Volkswagen VIN Decoder, Build Sheet and PR Code Lookup
Enter your 17 character Volkswagen VIN to see the model, generation, engine, year and plant, plus recall records. Then paste the PR codes from your vehicle data sticker to turn them into a full equipment list. Below you’ll find a VW VIN decoder chart, how to read the data sticker, paint codes with swatches, and where to get your Volkswagen build sheet.
Try It Yourself. Copy/Paste This VW VIN Into Our Decoder Below: 3VW447AU4HM024680
VIN Decoder & Build Sheet
Check VIN identity, factory spec, recalls, complaints, and ownership risks before you buy.
Pre Purchase VIN Check
Fuel Economy, Emissions & Running Cost
EPA fuel economy for the vehicle year and model profile.
Additional Vehicle Specs
Supplementary spec matching for output such as power, transmission, size, and weight.
Recalls, Complaints & Mechanical Failures
Model level safety and complaint data for the decoded year, make, and model.
Vehicle Ownership Insights
Platform specific reliability patterns, critical engine platform audits, and pre purchase inspection guidance.
Likely Factory Option Profile
Probability model for common package combinations around this production era.
The free scan verifies identity and surfaces early risk signals. The paid report goes deeper into what those signals mean for ownership, repairs, and buying confidence.
Unlock Full VIN ReportWhere to Find Your VW VIN and Vehicle Data Sticker
On a Volkswagen you want two things: the VIN, and the vehicle data sticker that lists the car's PR codes. The sticker is the closest thing to a printed VW build sheet.
The VIN
- Windshield Driver side, at the base of the glass
- Door opening The label on the driver side B pillar
- Engine bay Stamped on the bulkhead or a VIN plate on many models
- Paperwork Title, registration, insurance and the myVW app
The vehicle data sticker
- Golf, GTI and Jetta Spare wheel well or trunk floor
- Tiguan and Atlas Under the cargo floor near the spare wheel
- Passat Trunk floor or the service booklet
- Service booklet A copy is often stuck inside the front cover
VW VIN Breakdown: Reading a US Volkswagen VIN
Characters 7 and 8 are Volkswagen's own model code, so you can spot the generation straight from the VIN, like AU for the Mk7 Golf. Here's a 2017 GTI built in Puebla, Mexico.
3VW447AU4HM024680: 2017 Volkswagen Golf GTI 2.0T, 4 door with DSG, built in Puebla, Mexico
VW VIN decoder chart
| Position | What it means | On this GTI |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 | Country and maker | 3VW: Volkswagen car built in Mexico |
| 4 to 6 | Body, engine and restraint coding for the US market | 447: GTI body and 2.0T engine version |
| 7 and 8 | VW model code | AU: Golf, 7th generation |
| 9 | Check digit | 4 |
| 10 | Model year | H: 2017 |
| 11 | Plant | M: Puebla, Mexico |
| 12 to 17 | Serial number | 024680 |
VW VIN prefixes
- WVW Car built in Germany
- WVG SUV built in Germany: Touareg and early Tiguan
- 3VW Car built in Mexico: Jetta, Golf, GTI and Beetle
- 3VV SUV built in Mexico: Tiguan and Taos
- 1VW Car built in Chattanooga: Passat
- 1V2 SUV built in Chattanooga: Atlas
VW model codes, characters 7 and 8
- 1K, 5K, AU, CD Golf Mk5, Mk6, Mk7 and Mk8
- AJ and BU Jetta, 6th and 7th generation
- A3 Passat built in Chattanooga
- 5N and AX Tiguan, 1st and 2nd generation
- CA Atlas
Which year is my VW? Character 10
- 12001
- 22002
- 32003
- 42004
- 52005
- 62006
- 72007
- 82008
- 92009
- A2010
- B2011
- C2012
- D2013
- E2014
- F2015
- G2016
- H2017
- J2018
- K2019
- L2020
- M2021
- N2022
- P2023
- R2024
- S2025
- T2026
Volkswagen VIN Decoder for Europe, the UK and the UAE
European and UK Volkswagens use a simpler VIN with filler letters. A Golf might read WVWZZZAUZFW024680: WVW is the maker, ZZZ fills characters 4 to 6, AU is the model code, the Z in character 9 is a filler instead of a check digit, F is the year and W is the Wolfsburg plant. That's the number people mean by VW chassis number.
Volkswagens sold new in the UAE, including Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, usually follow the same European style VIN, so the model code in characters 7 and 8 and the year in character 10 decode the same way. For equipment, the PR codes on the vehicle data sticker matter more than the VIN.
VW Vehicle Data Sticker Decoder: Reading the PR Codes
The vehicle data sticker is the label VW prints for every car at the factory. It lists the equipment the car was built with as three character PR codes, and it's the best free source of the original VW build sheet.
