How to identify a bug's year of manufacture

[Kbro]

Hi all,

Looking at a beetle to buy but I don't know what year it is. Haven't accessed any numbers on it yet but I do have pics. If you know your beetles can you help me identify the year??

Can pm some pics to help with the ID.

Thanks in advance
Rob

[Tony Z]

post the pictures here, I am sure someone will be able to help

[fig]

Early Beetles up to the end of the 1964 model year (7/64) had sequential VINs. From the start of the 1965 model year (8/64) VW moved to a 9-digit VIN format, where the 1st digit specified model range, the 2nd digit model type and the 3rd digit year model, followed by a 6-digit sequential production number.

So, 115 xxx xxx represents a 1965 Beetle (1965 model year ran fro 8/64 to 7/65). From MY 1970 VW VINs had 10 digits, with the 4th digit always 2, to differentiate from earlier 9-digit VINs. So 115 2 xxx xxx would denote a 1975 Beetle (built between 8/74 and 7/75).

There are lots of websites where you can look up the age of earlier VINs, or which show VIN production by month. Check out www.thesamba.com/vw for a very comprehensive website of VW information. VIN and other codes are listed under the Technical menu.

The registration documents are not a definitive source of any info about a car, as errors are very common.

[John Alves]

The registration documents are not a definitive source of any info about a car, as errors are very common.

I have a trailer that is registered as a Volkswagen

[retrovan]

.......Haven't accessed any numbers on it yet ......

Finding the vin number is the most important as you need it to register the car.

This is normally on a manufacturers plate in the hood / front bonnet area, and near the spare wheel.

Also can be found in some models on the center bump under the back seat.

Quote these numbers and the experts will give you as much info as you need.

Good luck with the car
Herman