Free BMW 535i/535is VIN Decoder

How to decode a BMW 535i/535is VIN

Characters 1-3 of a BMW 535i/535is VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial sequence of three letters or numbers found at the beginning of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle and often provides an indication of the country and sometimes the specific factory where the car was built. For the iconic BMW 535i/535is line, ‘WBA’ represents BMW AG, one of Germany’s most renowned automakers. This WMI signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by BMW, which headquarters in Munich, Germany, and signals a lineage of luxury, precision engineering, and performance. These first three characters of the VIN lay the groundwork for further vehicle details that follow in the VIN’s subsequent characters.

List of WMI Codes for a BMW 535i/535is

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1986-1988
• Example VIN: WBADC7404G0654664
• 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 535i/535is 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 535i/535is:

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 535i/535is 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 535i/535is VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the BMW 535i/535is VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known BMW 535i/535is Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW 535i/535is

The final 6 characters in a BMW 535i/535is’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a BMW 535i/535is VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Plant Location: The VIN can provide information about where the BMW 535i/535is was manufactured, with possibilities including Munich or Dingolfing in Germany, indicating possible manufacturing locations.
• Vehicle Type: The VIN can indicate that the BMW 535i/535is is classified as a passenger car, suggesting the primary use of the vehicle.
• Series: The VIN can reveal that the BMW 535i/535is belongs to the 5-Series series, providing details about the vehicle’s specific model range.
• Body Style: The VIN can provide information about the body style of the BMW 535i/535is, often classified as a sedan/saloon, indicating the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Transmission Style: The VIN can indicate whether the BMW 535i/535is has a manual/standard transmission, offering insights into the vehicle’s driving experience.
• Fuel Type: The VIN can reveal the primary fuel type of the BMW 535i/535is, typically gasoline, providing information about the vehicle’s fuel requirements.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW 535i/535is