What's on it, top to bottom
- VIN The full vehicle identification number
- Sales code The model and version, like 5G13GZ
- Engine and gearbox codes Like CHHB for a Mk7 GTI engine
- Paint and interior Paint code and interior code, like LC9X
- PR codes Rows of three character codes, one per option or standard item
How to read the PR codes
- Each code is a choice Like 1X1 for 4Motion or 1X0 for front wheel drive
- Zero usually means without 3FA is no sunroof and 7X0 no parking sensors
- Families share a start 8T codes are cruise control, 4A seat heating, 9A climate
- Paste them below Our PR decoder turns the whole sticker into plain English
Volkswagen Build Sheet and PR Codes by VIN
A VIN on its own gives the model, engine family, year and plant. The full equipment list sits with Volkswagen, so here's where to get your VW build sheet and PR codes.
Vehicle data sticker
Lists every PR code. Copy them into our decoder for the full equipment list.
ETKA printout
VW dealers use ETKA, the parts catalog, to pull the PR codes from the VIN. Most will print them if you ask.
Window sticker
Shows the trim, packages and accessories by name, with prices.
| Source | What you get |
|---|---|
| VIN decoder | Model, generation, engine family, year, plant and recalls |
| ETKA | Every PR code, the engine and gearbox codes and the exact parts the car needs |
| Data sticker | The same PR codes, for free, if the sticker is still there |
VW PR Code Decoder
Paste the PR codes from your vehicle data sticker or a dealer printout and get your VW equipment list in plain English. It also reads VW engine, DSG, paint and model codes.
Separate codes with spaces, commas or new lines.
Codes not in our list
Find one code
Look up a VW PR code or search by name.
Type a code or a name to search.
Click a code to copy it. A few VW PR codes change meaning between models, so check anything important against ETKA or a dealer.
VW Paint Codes and Colors
VW paint codes are four characters, like LC9X, and appear on the vehicle data sticker. Here are the colors you'll see most on Golfs, GTIs, Jettas and Atlases.
LC9A
Pure White
Solid white on most US VWs.
LB9A
Candy White
Solid white on earlier and European cars.
LS9R
Glacier White Pearl
Tri coat pearl white.
LC9X
Deep Black Pearl
The most common VW black.
LY9T
Mythos Black Metallic
Metallic black on GTI and Golf R.
LA7W
Reflex Silver Metallic
Long running VW silver.
LD7X
Platinum Gray Metallic
Mid grey on Atlas, Tiguan and Jetta.
LH7J
Pure Grey
Flat grey on newer models.
LZ7S
Daytona Gray Pearl
Golf R and Atlas grey.
LA9W
Carbon Steel Grey Metallic
Dark grey on Mk7 Golf.
LY3D
Tornado Red
The classic GTI red.
LH5X
Night Blue Metallic
Dark blue.
LP5Y
Tourmaline Blue Metallic
Mid blue on the Atlas.
LP6W
Racing Green Metallic
Dark green.
Screen colors are approximate. Use the four character code from the data sticker when ordering paint.
High Value VW Options to Check by PR Code
Sellers often get these wrong in listings, and they make a real difference to value.
| Option | What to look for |
|---|---|
| DSG gearbox | The G codes and the gearbox code on the sticker |
| 4Motion | 1X1 instead of 1X0 |
| DCC adaptive suspension | A suspension code other than standard, and the DCC button on the dash |
| LED headlights | 8IT or 8IU |
| Adaptive cruise | 8T6 rather than 8T2 |
| Panoramic roof | 3FU |
Common VW Problems by Engine and Gearbox
The engine and gearbox codes on the data sticker tell you which of these to check.
| Issue | Affects | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Timing chain tensioner | Early EA888 2.0 TSI, like CCTA and CBFA | Proof the tensioner was updated. Failure can wreck the engine. |
| Water pump leaks | Later EA888 engines | Coolant loss and a sweet smell |
| Carbon buildup | Direct injection TSI engines | Rough idle and misfires at higher miles |
| Mechatronic faults | DQ200 7 speed DSG | Jerky low speed shifts or a flashing gear display |
| DSG service | DQ250 and DQ381 wet clutch DSG | Fluid changes on schedule |
| Diesel emissions fix | EA189 2.0 TDI | Confirm the emissions modification was done |
VW VIN Check for Recalls
The decoder shows recall campaigns by model and year. A VW dealer or Volkswagen's own recall lookup confirms the status of one car.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen's recall lookup and the myVW app search by VIN. Recall work is free at VW dealers.
NHTSA
The US government VIN search shows open safety recalls.
UK and UAE
The DVSA checker in the UK, and your VW distributor in the UAE, can check by VIN.
Full Volkswagen PR Code List and Options List
Every code in our VW decoder: PR codes by group, paint codes, engine and DSG codes, and VIN model codes.
