTI VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Volkswagen GTI VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or three-digit code assigned to automotive manufacturers to identify the motor vehicle’s place of origin and its manufacturer. For the 1998 Volkswagen GTI, the WMI “3VW” signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by Volkswagen de Mexico SA de CV, indicating its production took place in Mexico, specifically in Cuautlancingo Ciudad Pueb. This WMI code is crucial for vehicle identification, allowing a detailed understanding of where and by whom a vehicle was made. It plays a vital role in vehicle tracking, registration, and recall actions. The WMI is the first portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which further details the vehicle’s specifications, model, and production sequence.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Volkswagen GTI

WMI: 3VW

• Model Years Covered: 1996-1998, 2015
• Example VIN: 3VWHD81H4WM151467
• 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 1998 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 1998 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 1998 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 1998 Volkswagen GTI VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Volkswagen GTI VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Volkswagen GTI Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Volkswagen GTI

The final 6 characters in a 1998 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 1998 Volkswagen GTI VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN may reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN indicates that the vehicle was possibly manufactured in Puebla, Mexico, showcasing how VINs can offer geographical production information.
• Vehicle Make and Model: The dataset specifies a Volkswagen GTI, suggesting that VINs can contain detailed make and model information, including engine details such as a 2.792L engine displacement with 172 horsepower, manufactured by Volkswagen.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN details the vehicle as a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 2 doors, underscoring how VINs may denote the body type and size, which is crucial for understanding vehicle design and functionality.
• Engine Type: The engine information reveals a 6-cylinder engine with a displacement ranging from 2792 cc, pointing out the level of detail VINs can provide on engine specifications and performance capabilities.
• Safety Features: The VIN offers insights into the safety features equipped in the vehicle, emphasizing the importance of safety in vehicle specifications, with front airbag locations noted for both the driver and passenger in the first row.
• Fuel Type: The VIN identifies the primary fuel type as gasoline, illustrating that VINs can alert users to the vehicle’s fuel requirements, which is essential for understanding operational costs and environmental impact.
• Vehicle Weight Class: The VIN defines the vehicle’s gross weight rating as possibly Class 1, meaning 6,000 lb or less, demonstrating how VINs can be a source for understanding a vehicle’s weight classification, which impacts usage, regulation, and transportation planning.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Volkswagen GTI

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