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Decode Your Chassis Number

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93K views 25 replies 13 participants last post by  jaimoashleyallen43  
#1 · (Edited)
Decoding The Chassis Number or VIN number

Since 1982, all vehicles leaving the production line are required to have a 17 digit chassis number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Here follows a break down of the T4's chassis number system - as found stamped on the scuttle panel below the windscreen, and on the top of the dashboard on some export models. There should be a data card attached behind the rubber trim in the driver's footwell adjacent to the fusebbox, and inside the front cover of the service booklet.

Base Model Range

___ ZZZ 70 Z L H xxxxxx

  • WV1 - Commercial vehicles (Vans and Pick-ups)
  • WV2 - Leisure vehicles (Campers, Caravelles, Eurovans, Kombis)
  • WV3 - Chassis cabs and Power Cabs for specialist applications
WV refers to vehicles produced in Europe - vehicles produced elsewhere will have a different set of characters.

Filler Codes

WV1 ___ 70 _ L H xxxxxx

The Z’s are filler codes and only serve to pad out the VIN number to the European standard 17 digit code. This is where special options or requirements are noted on the chassis number.

Type Code

WV1 ZZZ __ Z L H xxxxxx

The VW Type Code for the T4 is simply 70

Model years

WV1 ZZZ 70 Z _ H xxxxxx

Model Years ran from August in the preceeding year to July of the year indicated until 2001 model year which started in May 2000 in the preceeding year.

T4a

  • 1990 - L - European launch in January
  • 1991 - M - UK launch in August 1990
  • 1992 - N -
  • 1993 - P - 1992 launch of Euro 2 compliant 1.9 Umwelt TD; Eurovan range introduced in States; Australian and Canadian launch; CKD Production - Poland, Taiwan, Indonesia
  • 1994 - R - 500,000<sup>th</sup> T4 made at Hanover
  • 1995 - S - imports to States of Eurovan 7-seater models cease
  • 1996 - T - to December 1995 (< T_199000); August launch of Euro 2 compliant TDI
T4b
  • 1996 - T - launch January (T_200001 >) including the American Market Eurovan Weekender VR6
  • 1997 - V -
  • 1998 - W - launch of Euro 2 compliant TDI and TDI Syncro; 1,000,000<sup>th</sup> T4
  • 1999 - X - launch of Euro 2 compliant TDI
  • 2000 - Y - to April 2000 - 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary editions; launch of V6; relaunch of 7 seater Eurovan GLS V6 in States; launch of TDI in Australia;
  • 2001 - 1 - from May 2000 - Caravelle range revamp;
  • 2002 - 2 - X-pack long nose option available in the UK
  • 2003/4 - 3/4 - Final Edition Multivans and Westfalia Generation are produced alongside T5 from March 2003
  • 2005 - the final Eurovan is sold in States in September 2004; the 10 millionth VW Transporter (including LT, Trucks and Buses) leaves the production line (a T5)
Where T4’s were made

WV1 ZZZ 70 Z L _ xxxxxx


  • H - Hanover, Germany
  • X - Poznan, Poland from 1993
  • C -Taiwan (built under license by Chin Chun Motors Ltd from 1993)
  • J - Jakata, Indonesia (built under license by PT Garuda Mataran Motor Company)

Production Serial Number

WV1 ZZZ 70 Z L H ______

This is merely a six digit sequential number relating to the numbers leaving the production lines.

http://www.dubnetworks.net/vw-vin-decoder.htm
 
#11 ·
By rights now that you have discovered the mistake you should write off to the DVLA and ask them to change the V5 - VW wrote to all T4 owners about 8 years ago when this discrepancy was discovered, so you are not alone. That's when I took the opportunity to change my 800 Special van's V5 to motorcaravan...

Also, lots of personally imported VW's, Audi's and Porsches have the ZZZ's of their chassis numbers logged as 222's...

As to any problems this may cause for you - it depends on what model do you own, and is it modified/converted to a camper, and how old is it?
 
#12 ·
Hiya Thanks for your reply.. :ILU:

Its a 1200 2.4D LWB Panel Van R-reg only had it a year :-S I was going to convert it and was starting to get my act together to get some quotes on bodywork and a respray..

Log book says leisure vehicle, chassis plate says not.. are there any forseeable problems that you are aware of? :confused:

Thanks

Jayne
 
#13 ·
Leisure Vehicle may not mean Motor Caravan - probably means Day Van...

Unfortunately the definition of Motor Caravan is quite specific for the rereg - unless you convert it to a full camper, you won't be able to reregister, so there will be no point in the down plate, so the van will be subject to the ÂŁ100 daily LEZ charge...
 
#14 ·
Please can anyone tell me how to find out what group my 888 special x-pack 2003 sits in as I cant find the info on the van? There are 8 groups and I need to no mine so I can determine the correct wheel alignment specifications, cheers in advance and ive already looked on A-piller and not there. I do have the sticker on the bottom of fuse box but cant work out the group?
 
#15 ·
If you are looking for the suspension production (PR) code it will be on the data sheet...

OJ1 = reduced payload (800 and 888 Specials) and lowered suspension
OJ2 = standard payload (1000kg)
OJ3 = increased payload (1200kg)

These production codes will refer to spring weights, torsion bar and antiroll bar thickness, but by now most suppliers will only sell
heavy duty 1200kg rear springs or quality lowering springs, due to their tendancy to break.

800's and 888's have the thinnest front antiroll bar and no rear roll bar, whilst some 1000's, 1200's and Caravelles came with a rear roll bar fitted. However, the factory rear springs for OJ1 and OJ2 vans are the same, but 1000kg vans have a thicker front antiroll bar.

However, if your van is lowered beyond factory spec then there are no values for setting the wheel alignment, so you're probably best to start with all four wheels aligned at the OJ1 spec, and go from there. By the way, having the tyre pressures spot on will make any alignment check more accurate.
 
#21 ·
I got my letter from DVLA last week advising of same thing "discrepancy" between V5 and VIN provided by MOT I had my van put through.
Sure enough the van and MOT say WV1 but V5 says WV2. I've completed form they sent me and returned. Not TOO concerned as the tester is a T4 nut and knows the vans inside out however what has concerned me is that I have the previous MOT certificate from last year when previous keeper took it in and THAT certificate states WV2!!!

Could something dodgy be going on here with the previous garage, the WV1 VIN is clearly stamped under the windscreen and easily visible on the sticker when you lift the bonnet
 
#22 ·
Sent me a letter back to tell me all was fine and a new mot certificate but no new log book. Maybe that was because i said i wanted to register it as a motorhome but never got round to it yet. Saying all that the dvla are issuing new logbooks for every vehicle in the uk due to stolen certificates.T: