How to decode a 2015 BMW i8 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2015 BMW i8 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. They are the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides critical details about where and by whom a vehicle was made. For instance, the WMI for a 2015 BMW i8 indicates that it was manufactured by BMW AG in Munich, Germany. This identifier not only speaks to the car’s origins but also to its belonging to the passenger car category. Knowing a vehicle’s WMI can offer insights into its design standards, technological specifications, and global lineage.

List of WMI Codes for a 2015 BMW i8

WMI: WBY

Model Years Covered: 2014-2017, 2019-2020
Example VIN: WBY2Z2C50FV391159
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 i8 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 i8:

Known VDS for a 2015 BMW i8
2Z2C5

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 i8 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 i8 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
F	2015

11th Character in the 2015 BMW i8 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2015 BMW i8 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
V	Leipzig		Germany		WBY2Z2C50FV391159

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2015 BMW i8

The final 6 characters in a 2015 BMW i8’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your BMW i8’s VIN below:

How to find a 2015 BMW i8’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2015 BMW i8 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2015 BMW i8. The VIN should be visible from the outside of the vehicle, where the dashboard meets the windshield.
Look at the driver’s side door jamb on your BMW i8. The VIN may be located on a sticker or plate where the door latches when it is closed.
Inspect the front of the car’s engine block. In some BMW i8 models, the VIN can be found stamped on the engine itself.
Review your vehicle’s registration documents or insurance papers. The VIN of your BMW i8 should be printed there.
If your BMW i8 has a rear luggage compartment where the engine would traditionally be, check for a VIN sticker inside the compartment.
Consult the user’s manual or service booklet that came with your BMW i8; it often contains the VIN for reference.

What info can a 2015 BMW i8 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that the vehicle is from 2015, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: It can specify the body class and size, detailing this car as a Coupe with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Specifications: Engine details such as displacement (1.5L or 91.5 CI), power (362 hp), and the number of cylinders (3) are encoded within the VIN, providing potential insights into the vehicle’s performance and efficiency.
Safety Features: Safety features like front, knee, and side air bag locations for the 1st row (Driver and Passenger), along with the presence of a pretensioner and a manual seat belt type, are typically included, offering potential insights into the vehicle’s safety capabilities.
Fuel Type: The VIN can identify the primary fuel type, which for this vehicle is Gasoline, providing insights into the vehicle’s fuel requirements and potential environmental impact.
Manufacturing Information: Insight into the vehicle’s manufacturing location, including plant city (Leipzig) and plant country (Germany), can be obtained, providing information about the vehicle’s origin and potential quality standards.
Vehicle Specifications: Basic model information, such as the make (i8), series (8-Series), and specific descriptors are generally encoded within the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s identity and potential market value.

Don’t have your 2015 BMW i8’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2015 BMW i8

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Coupe
Displacement (CC)	1500.0
Displacement (CI)	91.5
Displacement (L)	1.5
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	362
Engine Number of Cylinders	3
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	i8
Model Year	2015
Plant City	Leipzig
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	8-Series
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	WBY2Z2C5*FV
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WBY2Z2C50FV391159