VW T4 parts (1990-2003): the complete guide, from the part to the VAG number to buying it

The question "what is the part number for this?" is one of the most common in the community, closely followed by "and where do I find it?". This guide answers both, in two parts: the first explains how to find the VAG number with ETKA and IFINTERFACE, the second where to look for the part and how to buy it without nasty surprises.

Thanks to the people who wrote it. This guide comes from two posts on the T4UM forum: heartfelt thanks to CiekkoVanBarbon, author of the first part (original post), and to Giorgio, author of the second (original post). Their texts have been merged, revised and updated for t4um.it.

Part 1 – From the part to the VAG number

By CiekkoVanBarbon

With an online parts catalogue and a few minutes of practice you can almost always find the original number of a part yourself, and be sure it is the right one for your T4.

What ETKA is

ETKA (Elektronischer Teilekatalog, "electronic parts catalogue") is the official parts catalogue of the Volkswagen Group: it covers Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Škoda and Cupra, as well as VW Commercial Vehicles. It is the tool workshops and dealers use to find original part numbers from the chassis number, with exploded diagrams of every group of components.

The original software is paid for and restricted to the official network. Over the years, though, several web interfaces have appeared that show the same data, often updated with some delay, and can be browsed for free or after registering.

What IFINTERFACE is

IFINTERFACE is a portal that brings together several ETKA/EPC-style catalogues online, including the module called CarProg2. There is nothing to install: you open it in your browser and browse the database directly. In the community it is widely used to check a part number or look at the exploded diagram of a group without going to a VAG workshop.

Finding your way around the catalogue

The logic is the same in every ETKA-style catalogue. You start by selecting the vehicle from the menus at the top:

Parts are divided into main groups numbered 0 to 9 (engine, fuel and exhaust, transmission, front axle and steering, and so on). Each group contains illustrations, the exploded diagrams you often see online. Each illustration has a number, a description, a remark and the list of engine codes it applies to.

Worked example: the outer front driveshaft boot

Once you have chosen the year of the van, you get to the part number in three steps.

1. Choose the group. The driveshaft boot is in group 4 – Front axle, steering.

2. Choose the illustration. In the list on the right, look for the right illustration: here it is 407-020 "Albero di trasmissione per cambio meccanico" (drive shaft for manual gearbox), with the remark "ant." (front) and valid for engines AAC, ABL, ACV, AES, AET, AEU, AJA, AJT, APL, AVT, AYC and AYY. Check that your engine code is on the list: if not, the right illustration is another one, for example 407-025 for AHY and AXG.

3. Choose the part. Find the part number in the exploded diagram and read the code in the table: the outer boot is position 22, part number 701 498 203 A "coprigiunto con parti di montaggio e grasso" (boot with fitting parts and grease).

How to read the parts table

Not sure which group to look in? Ask AI

The hardest part is working out which group a part is in. An artificial intelligence assistant can help, with a question along these lines:

Hi, I am looking for a spare part for my VW T4 in the online catalogue IFINTERFACE.COM. Which of the available groups contains the exploded diagrams of the front passenger seat belts?

It is not infallible, but if you attach a screenshot of the available groups to your question it usually gets close.

A tip: do not use the "back" button

On IFINTERFACE the browser's "back" button sends you back to the start. If you end up in the wrong exploded diagram, select any other group, then go back to the group you want and carry on from there.

Part 2 – From the VAG number to the part

By Giorgio

The T4 was sold from September 1990 to spring 2003: today our vans are between 23 and 36 years old. Production proper ran from early 1990 to June 2003 in Hanover, and in some plants abroad it went on until the first months of 2004. VW's obligation to supply parts ended long ago, but the T4 was built in millions and the parts market in Europe is still surprisingly rich. All it takes is a bit of method, whether you order through a dealer or your trusted parts shop, or prefer to search for yourself.

The golden rule: never buy "by eye"

There are dozens of T4 variants:

• Transporter, Caravelle, Multivan and California versions (Westfalia, Dehler, Carthago, Karmann and others);
• petrol and diesel engines;
• short and long wheelbase;
• front-wheel drive and Syncro;
• different gearboxes;
• many updates over the production years.

Two parts that look identical can be incompatible. Before buying anything you need the VAG number (the ETKA number, see Part 1): sometimes a different final letter is all it takes to end up with the wrong part.

Always search by part number

The original number is a universal language: with it you find genuine Volkswagen, OEM, aftermarket and used parts.

