Where the OBD port is on the Golf, Passat and Octavia
| Model | Where the port is |
|---|---|
| Golf 3 (1991–1997) | Centre console, behind a cover above the cigarette lighter |
| Golf 4 (1997–2004) | Centre console, behind a cover under the heating controls |
| Golf 5 (2004–2009) | Left under the steering wheel, above the left footrest |
| Golf 6 (2008–2012) | Left under the steering wheel, above the pedals |
| Golf 7 (2012–2020) | Left under the steering wheel, above the left footrest |
| Golf 8 (from 2019) | Above the left footrest, behind a plastic cover |
| Passat B5 and B5.5 (up to 2005) | Under the steering wheel, above the brake pedal. On some it is under a cover by the handbrake. |
| Passat B6 (2005–2010) | Under the dashboard, above the bonnet release lever |
| Passat B7 (2010–2015) | Left under the steering wheel, above the pedals |
| Passat B8 (from 2015) | Top left, above the pedals |
| Octavia 2 (2004–2013) | Left of the pedals |
| Octavia 3 (2013–2020) | Left under the steering wheel, by the bonnet release lever |
| Octavia 4 (from 2019) | Under the steering wheel, above the left footrest |
The port has 16 pins, small holes in 2 rows, and a D shape. On the Golf 5, 6 and 7 it is behind a cover in the plastic under the dashboard. Gently pull the cover or flip it down.
Some Golf 3s have a different connectorBehind the centre console there is a connector that a standard OBD device does not fit.
The thief knows the same spot
On cars of the same model the port is in the same place, so the thief knows where to look. He plugs in a device like the one garages use, and the car accepts a blank key as its own. More about theft through the OBD port
According to Serbian Ministry of Interior (MUP) data, Volkswagens are stolen most in Serbia: the Golf from the 2nd to the 7th generation, then the Passat, Polo, Touran, Tiguan and Caddy. Škoda is also on the list of makes that get stolen.
Where the port is on the Polo, Touran, Tiguan, Caddy and Fabia
| Model | Where the port is |
|---|---|
| Polo 4 (2001–2009) | Centre console, inside the ashtray |
| Polo 5 (2009–2017) | Above the accelerator pedal |
| Touran 1 (2003–2010) | Under the steering wheel, behind a cover you pull off |
| Tiguan 1 (2007–2016) | Under the steering wheel, by the bonnet release lever |
| Tiguan 2 (from 2016) | Left under the steering wheel, above the left footrest |
| Caddy 3 (2003–2015) | Under the steering wheel, behind a cover |
| Fabia 2 | Under the steering wheel, behind a cover you pull towards you |
| Fabia 3 | Left under the steering wheel, left of the pedals |
Your model isn't in the table? Message us on WhatsApp with the make, model and year, and we'll tell you where the port is. More about where the OBD port is on other makes
The port isn't in its place or doesn't work
The port is not in its placeIt has most likely been relocated. This often happens with used cars: the previous owner fitted theft protection and did not tell the new owner. Check whether a small adapter or cable came with the car.
The port is there but does not workIf a relocation is fitted, the port works only when the small adapter is plugged into the hidden socket. If an electronic blocker is fitted, it works only once you switch it off: with an adapter with a code, a fob or through the alarm. More about a lost OBD cable or adapter
The device does not power on at allThe port may have no power. On Volkswagens the port often shares a fuse with the cigarette lighter.
Diagnostics and coding go through the same port
Diagnostics go through the OBD port: engine, gearbox, ABS and airbag faults. A cheap phone reader reads only basic engine faults, and Volkswagen stores many warnings in the gearbox, ABS and airbag computers.
We read faults from all the computers in the car, not just the engine, and explain what is urgent. If the port has been relocated, bring the adapter and diagnostics work as before. More about car diagnostics
Coding goes through the same port: we switch on features your car has but that are switched off at the factory. More about coding
Which protection stops which theft
The thief makes a new key through the portRelocation or an electronic blocker: without your adapter, or while the blocker is switched on, the port does not work. More about OBD port relocation · More about the electronic OBD blocker
The car has a keyless keyThe car unlocks when you approach and starts with a button, without taking out the key. Volkswagen and Škoda call this system KESSY, and it has been available on the Golf and Tiguan since 2010. The thief catches your key's signal and carries it to the car, so he does not need the port. A key pouch that blocks the signal and an immobiliser help: the engine won't start without your fob. More about keyless theft
The thief connects to the wires behind the headlightThe thief removes part of the bumper, connects a small device to the headlight wiring and sends the car a fake message that the key is present. An immobiliser or an alarm that blocks the ignition helps. More about the immobiliser
Which protection: it depends on the car
- A Golf, Passat or Octavia without a keyless key: relocation or an electronic blocker.
- A more expensive car: relocation and a blocker together, and for the whole car also an immobiliser and GPS, so you can see where the car is. More about GPS vehicle tracking
Buying a used Golf, Passat or Octavia
- Check whether the port is in the spot from the table. If it isn't, ask the seller where it is and whether an adapter comes with the car. Without the adapter diagnostics do not work, neither at the garage nor at the technical inspection.
- Ask how many keys you get. Kasko insurance can refuse to pay for a theft if you do not hand over all the original keys when you report it, because the car is then considered to have been unlocked. More about kasko and theft
- Before you buy, book a fault reading from all the computers, not just the engine. More about car diagnostics
