How to decode a 2021 BMW 228i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2021 BMW 228i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an essential component of a vehicle’s identification, making up the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This unique code specifies the manufacturer of the vehicle, the country of manufacture, and the vehicle type. For instance, in the case of the 2021 BMW 228i, the WMI code “WBA” indicates that it was manufactured by BMW AG in Germany. It also classifies the vehicle as a passenger car, providing quick, identifiable information about its origin and type. This information is critical for vehicle tracking, registration, and identification purposes globally.
List of WMI Codes for a 2021 BMW 228i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2014-2016, 2021-2024
- Example VIN: WBA53AK00M7H00078
- 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 2021 BMW 228i 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 2021 BMW 228i:
| Known VDS for a 2021 BMW 228i | |
|---|---|
| 53AK0 | 73AK0 |
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 2021 BMW 228i 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 2021 BMW 228i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| M | 2021 |
11th Character in the 2021 BMW 228i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2021 BMW 228i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Leipzig | Germany | WBA53AK00M7H00078 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2021 BMW 228i
The final 6 characters in a 2021 BMW 228i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 228i’s VIN below:
How to find a 2021 BMW 228i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2021 BMW 228i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 228i. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small plaque or metal plate.
- Look inside the driver-side door jamb for a sticker or plate on your 2021 BMW 228i. It’s where the door latches when it is closed.
- Check the front of the engine block. On many BMW models, the VIN is stamped onto the engine itself.
- Examine the rear wheel well. Sometimes the VIN can be found above the tire on the wheel arch inside the well.
- Inspect the underside of the hood or the trunk lid. The VIN might also be located on one of these areas in the 2021 BMW 228i.
- Review your vehicle’s insurance or title documents, which will have the VIN listed for your 2021 BMW 228i.
What info can a 2021 BMW 228i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating its production year to be in 2021, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN specifies the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon, offering insights into its body type and size, possibly indicating its design and dimensions.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN encodes engine specifics, including a displacement of approximately 2.0 liters (1997.5831016 CC), producing 228 horsepower with 4 cylinders, shedding light on its performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: The VIN data suggests that the vehicle may come standard with advanced safety features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Curtain Air Bags in 1st and 2nd Rows, and Lane Departure Warning (LDW), indicating a focus on passenger safety.
- Fuel Type: The VIN reveals the primary fuel type for this vehicle as Gasoline, providing important information about its engine and potential environmental impact.
- Drive Type and Transmission: The VIN can specify the vehicle’s drive type as Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) and an 8-speed Automatic transmission, which could detail the vehicle’s drivetrain and handling characteristics.
- Manufacturing Details: Information from the VIN indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in Leipzig, Germany, offering clues about its production origin and potential quality standards.
Don’t have your 2021 BMW 228i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2021 BMW 228i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Optional |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Base Price ($) | 37700.00 |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 1997.5831016 |
| Displacement (CI) | 121.9 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.9975831016 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 228 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| 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) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Standard |
| Model | 228i |
| Model Year | 2021 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Seat Belt: All Positions; Front/Rear: Pretensioner & Side Airbag / Head Inflatable Restraint: Rear Outboard Driver-side & Rear Outboard Passenger-side |
| Parking Assist | Optional |
| Plant City | Leipzig |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Standard |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | 2-Series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 8 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | 228i xDrive GC |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBA73AK0*M7 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 105.10 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 17 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 17 |
| Sample_VIN | WBA73AK00M7G30106 |
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