How to decode a 2018 MINI Countryman VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2018 MINI Countryman VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial sequence of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), comprising the first three characters, which uniquely identifies the maker of the vehicle. For the 2018 Mini Countryman, produced by BMW AG in Munich, Germany, this identifier is “WMZ”. This particular series points out that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), reflecting both its design and utility. The WMI not only pinpoints the manufacturing company but also reveals the vehicle’s production location and its generic type. This crucial piece of information is a global standard, ensuring that the 2018 Mini Countryman’s origin and category are recognized universally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2018 MINI Countryman

WMI: WMZ

Model Years Covered: 2017-2024
Example VIN: WMZYU7C40J3B86169
Manufacturer Name: BMW AG
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Munich
State or Province:
Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2018 MINI Countryman 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 2018 MINI Countryman:

Known VDS for a 2018 MINI Countryman
YU7C4	YT3C3	YT5C3	YS7C3	YV5C3	YV9C3

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 2018 MINI Countryman 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 2018 MINI Countryman VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
J	2018

11th Character in the 2018 MINI Countryman VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2018 MINI Countryman Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
3	Bom		Netherlands		WMZYU7C40J3B86169

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2018 MINI Countryman

The final 6 characters in a 2018 MINI Countryman’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your MINI Countryman’s VIN below:

How to find a 2018 MINI Countryman’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2018 MINI Countryman is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mini Countryman. The VIN is often visible through the windshield on a small plate attached to the dashboard.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your 2018 Mini Countryman. You might find the VIN on a label or sticker where the door latches when it is closed.
Examine the engine bay. The VIN may also be located on the front of the engine block. This would require opening the hood of your Mini Countryman and locating the VIN on a metal plate attached to the engine.
Look at the vehicle’s firewall, which is the panel located between the engine and the passenger compartment. The VIN might be stamped onto a plate or directly onto the firewall.
Check your Mini Countryman’s vehicle registration documents, insurance card, or title (also known as a pink slip); the VIN will be printed on these documents.
For further assistance, refer to the Mini Countryman owner’s manual which might suggest additional locations where the VIN can be found or instructions on how to locate it.

What info can a 2018 MINI Countryman VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, indicating a vehicle from 2018, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: A VIN can divulge the body class, such as Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), providing insight into the vehicle’s design and intended use.
Engine Specifications: Engine details like the displacement in liters (1.5L), number of cylinders (3), and horsepower (starting from 134 hp) can be typically identified, offering clues about the vehicle’s performance potential.
Safety Features: Essential safety features, including anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and airbag locations (e.g., 1st and 2nd rows for curtain airbags), are standard or optional amenities that can be clarified.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, such as gasoline, is specified, aiding in understanding the vehicle’s environmental and economic impact.
Drive Type and Transmission: Information on whether the vehicle is front-wheel drive (FWD) and the number of transmission speeds (6) can generally be found, illustrating the driving mechanics.
Manufacturing Location: Details like the plant country (Netherlands) and city (Bom) offer a glimpse into the vehicle’s production origin, which can be significant to some users for historical or quality reasons.

Don’t have your 2018 MINI Countryman’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2018 MINI Countryman

Vehicle Spec	Value
Active Safety System Note	Standard: Active Cruise Control (has the ability to reduce speed and keep a desire distance, but does not have the stop & go capabilities)
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)	Optional
Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB)	Optional
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Axles	2
Backup Camera	Standard
Base Price ($)	26900.00
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Crash Imminent Braking (CIB)	Optional
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Displacement (CC)	1499.4163560
Displacement (CI)	91.5
Displacement (L)	1.5
Doors	4
Drive Type	FWD/Front-Wheel Drive
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From	134
Engine Number of Cylinders	3
Forward Collision Warning (FCW)	Optional
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1C: 4,001 - 5,000 lb (1,814 - 2,268 kg)
Keyless Ignition	Standard
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	Countryman
Model Year	2018
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	5
Number of Wheels	4
Other Restraint System Info	Driver and passenger dual-stage suppl. restraint system (SRS) certified to the advanced airbag req’ments of FMVSS 208, S14; Pretensioners for driver and front passenger
Parking Assist	Optional
Plant City	Bom
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Netherlands
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Series	Cooper
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Traction Control	Standard
Transmission Speeds	6
Trim	SAV
Vehicle Descriptor	WMZYS7C3*J3
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Wheel Base (inches) From	105.10
Wheel Size Front (inches)	17
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	17
Sample_VIN	WMZYS7C30J3B63178