Jurgen
One of the good things about a forum like this is it allows discussion of a wide range of issues. Occasionally these become controversial and exchanges have to cease, but this is not one of them. Therefore feel free to continue asking questions on this topic as you wish and don't let the 'old lags' intimidate you![
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The MkIV Register may provide some insight into this as all the MkIVs whose VIN numbers are recorded, have the format SA9 followed by 'AK' with the exception of one car with a recorded date of January 1997 for which 'AK' is replaced by 'AC' in the VIN number, according to the Register.
As ANF289 posted in 2008, the VIN numbers can be decoded as follows:
Example VIN for AK 1069:
SA9AK3025FA017069
Decoder:
SA9 = British Standard
AK = Manufacturer - Autokraft
302 = Engine size
5 = Check sum number
F = Model Year (1985) (G = 1986, H = 1987, J = 1988 K = 1989, L = 1990, M = 1991 N = 1992 P = 1993).
A = Plant A or B
017 = British Standard
069 = Chassis production number since 1985 (Cars not necessarily produced in numerical order).
Mark