How to decode a 2002 BMW 530i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2002 BMW 530i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies every manufacturer of motor vehicles globally. For the 2002 BMW 530i, the WMI “WBA” specifically locates the vehicle’s origin, denoting it as a product of BMW AG located in Munich, Germany. This identifier not only confirms the vehicle as a passenger car but also provides a means to trace its manufacturing history across various model years including 1994-1995, 2001-2007, and 2017-2024. The WMI forms the first segment of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a unique code that contains essential information about the vehicle, including its specific model, engine type, and manufacturing year. This system offers a standardized method to identify and track vehicles, ensuring clarity in automotive commerce and regulation.
List of WMI Codes for a 2002 BMW 530i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1994-1995, 2001-2007, 2017-2024
- Example VIN: WBADT53402CE92518
- Manufacturer Name: BMW AG
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Munich
- State or Province:
- Country: Germany
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2002 BMW 530i VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2002 BMW 530i:
| Known VDS for a 2002 BMW 530i | |
|---|---|
| DT534 | DT634 |
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2002 BMW 530i VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the 2002 BMW 530i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 2 | 2002 |
11th Character in the 2002 BMW 530i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2002 BMW 530i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Dingolfing | Germany | WBADT53402CE92518 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 BMW 530i
The final 6 characters in a 2002 BMW 530i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 530i’s VIN below:
How to find a 2002 BMW 530i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2002 BMW 530i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 530i. Typically, the VIN can be seen through the windshield on a dedicated plate near the bottom corner.
- Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your BMW 530i. The VIN might be located on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Look at the engine bay of your BMW 530i. The VIN may be stamped onto the chassis or found on a plate fixed to the engine bay area.
- Check the trunk of your BMW 530i for the spare tire well. The VIN might sometimes be found in this area, on a sticker or a plate.
- Review your vehicle’s documents or service records. The VIN of your BMW 530i will be listed on the vehicle title, registration card, and insurance documents.
What info can a 2002 BMW 530i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, suggesting that it could possibly be the year 2002, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN may point to the city of Dingolfing, Germany, as potentially being the production site, offering some hints about the vehicle’s origin and possibly its quality and design influences.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is equipped with a BMW-AG manufactured engine, possibly boasting a displacement of 3 liters (or 3000 CC/181.8 CI) and 6 cylinders, and it might possibly achieve up to 225 horsepower, showcasing its potential performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: The presence of 1st row airbags for both driver and passenger, along with a dual-stage advanced supplemental restraint system (SRS), suggests a possible focus on occupant safety.
- Fuel Type: It may operate on gasoline, possibly providing specific information on the vehicle’s energy requirements and potentially its efficiency and environmental impact.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN might classify the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon with four doors, allowing for a possible understanding of the vehicle’s design, size, and potential use cases.
- Vehicle Type and Series: The VIN could possibly identify the vehicle as a passenger car from the 5 series, offering possible clues into the level of luxury, technology, and performance features that might be expected from this model.
Don’t have your 2002 BMW 530i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 BMW 530i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 3000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 181.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 3 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 225 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Model | 530i |
| Model Year | 2002 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Dual-stage Advanced Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5 |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBADT534*2C |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBADT53402CE92518 |
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