VW PR codes: comfort, safety and technology
- 1AT Electronic Stability Control or ESP system
- 2H4 Driving profile selection
- 4E7 Power operated tailgate or trunk lid
- 4F2 Keyless access with push button start
- 4L6 Auto dimming interior rear view mirror
- 4X3 Front side airbags with curtain airbags
- 7K1 Tire pressure monitoring system
- 7X1 Rear parking sensors
- 7X2 Front and rear parking sensors
- 7X5 Park Assist or automated parking support
- 7UG Navigation system or Discover Media navigation
- 7UT Navigation system or Discover Pro navigation
- 8T2 Cruise control system
- 8T6 Adaptive cruise control
- 9S8 Multi function display or driver information system
- 9S9 Digital instrument cluster or Digital Cockpit
- 9VD Premium audio system
- 9WT App Connect or smartphone integration
- KA1 Rear view camera
- KA2 Rear view camera system with enhanced display
- 7X0 No parking sensors
- 8T0 No cruise control
- KA0 No rear view camera
VW PR codes: seats, trim and climate
- 4A3 Heated front seats
- 4A4 Heated front and rear seats
- 5ZF Rear head restraints
- 6E3 Front center armrest
- 7P4 Manually adjustable lumbar support
- 7P7 Power adjustable lumbar support
- 9AK Climatronic automatic climate control
- 9AD Manual air conditioning
- Q4H Sport comfort front seats
- Q1D Sport seats in front
- N3B Fabric seat covering
- N7K Leather appointed seat trim
- N2R V Tex leatherette seat trim
- 4A0 No seat heating
- 9AK 2 zone Climatronic automatic climate control
- 9AQ 3 zone Climatronic automatic climate control
VW PR codes: lights, roof and exterior
- 3FU Panoramic glass sunroof
- 6XQ Power folding heated exterior mirrors
- 8G1 Light Assist, automatic high beam
- 8IT LED headlights
- 8IU LED headlights with enhanced light functions
- 8Q3 Dynamic headlight range control
- 8WH Front fog lights
- 3FA No sunroof
- 3FE Electric tilt and slide sunroof
VW PR codes: drivetrain and gearbox
- 1X1 4Motion all wheel drive
- G1C 7 speed DSG dual clutch transmission
- G1D Automatic transmission or DSG transmission variant
- G0K 6 speed manual transmission
- 1X0 Front wheel drive
VW PR codes: suspension, exhaust and towing
- 0P1 Rear exhaust system variant
- 0P6 Sport exhaust system variant
- 2UA Standard suspension
- 2UC Sports suspension
- 1BQ Suspension package or sport chassis variant
- 1D2 Trailer hitch preparation or towing equipment
- 1M6 Trailer hitch mechanically swivel mounted
- 7L6 Start stop system with brake energy recovery
- 1D0 No trailer hitch
VW paint codes
- LA7W Reflex Silver Metallic paint code
- LC9X Deep Black Pearl paint code
- LB9A Candy White paint code
- LP3G Flash Red
- LR7H Indium Gray Metallic paint code
- LC9A Pure White
- LA9W Carbon Steel Grey Metallic
- LY3D Tornado Red
- LH5X Night Blue Metallic
- LS9R Glacier White Pearl
- LZ7S Daytona Gray Pearl
- LY9B Brilliant Black
- LY9C Ibis White
- LY9T Mythos Black Metallic
- LD7X Platinum Gray Metallic
- LP5Y Tourmaline Blue Metallic
- LH7J Pure Grey
- LP6W Racing Green Metallic
- LX5H Navarra Blue Metallic
- LA5J Pacific Blue Metallic
VW engine and DSG codes
- EA888 2.0 TSI turbo petrol family: GTI, Golf R, Jetta GLI, Tiguan, Passat and Atlas
- EA211 1.4 and 1.5 TSI family: Jetta, Golf and Taos
- EA189 Earlier 2.0 TDI diesel family
- EA288 Later 2.0 TDI diesel family
- CCTA 2.0 TSI petrol, Golf, GTI, Jetta and Passat, about 2008 to 2014
- CBFA 2.0 TSI petrol, low emissions version for North America
- BPY 2.0 FSI turbo, Mk5 GTI and Jetta GLI
- DKFA 2.0 TSI petrol, newer GTI and Jetta GLI in some markets
- CZPA 2.0 TSI petrol, Tiguan and larger models
- CHHB 2.0 TSI, Mk7 GTI
- CJXC 2.0 TSI, Mk7 Golf R
- CJSA 1.8 TSI, Mk7 Golf, Jetta and Passat
- CBTA 2.5 five cylinder, Jetta, Rabbit and Golf, about 2008 to 2014
- CBUA 2.5 five cylinder, Jetta, Rabbit and Golf, about 2008 to 2014
- CJAA 2.0 TDI diesel, Golf and Jetta, about 2009 to 2014
- CKRA 2.0 TDI diesel, Passat, about 2012 to 2014
- DQ200 7 speed dry clutch DSG for smaller engines
- DQ250 6 speed wet clutch DSG, GTI, GLI and TDI models
- DQ381 7 speed wet clutch DSG, later GTI, Golf R and Tiguan
- DQ500 7 speed DSG for higher torque models
- 09G 6 speed Aisin automatic, Jetta, Golf and Beetle
VW VIN prefixes and model codes
