How to decode a 2012 BMW 535i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2012 BMW 535i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial three-character portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, and sometimes the specific attributes related to its production location and type. In the case of the 2012 BMW 535i, this manufacturer is BMW AG, recognized globally for its precision-engineered passenger cars. The WMI for this vehicle, “WBA”, denotes that it is produced by BMW in Munich, Germany, a detail that also hints at the renowned craftsmanship associated with this geographic region’s automotive production. This alphanumeric code is essential for identifying the manufacturing origin and understanding critical aspects of the vehicle’s heritage and quality. For the 2012 BMW 535i, the WMI forms the foundation of its identity, linking it to BMW’s esteemed legacy.
List of WMI Codes for a 2012 BMW 535i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1985, 1989-1991, 2008-2017
- Example VIN: WBAFR7C50CC808008
- 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 2012 BMW 535i 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 2012 BMW 535i:
| Known VDS for a 2012 BMW 535i | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| FR7C5 | FU7C5 | SN2C5 | SP2C5 |
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 2012 BMW 535i 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 2012 BMW 535i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| C | 2012 |
11th Character in the 2012 BMW 535i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2012 BMW 535i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAFR7C50CC808008 | ||
| D | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAFU7C50CD459621 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 BMW 535i
The final 6 characters in a 2012 BMW 535i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 2012 BMW 535i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2012 BMW 535i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2012 BMW 535i. You can usually see the VIN through the windshield.
- Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side of your BMW 535i; the VIN might be located on a label or sticker near the area where the door latches.
- Check the front of the engine block, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself in your BMW 535i.
- Take a peek inside the trunk area. Your BMW 535i’s VIN might be found under the trunk carpet or on the trunk lid.
- Look at the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or the title, as they should all contain the VIN for your BMW 535i.
What info can a 2012 BMW 535i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Specifications: The VIN can identify the vehicle as a Passenger Car, specifically a 2012 535i xDrive GT from the 5-Series, highlighting its sedan/saloon body class.
- Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, such as it being a 3.0 L displacement engine with 300 horsepower and six cylinders, show the vehicle’s power capacity.
- Safety Features: The VIN can reveal comprehensive safety features including front airbags for both driver and passenger, side airbags, knee airbags, and seat belt pretensioners for enhanced security.
- Fuel Type: It indicates the primary fuel type for the vehicle, which in this case is gasoline, offering insights into fuel consumption patterns and possible efficiency.
- Manufacturing Details: Information about the vehicle’s assembly, such as its production in Dingolfing, Germany, can also be derived, providing a glimpse into its manufacturing origin.
- Additional Features: Features like a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and the vehicle’s gross weight rating class being classified under Class 1 (6,000 lb or less) may also be extracted, outlining further vehicle specifics and capabilities.
Don’t have your 2012 BMW 535i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 BMW 535i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2979.1682352 |
| Displacement (CI) | 181.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 300 |
| 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 | 535i |
| Model Year | 2012 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Head Inflatable Restraint for Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Outboard Driver-side and Rear Outboard Passenger-side. Knee Inflatable Restraint for Driver and Front Passenger. Pretensioners for Driver and Front Passenger. |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5-Series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Trim | xDrive |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAFU7C5*CD |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAFU7C50CD459621 |
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