Free Volkswagen Passat VIN Decoder

How to decode a Volkswagen Passat VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Volkswagen Passat VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique three-letter codes assigned to automakers, signifying the manufacturer and country of production of a vehicle. For the Volkswagen Passat, two distinct WMIs indicate where the vehicles were manufactured: WVW signals vehicles produced by Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg, Germany, covering model years from 1992 through 2011 and again in 2013, while 1VW designates those manufactured by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. in Herndon, Virginia, United States, specifically from the 2012 to 2022 model years. These codes, found at the beginning of a vehicle’s VIN, are essential for identifying the vehicle’s origin, manufacturer, and specific attributes. This system ensures a standardized method for identifying vehicles globally, aiding in registration, recall tracking, and historical data accuracy.

List of WMI Codes for a Volkswagen Passat

WMI: WVW

• Model Years Covered: 1992, 1995, 1997-2011, 2013
• Example VIN: WVWGB4315NE022624
• Manufacturer Name: Volkswagen AG
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Wolfsburg
• State or Province:
• Country: Germany

WMI: 1VW

• Model Years Covered: 2012-2022
• Example VIN: 1VWBP7A30CC002045
• 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 Volkswagen Passat VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the most popular vehicle descriptor codes for a 2024 Volkswagen Passat:

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 Volkswagen Passat 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 Volkswagen Passat VIN — Year Code

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

Known Volkswagen Passat Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Volkswagen Passat

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

What info can a Volkswagen Passat VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, being the year 2020, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Safety Equipment: It may come standard with numerous safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Blind Spot Warning (BSW), and Curtain Airbags across all rows, reflecting the vehicle’s focus on passenger safety.
• Engine Specifications: The vehicle may be equipped with a 2.0L engine by VW, demonstrating a balance between performance and efficiency, with a horsepower rating starting from 174.
• Fuel Type: The vehicle can run on Gasoline, indicating its primary energy source, which is crucial for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Features such as Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), and Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) may be standard, showcasing the vehicle’s advanced technology for enhancing driver safety.
• Body and Design: It may be identified as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors and seating for 5 passengers, entailing the vehicle’s design and its intended comfort and utility level.
• Manufacturing Details: The vehicle could have been assembled in Chattanooga, Tennessee, United States, providing insight into the vehicle’s production location, potentially affecting parts availability and serviceability.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Volkswagen Passat