Vehicle Identification Number

I have been wondering where did my little red car originate from. The salesman told me it could come from Wolfburg, Germany or South Africa, where VW do most of their right hand drive cars. The custom forms clearly stated that is is from Germany but a quick search on the trusted Google and I came on this site...http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/p/248914/2499174.aspx

The Vehicle Identification Number consists of 17 characters, either a number or letter. In identifying a particular vehicle only characters 7 to 17 are particularly relevant.

The first 3 letters are the WMI, World Manufacturer Identifier. For VW's the characters are WVW. The W is for Germany and the VW is the manufacturers code. The country indicator is not necessarily the country of manufacture, this comes later on in the VIN.

The 4th to 9th characters are the VDS, Vehicle Descriptor Section. This is used to identify vehicle type, model and body style. The first 3 characters of the VDS are not used for the european market and are therefore filled with the letter Z. Positions 7 & 8 on the VIN are for the model description and are either a number and a letter or both numbers. 1J denotes a Golf Mk4 and Bora, 1K denotes a Golf Mk5 and Golf Plus. Place 9 is for use in North American markets, so is also marked with a Z.

The 10th - 17th characters are the VIS, Vehicle Identifier Section. The 10th character is the model year (not necessarily the calender year) in which the car was built. The 11th character denotes the plant of manufacture and is therefore of particular interest to many owners The numbers from 12 to 17 are the vehicles unique serial number.

A quick check later...

The first 3 letters : WVW

The 4th to 9th characters are the VDS:

The first 3 characters of the VDS are not used for the european market and are therefore filled with the letter Z, Yup ZZZ

Positions 7 & 8: 1K

Place 9 is for use in North American markets, so is also marked with a Z

The 10th - 17th characters are the VIS

The 10th character is the model year.. mine is B.. B=1981  ... impossible??? hehehehe

11th character.. Plant of Manufacture; W.... is for W=Wolfsburg-Germany

Hokay then.. confirmed :)