Free 2010 BMW 550i VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2010 BMW 550i VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2010 BMW 550i VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a specific vehicle, providing key details about the vehicle’s origin. The WMI for the 2010 BMW 550i, for instance, reveals that it was manufactured by BMW AG, a respected automotive company based in Munich, Germany. This code is a part of the vehicle’s longer Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and it specifically pinpoints BMW AG as the manufacturer, indicating that the vehicle falls within the passenger car category. For this model, the production was from the years 2006 to 2017, underlining the vehicle’s production timeline within BMW’s vast array of models. Understanding the WMI is essential for recognizing the lineage and manufacturing specifics of vehicles like the 2010 BMW 550i.

List of WMI Codes for a 2010 BMW 550i

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 2006-2017
• Example VIN: WBANW5C50ACT56292
• 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 2010 BMW 550i 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 2010 BMW 550i:

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 2010 BMW 550i 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 2010 BMW 550i VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2010 BMW 550i VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2010 BMW 550i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2010 BMW 550i

The final 6 characters in a 2010 BMW 550i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 2010 BMW 550i VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, giving insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: It can specify the type of vehicle, like a Passenger Car, alongside its body class, such as Sedan/Saloon, offering insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including its size, which could be 4.4 liters, its power output starting from 400 horsepower, and the number of cylinders, which is 8, are typically revealed, pointing towards the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Fuel Type - Primary: The primary fuel type the vehicle uses, for example, Gasoline, indicating the energy source the engine is designed to operate on.
• Safety Features: Information about safety equipment, like Front Air Bag Locations being in the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger), reveals the vehicle’s efforts towards occupant protection.
• Plant Information: The manufacturing location, including the city of Dingolfing and the country Germany, shows where the vehicle was assembled, which can be of interest to those who value geographical manufacturing origins.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Identifies the weight category, here being Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), which helps determine the vehicle’s load-carrying capacity and potential registration requirements.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2010 BMW 550i