Decoding VINs

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Maxwell Smart
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Joined: 04.11.2003
Location: London

Decoding VINs

1-3 : Series (i.e. 460/461/463).
4 : Engine (2 = Petrol, 3 = Diesel)
5 : Design (0 = Convertible, 1 = Not Used, 2 = Stationwagon)
6 : Wheelbase
0= Short M102E20 2400
1= Long M102E20 2850
4= Short M102E23/OM602 2400
5= Long M102E23/OM602 2850
6= Not used
7= Short M103E30/OM603 2400
8= Long M103E30/OM603 2850
9=Not used
7-8 : Steering & Condition as supplied.
17= Left hand drive installed
27= Right hand drive installed
57= Left hand drive CKD, COMPLETE-Vehicle
67= Right hand drive CKD, COMPLETE-Vehicle
9-14 : Serial Number.

Note: Values in brackets are for the 463 model range.

Example:
WDB 463 241 1X 122000

The 463 part is for the Series, thus the 463 chassis.
The 2 is for the Gasoline Engine. A 3 would be diesel.
The 4 is to show it is a station wagon. This could be a 2, 3, or 4. The convertible is designated by a 0 or 5. This has some correlation with the engine used. For example a 241 is the LWB G 500 with the M 113 engine where the 231 is the LWB G 320 with the M 104 engine. But a 206 is a G 500 Cabriolet, so there is not any clear way of determining other than memorizing the whole spectrum.
The 1 is to show it is a long wheelbase (2850 mm). This could be a 1, 3, 5 or 8. The short wheel base (2400 mm) could be a 0, 2, 4, 6, 7, or 9.
The 1 is to show the vehicle is a left-hand steering. A 2 would designate a right-hand steering. A 5 or a 7 would designate a CKD or Complete Knock Down vehicle.
The X is new with the G 500 (or possibly the G 320 with a V6). It used to have a 7 in its place. The 7 did not really have a meaning, but the X means it was built in the Graz plant.
The 122000 is the sequential vehicle number. The Puch will have a VAG in the prefix of the VIN and a 9 as the first digit of the sequential vehicle number.