How to decode a 2015 BMW 550i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2015 BMW 550i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. Specifically, for the 2015 BMW 550i, the WMI indicates that it is produced by BMW AG, a prestigious automaker headquartered in Munich, Germany. This code is the first part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides detailed information about the vehicle’s origin, type, and manufacturing details. For this model, the WMI not only confirms it as a passenger car made by BMW but also ties its production to the renowned automotive landscape of Germany. Such identifiers are crucial for tracking, registration, and recall purposes, offering a clear trace of the vehicle’s history and lineage.
List of WMI Codes for a 2015 BMW 550i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2006-2017
- Example VIN: WBA5M6C54FD086061
- 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 2015 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 2015 BMW 550i:
| Known VDS for a 2015 BMW 550i | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 5M6C5 | KN9C5 | KP9C5 | 5M0C5 |
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 2015 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 2015 BMW 550i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| F | 2015 |
11th Character in the 2015 BMW 550i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2015 BMW 550i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Dingolfing | Germany | WBA5M6C54FD086061 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2015 BMW 550i
The final 6 characters in a 2015 BMW 550i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 550i’s VIN below:
How to find a 2015 BMW 550i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2015 BMW 550i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 550i. You can usually see the VIN through the windshield near the corner where it meets the dash.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb. Your BMW 550i should have a VIN sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Inspect the front frame. The BMW 550i may have the VIN stamped on the car frame under the hood, near the windshield washer fluid container.
- Check the trunk area. Sometimes, the VIN can be found in the trunk under the spare tire or on the trunk’s hinge.
- Review your vehicle’s paperwork. The VIN for your BMW 550i can also be found on the vehicle title, registration, and insurance documents.
What info can a 2015 BMW 550i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN may reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2015, offering insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Engine Specifications: The vehicle may feature an engine with 4400 CC displacement, which may translate to 4.4 liters and an impressive 448 horsepower driven by 8 cylinders, suggesting potent performance metrics.
- Fuel Type: The vehicle may utilize gasoline, highlighting the type of fuel required for operation.
- Safety Features: The vehicle could be equipped with a comprehensive airbag system, including front, knee, and side airbag locations for the first row (Driver and Passenger), suggesting its focus on occupant safety.
- Body Class and Doors: It might be categorized as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s body style and access points.
- Vehicle Type and Series: It may be classified as a Passenger Car within the 5-Series, possibly providing specifics on the model lineage and utility category.
- Manufacturing Details: The vehicle might have been assembled in Dingolfing, Germany, potentially pointing to the vehicle’s production origin, adding a layer of understanding regarding its manufacturing lineage.
Don’t have your 2015 BMW 550i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2015 BMW 550i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 4400.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 268.2 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.4 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 448 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| 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) |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | 550i |
| Model Year | 2015 |
| 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 | Sedan |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAKN9C5*FD |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAKN9C50FD682429 |
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