Vanagon in Europe, VIN questions

[Biijacz]

Hi sweet Friends! I've been a Members for years, back when I Got my first T3. This place is a wonderful source of info. Now I have a Vanagon imported from USA and I have a little issue with decoding the VIN. I know the ZZZs are supposed to be here but in my case it looks weird. The papers state there is a 2 in a place of one of those Zs and I wonder why and how it happened. Does anyone know what might be the reason for that? Also I’m pretty sure one of those first three Zs is actually a 2. Is that normal? Is it is a two, the online vin check match up for both the longer version and short one, but I just wanna calm my head a bit. Any tips appreciated!



Papers:

Body:

5th digit is (or looks like) a 2

[Beakerflo]

The VIN number is not a big secret to decode;
https://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=110

_________________
regards,
Floris van Enter
http://beakerbus.nl (Dutch)

[Biijacz]

[Beakerflo]

W - From Germany
V - Volkswagen
2 - Multi-Purpose Vehicle
Z - 1980-1991 Camper variant
A - 4-cyl petro air cooled engine
0 - if seatbelt, than a 9 should be here
25 - Vanagon version
2 - nothing
C - Model year 1982
H - Made in Hannover
089042 - production number for your specific car.
_________________
regards,
Floris van Enter
http://beakerbus.nl (Dutch)

[Biijacz]

[Beakerflo]

In Europe the vin-number started with the following;
WV2ZZZ25ZJG (my car)
The three Z's were fill-ups and did not stand for anything.

With cars imported in Amerika these were used. As you can also see with the GoWesty site.

So there can be the discrepancy. Cars in Europe ought to have the ZZZ on place 4, 5 and 6.
_________________
regards,
Floris van Enter
http://beakerbus.nl (Dutch)

[Beakerflo]

By the way, the 9th is a fill-up Z as well according to my European documentation. This is a Z in my car as well.
_________________
regards,
Floris van Enter
http://beakerbus.nl (Dutch)

[Biijacz]

[Beakerflo]

I would think so, but I can not be sure.
_________________
regards,
Floris van Enter
http://beakerbus.nl (Dutch)

[syncrodoka]

[crazyvwvanman]

For the US that number in position 9 is a mathematical construct known as a check digit. So it is a Z in the European vin but is something else in the North American vin. Exactly what it is supposed to be is different depending on the rest of of the vin#.

A mathematical process looks at all of the other letters and numbers and then generates the "check digit" to put in position 9.

The purpose of the "check digit" is to detect errors and prevent false vins from being used.

If you know someone who was educated in computer science then they can probably explain this to you such that you understand it better.

https://vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov/decoder/CheckDigit/Index/5yj3e1eaxhf000316

Mark

[Biijacz]

[Steve M.]

WV2ZA0252CH089042
WV2ZA025ZCH089042

You are correct in that the paper VIN number has a number 2 that is actually a "Z" on the metal stamped VIN.
I didn't know about the "check digit" system in the American system.

The "ZA0" is completely different change of the numbers that are stamped on the body.

The "ZAO" is correct as far as telling what the vehicle is per the VIN Decoder for VW cars.
Is it going to be a problem? I mean you have the official paperwork given to the "Official Office" for importing the vehicle and it was accepted as legal.
What happens when a policemen on the street sees it on your Vanagon?
What are they going to think?

I do not know how your official bureaucracy works over there in regards to something like this, but perhaps you need to have a conversation with them about it. Bringing a good clear picture and all the VW Vin decoder info you have found to them so they understand like you do.
If they say it needs to be corrected they will probably do so it "fits" your Polish system. Maybe they will understand the worldwide system and say it is okay.

My own VIN number registration is still showing the three "Z's" on the paper work. However, my vehicle was imported by myself like you imported yours into Poland. So I was the person at the registration office getting the numbers entered into the "system" as they actually were on the body of the vehicle. i was glad I was doing it as the clerk i met that day wasn't even sure of what day it was!
However, now I inputted my VIN number into the check digit website and it shows my VIN as being in error...sigh...I need more coffee!
_________________
This free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it.

There are seven days in a week. Someday is not one of them.

[ZsZ]

The US standard "full" VIN is only present at the dash VIN panel. The crossmember stamped chassis NR is the VW standard and uses Z-s as placeholders where the US Type specific VIN codes are.

On european type approval those information either was not relevant or was part of the ABE approval nr. which was stamped on the Type approval plate in the passenger side door jamb at the A pillar.

You should contact the official VW importer to make an official statement about the two VINs
_________________
Zoltan
1.9 MTdi 2wd Multivan (ex Caravelle)
Van since 2006, engine since 2008

[crazyvwvanman]

In North American models there is an additional Federal manufacturing sticker in the driver front door opening. It has various info on it including the "complete" vin. In Calif the DMV inspector looks for that Federal sticker and expects the vin number on it to match the dash plate number and the paperwork number. Models built for Canada used a Canadian version of the sticker.

Mark

[kamzcab86]

[Biijacz]

[loverofpeace]

So strange discovered that my ‘82 T3 is in fact an ‘86 according to the vin number.

[Biijacz]

Fun (not really) fact. Both plates from the inside are missing. I mean the one on the passenger door and the one under the driver seat. I was aware that the one on the door is missing but the one under the seat was supposed to be there. It’s not. Or at least I can’t find it. I have the one on the dashboard and that’s about it.

[loverofpeace]