How to decode a BMW ActiveHybrid 3 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a BMW ActiveHybrid 3 VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This code, comprising the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), reveals crucial information about the vehicle, including the manufacturer’s name, the vehicle type, and its country of origin. Specifically, for the BMW ActiveHybrid-3, the WMI indicates that the car was produced by BMW AG, a renowned manufacturer based in Munich, Germany. This particular model, covered within the 2014-2015 model years, is identified as a passenger car. The WMI serves as an essential tool for identifying and tracking vehicles globally, providing a standardized method for decoding a vehicle’s manufacturing details.
List of WMI Codes for a BMW ActiveHybrid 3
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2014-2015
- Example VIN: WBA3F9C50EF484549
- 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 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 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 BMW ActiveHybrid 3:
| Known VDS for a BMW ActiveHybrid 3 |
|---|
| 3F9C5 |
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 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 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 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| F | 2015 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 |
| E | 2014 BMW ActiveHybrid 3 |
11th Character in the BMW ActiveHybrid 3 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known BMW ActiveHybrid 3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Munich | Germany | WBA3F9C50EF484549 | ||
| K | Munich | Germany | WBA3F9C50EKP46500 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW ActiveHybrid 3
The final 6 characters in a BMW ActiveHybrid 3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a BMW ActiveHybrid 3’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your BMW ActiveHybrid 3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW ActiveHybrid 3. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield.
- Inspect the door pillar on the driver’s side when the door is open. The VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate in this area.
- Check under the hood where the engine bay is. Sometimes, the VIN is stamped onto parts of the frame or on a plate attached to the chassis.
- Examine your vehicle’s registration documents or insurance policy. The VIN of your BMW ActiveHybrid 3 will be listed on these documents, providing a quick reference without needing to physically inspect the car.
What info can a BMW ActiveHybrid 3 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2014, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN provides details that the vehicle is an ActiveHybrid 3 from the 3-Series, equipped with a 3.0-liter engine capacity and a displacement of 2979.168 cubic centimeters (CC), translating to 181.8 cubic inches (CI).
- Fuel Type: The VIN suggests that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, with the possibility of supporting electric power, indicating it may be a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), though the specific level of electrification is not specified.
- Safety Features: The VIN indicates that the vehicle includes various safety features such as front airbags for the first row (driver and passenger), side airbags for the first row, curtain airbags for the 1st and 2nd rows, and knee airbags for the first row (driver and passenger), along with pretensioners for the driver and front passenger, illustrating a high level of occupant protection.
- Engine and Performance: The VIN suggests that the vehicle is equipped with an engine capable of producing 335 horsepower, paired with a six-cylinder engine configuration, indicating strong performance metrics.
- Manufacturing Details: According to the VIN, this vehicle was manufactured in Munich, Germany, providing insights into the origin and quality standards it may adhere to.
- Body Class and Design: The VIN specifies the body class as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, detailing its exterior design and passenger accessibility.
Don’t have your BMW ActiveHybrid 3’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW ActiveHybrid 3
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Displacement (CC) | 2979.1682352 |
| Displacement (CI) | 181.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Electrification Level | HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) - Level Unknown |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 335 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Fuel Type - Secondary | Electric |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | ActiveHybrid 3 |
| Model Year | 2014 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Pretensioners for Driver and Front Passenger. |
| Plant City | Munich |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3-Series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBA3F9C5*EF |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBA3F9C50EF484549 |
Decode a BMW VIN
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