Free BMW VIN Decoder

How to decode a BMW VIN

Characters 1-3 of a BMW VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a vital aspect of vehicle identification numbers (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For BMW, multiple WMI codes highlight the diverse range of vehicles produced by the company and its branches. For instance, codes like ‘WBA’ and ‘WBS’ represent BMW AG and BMW M GmbH passenger cars manufactured in Munich, Germany, spanning years from 1981 to 2025. In contrast, ‘4US’ and ‘5UX’ indicate vehicles made by BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America in Greer, South Carolina, U.S.A., covering both passenger cars and multipurpose vehicles (MPV). This exemplifies the global footprint of BMW manufacturing and the specific categorization utilized to discern between various types of vehicles and manufacturing locations within BMW’s extensive portfolio.

List of WMI Codes for a BMW

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a BMW VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the most popular vehicle descriptor codes for a BMW:

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 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 VIN — Year Code

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

Known BMW Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW

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

What info can a BMW VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can uncover the vehicle’s model year, which might be listed as the year 2021, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Size: Through the VIN, one can learn the body class and size, possibly indicating if a vehicle is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with specifics such as the number of doors being 4, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifications: It could reveal detailed engine specifics like the engine possibly having 8 cylinders, a displacement of approximately 4.395 liters (268.2 cubic inches), and horsepower ranging between 600 to 617, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance and power capabilities.
• Safety Features: A VIN might possibly indicate a rich array of safety features, from standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) to advanced systems like Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), with airbags located in the 1st and 2nd rows, potentially enhancing the understanding of the vehicle’s safety capabilities.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: It could specify the primary fuel type the vehicle possibly uses, for example, Gasoline, which can be crucial for understanding the fuel efficiency and environmental impact, providing insights into the vehicle’s environmental footprint.
• Drive Type and Transmission: Information on whether the vehicle possibly has All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and the type of transmission, such as an 8-speed automatic, could be decoded from the VIN, potentially aiding in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and performance.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN may provide insights into the manufacturing location, which could possibly be in the United States, in a plant located in Greer, South Carolina, adding an additional layer of detail such as the vehicle’s compliance with specific standards of the manufacturing country.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW