The most technical way VW garages talk about their cars?

[LeCanonnier2020]

Edit: Sorry, title should say 'VW garages', not 'VW drivers'
I wonder if anyone can help. I'm working on something where I'd like to communicate with the garages that work on VW Group cars and encourage them to buy parts from me direct. To do this, I want them to know I speak their 'language'. With this in mind, what is the most in-depth, technical way you could identify a certain model and spec of VW/SEAT/Audi etc? The best I can find so far is the type number that identifies the generation of the car - for a specific Fabia, it's Typ 5J; for a specific VW Golf, it's Mk7 Typ 5G, etc.

What I'd like to know is, does it get any more complicated than this? Is there a string of letters and numbers that a garage might use to identify a certain model, generation and exact spec of a car - a 5JXCY12 or something? (Aside from the VIN number, which I know is individual to every car.)

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Edited by LeCanonnier2020 on Wednesday 24th August 11:46

[MDMA .]

VW garages/dealers work on vehicle registration’s or chassis numbers. That’s it. Their system will have all the info they need from the VIN.

[FatboyKim]

The most accurate way is simply giving the car's VIN. Stating that it's an Audi D3 or VW Golf 1K or 5G etc. is just going to lead to further questions about the trim level and engine etc. and is never going to be accurate enough.


If you want to be ultra geeky about it, once you understand the format of VAG VINs it's fairly easy to decode the exact model concerned.

Positions 1-3: World manufacturer identifier (e.g., "W" for Germany and "AU" for Audi, "VW" for VW for example).
Positions 4-8: Body type, engine type, and safety restraints (seat belts); also contains the base weight and wheel base.
Position 9: Authenticates that the VIN number is "accurate" and "valid."
Position 10: Model year.
Position 11: Build plant code.
Positions 12-17: Individual serial or production number, which is authentic to each new vehicle manufactured.

[the-norseman]

VW group garages also get their parts direct from TPS.

[Cledus Snow]

the-norseman said:

VW group garages also get their parts direct from TPS.

Not all of them.

[MDMA .]

Cledus Snow said:

the-norseman said:

VW group garages also get their parts direct from TPS.

Not all of them.

All franchise garages will. Maybe some independent, none franchise garages (not main dealers) will use some local trade places, but for genuine parts, it will be TPS.

[Olivergt]

LeCanonnier2020 said:

Edit: Sorry, title should say 'VW garages', not 'VW drivers'
I wonder if anyone can help. I'm working on something where I'd like to communicate with the garages that work on VW Group cars and encourage them to buy parts from me direct. To do this, I want them to know I speak their 'language'. With this in mind, what is the most in-depth, technical way you could identify a certain model and spec of VW/SEAT/Audi etc? The best I can find so far is the type number that identifies the generation of the car - for a specific Fabia, it's Typ 5J; for a specific VW Golf, it's Mk7 Typ 5G, etc.

What I'd like to know is, does it get any more complicated than this? Is there a string of letters and numbers that a garage might use to identify a certain model, generation and exact spec of a car - a 5JXCY12 or something? (Aside from the VIN number, which I know is individual to every car.)

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks

Edited by LeCanonnier2020 on Wednesday 24th August 11:46

I don't mean to be rude, but you either speak their language or you don't.

If you try and sell your idea by using a few buzzwords that sound like you know what you are doing, you are going to get caught out.

Would it not be better to use your expertise in your idea to sell it, if it has merit and is worth taking up, you shouldn't have any issues.

[Baldchap]

Their biggest selling item has now been discontinued, so strike it off the list. Part 199 398 500 A.

[ninjag]

I don't even get asked for my vin anymore, just my registration number when getting a part from the Audi Main Dealer.

[InitialDave]

What are you trying to sell them?

[Aunty Pasty]

As a consumer I would want to know what genuine parts they are compatible/a direct substitute for.

ie My part XYZ is compatible with VW part number 123456 789

[FatboyKim]

ninjag said:

I don't even get asked for my vin anymore, just my registration number when getting a part from the Audi Main Dealer.

Works well in principle, but I had a 2002 Audi S8 (D2) with an 'S8 ***' private plate. Then changed that to a 2008 S8 (D3) and transferred the number plate. The Audi main dealer parts department forever brought up my old D2 S8 whenever I gave the reg. This continued for years, so I always gave the VIN as that's the most accurate method.

Or just looked up the part number myself and asked for that. Certain parts on the S8 were identical to those on the A6 but telling them it's an S8 seemed to give them a boner and immediately attract an 'S' or 'RS' tax, which became incredibly frustrating.

Edited by FatboyKim on Thursday 25th August 10:53

[ninjag]

FatboyKim said:

ninjag said:

I don't even get asked for my vin anymore, just my registration number when getting a part from the Audi Main Dealer.

Works well in principle, but I had a 2002 Audi S8 (D2) with an 'S8 ***' private plate. Then changed that to a 2008 S8 (D3) and transferred the number plate. The Audi main dealer parts department forever brought up my old D2 S8 whenever I gave the reg. This continued for years, so I always gave the VIN as that's the most accurate method.

Or just looked up the part number myself and asked for that. Certain parts on the S8 were identical to those on the A6 but telling them it's an S8 seemed to give them a boner and immediately attract an 'S' or 'RS' tax, which became incredibly frustrating.

Edited by FatboyKim on Thursday 25th August 10:53

They always read my year and model back to me, but I would agree that VIN would be most accurate method. I've also got a private plate but for a while after changing it I would still give them my old plate number.

I do the same and usually look up the part number myself, but there have been the odd time they've got a newer/revised part presumably due to their system being bang up to date compared to the site I use. I think it was the x-brace bolts underneath the transmission.