If you bought the car used, check if they wrote the code in the manual or on the radio unit itself. How to Retrieve a Lost Code
suggests that many older models primarily utilize codes in the 0000–1999 Where to Find Your Specific Code vw radio codes list
Open your glovebox. Look for a handwritten or printed sticker. Many dealerships wrote the 4-digit code directly on: If you bought the car used, check if
B. Quick: Retrieve code via radio removal If you bought the car used