- WVW VIN prefix: VW car built in Germany
- WVG VIN prefix: VW SUV built in Germany
- 3VW VIN prefix: VW car built in Mexico: Jetta, Golf, GTI and Beetle
- 3VV VIN prefix: VW SUV built in Mexico: Tiguan and Taos
- 1VW VIN prefix: VW car built in Chattanooga: Passat
- 1V2 VIN prefix: VW SUV built in Chattanooga: Atlas
- AU Model code: Golf, 7th generation
- CD Model code: Golf, 8th generation
- 1K Model code: Golf and Jetta, 5th generation
- 5K Model code: Golf, 6th generation
- AJ Model code: Jetta, 6th generation
- BU Model code: Jetta, 7th generation
- A3 Model code: Passat built in Chattanooga
- CA Model code: Atlas
- 5N Model code: Tiguan, 1st generation
- AX Model code: Tiguan, 2nd generation, long wheelbase
VW Equipment Names and Terms
The VW equipment names you'll see in listings and on window stickers, from 4Motion, DSG and DCC to IQ.DRIVE, Digital Cockpit and R-Line.
VW feature names
- 4Motion VW all wheel drive
- DSG Direct Shift Gearbox, VW's dual clutch automatic
- DCC Dynamic Chassis Control, adaptive dampers
- IQ.LIGHT LED matrix headlights on newer models
- Digital Cockpit Digital instrument cluster
- Discover Media Touchscreen navigation system
- Discover Pro Larger touchscreen navigation system
- App-Connect Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Fender audio Premium audio on many US models
- Harman Kardon Premium audio on some models
- Beats Audio Premium audio on some Jetta and Beetle models
- IQ.DRIVE VW driver assistance suite
- Travel Assist Adaptive cruise with lane centering
- Front Assist Forward collision warning and emergency braking
- Lane Assist Lane keeping
- Side Assist Blind spot monitor
- Park Assist Automated parking
- Area View 360 degree camera
- Car-Net VW connected services
- Climatronic Automatic climate control
- V-Tex VW leatherette
- Vienna leather Leather on many US models
- Performance Package GTI package with a limited slip differential and bigger brakes
- Autobahn Top GTI grade
- R-Line Sporty styling package
- SEL Premium Top grade on many US models
- SE Mid grade
- S Entry grade
Tools and data sources
- ETKA VW Group parts catalog that dealers use to read PR codes by VIN
- Vehicle data sticker The label listing the VIN, codes and PR codes, usually in the trunk or service booklet
- Fahrzeugdatenträger German name for the vehicle data sticker
VW VIN Decoder and PR Code FAQs
Is there a free Volkswagen VIN decoder build sheet?
The vehicle data sticker is the free version, with every PR code. A VW dealer can also print the codes from ETKA using the VIN. Paste them into our decoder for plain English.
How do I get VW PR codes from the VIN?
Check the data sticker in the trunk or service booklet first. If it's missing, a VW dealer can look them up in ETKA.
What is a VW PR code?
A three character code for one piece of equipment, like 1X1 for 4Motion or 3FU for a panoramic roof. Every Volkswagen has a few dozen of them.
Where is the VW vehicle data sticker?
Usually in the spare wheel well or under the trunk floor, and often copied into the service booklet.
How do I decode a Golf or Jetta VIN?
Characters 7 and 8 give the generation: AU or CD for a Golf, AJ or BU for a Jetta. Character 10 is the year and character 11 the plant.
Why does a European VW VIN have ZZZ in it?
European VINs don't use characters 4 to 6, so VW fills them with Z. The model code still sits in characters 7 and 8.
Is your VW PR code decoder free?
Yes. Paste as many codes as you like, with no sign up.
Dale Ogden
Dale has spent more than 20 years in vehicle valuations, forecasting and asset management. He was a Forecast Manager at CAP HPI, the UK's leading vehicle valuation authority and a counterpart to Kelley Blue Book.
He helped pioneer early electric vehicle depreciation models adopted by major manufacturers, and his residual value forecasts cover more than 10,000 vehicles. Today his data led insights help buyers, enthusiasts and automotive professionals around the world.
How Much Do Your VW's PR Codes Add to Its Value?
DSG, 4Motion, DCC and the right lights all add value to a used Volkswagen. See what your PR codes add up to.
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