Where is the VIN number located on a Beetle?
3 Answers
The VIN number of a Beetle is stamped on the right side of the floor panel under the rear seat, to the left of the spare wheel well at the rear of the vehicle. The VIN, short for Vehicle Identification Number, is a unique code assigned by the manufacturer to identify each vehicle. The VIN is a 17-character alphanumeric code, also known as the 17-digit identification number, chassis number, or 17-digit code. This combination ensures that no two vehicles of the same model will have the same number within 30 years, providing a unique identifier for each car. This sequence of numbers reveals information such as the country of manufacture, manufacturer, year, model, engine type, and other specifications, making it essentially the "car's ID card." The 17-character VIN is divided into three parts: the first part is the WMI—World Manufacturer Identifier (positions 1-3), the second part is the VDS—Vehicle Descriptor Section (positions 4-9), and the third part is the VIS—Vehicle Identifier Section (positions 10-17).
As a veteran Volkswagen owner, I know this like the back of my hand! The Beetle's VIN is usually located at the lower left corner of the windshield – you can see the 17-digit stamped number through the glass. Additionally, when you open the driver's door, there's a metal tag with the VIN engraved on the door sill. For situations requiring a rubbing of the number, pop open the hood and you'll find the original stamped VIN on the firewall plate near the wiper assembly. Some model years even have a stamped VIN under the floor mat of the passenger seat – a spot many people overlook. Always verify that these numbers match when inspecting a car, especially when buying used vehicles.
Last time when helping a friend inspect a Beetle, I noticed a detail: besides the obvious serial number at the lower left corner of the windshield, there's a more original stamped number hidden in the engine bay. Lift the hood and look near the top of the right front shock absorber tower; the embossed numbers directly stamped on the firewall are the most reliable. A tire shop worker told me that the label on the door B-pillar can sometimes wear out, but the stamped numbers on the firewall won't fade even in twenty years. If you need to make a rubbing of the chassis number for accident repairs, it's recommended to bring a piece of carbon paper to rub the stamped number—it's much more accurate than copying from the label.
