Volkswagen Golf
WVWZZZ1JStock varies — page stays liveThe fourth-generation Golf (Typ 1J) represented a massive leap forward in interior cabin quality, structural rigidity, and corrosion protection using fully galvanized bodies, setting a new class premium standard.
Engine
1.9 TDI ALH
Displacement
1,896 cc
Drive
2WD (FF)
Gearbox
5MT / 4AT
Fuel
Diesel
Body
Hatchback
Volkswagen Golf — representative 4th Gen (Mk4) imageChassis variants of the Golf
ChassisEngineDisplacementDriveGearbox
WVWZZZ1J1.9 TDI ALH1,896 ccFF5MT / 4AT
WVWZZZ1JZ1.8T AUM1,781 ccFF5MT / 5ATWVWZZZ1K2.0 TDI BKD1,968 ccFF6MT / 6DSGDimensions & shipping volume
Length
4,149 mm
Width
1,735 mm
Height
1,439 mm
Weight
1,240 kg
Shipping volume
10.36 M³
Manufacture year vs. registration year
Japanese paperwork shows the first registration date, but African customs count age from the month of manufacture. Verify with the chassis serial before purchase:
Serial prefixProduction periodSeries
WVWZZZ1JZWXXXXXXOct 1997 – Jul 19981998 Model Year (W)
WVWZZZ1JZXXXXXXXAug 1998 – Jul 19991999 Model Year (X)
WVWZZZ1JZYXXXXXXAug 1999 – Jul 20002000 Model Year (Y)
Import eligibility by country
Age limits are counted from the month of manufacture, not first registration. This WVWZZZ1J was produced 1997–2003; the statuses below are checked against Jul 2026.
KenyaNot eligible
8-year limit from manufacture — all units now exceed it.UgandaNot eligible
15-year limit from manufacture — all units now exceed it.TanzaniaEligible
No age ban; vehicles over 10 years pay additional excise duty.ZambiaEligible
No age limit; surtax applies to vehicles older than 5 years.MalawiEligible
No age limit; duty calculated on cc and age band.Common questions about the WVWZZZ1J
What does WVWZZZ1J indicate in the VIN?
WVW stands for Volkswagen AG passenger car, ZZZ are filler characters for the European market, and 1J represents the fourth-generation Golf platform.
What is the reputation of the 1.9 TDI ALH engine in this chassis?
The ALH engine is widely considered one of the most reliable diesel engines ever built, praised for its extreme durability and high fuel economy.