Watch out for superseded numbers. VW sometimes updates its part numbers: a part that started out as 701 XXX XXX may have been superseded by a 7D0 XXX XXX or by a completely different number. ETKA catalogues usually show these supersessions, so do not stop at the first number you find.

How to read a VAG number. VAG numbers "speak": they usually have three blocks, plus any extensions. Take as an example the glovebox 701 867 131 A 2XL.

Genuine, OEM or aftermarket?

Volkswagen Classic Parts is VW's official division for classic and discontinued models. It handles both original warehouse stock (NOS, New Old Stock) and official reproductions made with the original tooling. The T4 catalogue can be browsed on the official Volkswagen Classic Parts website.

Where to buy

The main channels are:

• the VW dealer, who can also order Classic Parts items through their system;
• local parts shops;
• specialist online shops;
• breakers' yards;
• European marketplaces;
• private ads and forums.

For discontinued parts it always pays to widen the search to the whole of Europe.

European Union and United Kingdom. When buying within the European Union there are no customs, VAT is paid at the time of purchase and consumer rights (such as the 14-day right of withdrawal on Ovoko or Allegro) are protected by the same European laws. From the United Kingdom, on the other hand, since Brexit you pay Italian VAT at 22% on import, any duties and the courier's clearance fees: the final price can go up by as much as 30-40%. Some sellers, such as JustKampers, have opened warehouses inside the EU to avoid the problem: check that you pay in euros and that the wording DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) appears.

Online shops and marketplaces

The Autodoc trick: the group also runs the Italian sites auto-doc.it and autoparti.it. Part numbers, warehouses and logistics are the same, but prices change from country to country: the German site is usually the cheapest. Simulate the order on each site, shipping included, and pick the cheapest. Tyres, however, can only be ordered from the Italian sites.

Breakers with a European network

Camper versions

• California and Multivan Westfalia follow the normal ETKA catalogue.
• T4s converted by other companies (Carthago, Dehler, Reimo, Karmann…) have a VW base vehicle, but for the conversion parts you need specialist suppliers or the used market.
• Many components such as water pumps, taps, fridges, heaters, roof vents, windows and hinges are made by companies like Dometic, Electrolux, Comet, Seitz, Thetford, Truma and Waeco. Some are now very hard to find, such as the Cramer ones.

Beware of scams

The pattern is almost always the same:

1. a listing on a website or on a carefully built social media profile, with prices well below average;
2. when it is time to pay, you are asked for a bank transfer to an IBAN linked to a prepaid card, not to the company in the ad;
3. sometimes a fake invoice even arrives, to reassure you;
4. the part never arrives and the contacts become unreachable.

If you have evidence or information about a case, share it with the community and report it to the Polizia Postale (the Italian police unit for online crime) using the form on their website.

Tips for finding used parts

Some parts no longer exist new: in those cases used is the only way.

1. Search for the number in every spelling. With a number such as 701 857 209 A 7XM (a medium grey speaker grille), search both with spaces and all run together: "701 857 209 A 7XM", "701857209A 7XM", "701857209A7XM". Also try just the first nine characters, "701857209": sellers often copy the number only in part.
2. Use the names in other languages. Some ads slip past search engines: add the terms used in ETKA in the various languages. For the speaker grille: Lautsprecherblende (German), loudspeaker trim (English), écran de haut-parleur (French), recubrimiento altavoz (Spanish), luidsprekerrooster (Dutch), blenda głośnika (Polish).
3. Try image search, for example with Google Lens.
4. Ask the breakers. Whoever dismantles an end-of-life T4 rarely lists every part available: ask them directly.
5. Weigh up the risks. A used part is worth it if you accept the wear and it does not compromise safety.
6. Look for alternatives from other models. A part that is "no longer available" can sometimes be replaced with one from another Volkswagen or Audi model (there is a thread about it on the forum).
7. Set up alerts. If you cannot find the part today, it might turn up tomorrow: save the search and turn on email alerts on Subito, Kleinanzeigen, eBay and the other classifieds sites.

Forums and community

Forums are a goldmine: often someone has already had the same problem and, with help from others, found the solution. Besides the T4UM forum, the main European references are:

Have a look at their used-parts marketplaces or, once you have registered and introduced yourself, post a wanted ad. On Facebook you can also do it in the T4UM group.

In conclusion

Owning a T4 today means becoming a bit of a parts dealer, a bit of a detective and a bit of an archaeologist. The good news is that, despite its age, the T4 still has a community of enthusiasts and a European market that support it brilliantly.

Thanks again to CiekkoVanBarbon and Giorgio for the time and experience they have shared with everyone. Happy miles!