How to decode a 2012 BMW 128i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2012 BMW 128i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of vehicles globally. It forms the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), detailing the car’s origin, manufacturer, and vehicle type. For the 2012 BMW 128i, the WMI code “WBA” specifies that BMW AG in Munich, Germany, produced the vehicle. This designation confirms it as a passenger car originating from one of the world’s most renowned automotive capitals. The integration of the WMI into the VIN allows for the easy tracking and identification of vehicles for regulatory, registration, and manufacturing purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a 2012 BMW 128i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2008-2013
- Example VIN: WBAUP9C50CVL91048
- 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 2012 BMW 128i 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 2012 BMW 128i:
| Known VDS for a 2012 BMW 128i | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| UP9C5 | UN1C5 | UP7C5 | UL7C5 |
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 2012 BMW 128i 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 2012 BMW 128i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| C | 2012 |
11th Character in the 2012 BMW 128i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2012 BMW 128i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Leipzig | Germany | WBAUP9C50CVL91048 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 BMW 128i
The final 6 characters in a 2012 BMW 128i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 128i’s VIN below:
How to find a 2012 BMW 128i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2012 BMW 128i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 128i; the VIN should be visible through the windshield.
- Check the driver’s side door jamb for a sticker or plate that may have the BMW 128i’s VIN when the door is open.
- Examine the front of the engine block, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the metal there in your BMW 128i.
- Inspect the rear wheel well on the driver’s side; the VIN may be found above the tire.
- Review your BMW 128i’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or title, where the VIN will be listed.
- Look underneath the spare tire in the trunk area, as some BMW models have the VIN in that location.
What info can a 2012 BMW 128i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 2012, providing insights into the vehicle’s age and potential market value.
- Body Class and Doors: Vehicle details encoded in the VIN may indicate the body class as a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, offering hints about the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN can provide detailed engine information, such as a 3 L engine with 6 cylinders producing 230 horsepower, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities and potential fuel economy.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, in this case, Gasoline, is critical for understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact and fuel consumption patterns.
- Safety Features: Safety equipment details, including the presence of front and side airbags for both driver and passenger, pretensioners, and a direct tire pressure monitoring system, underscore the vehicle’s commitment to occupant protection.
- Manufacturing Details: The plant city, Leipzig, and the country, Germany, provide information about the vehicle’s origin, potentially influencing perceptions of quality and design.
- Model and Series Identification: The model, 128i, and series, 1-Series, along with specific trim SULEV, help in identifying the vehicle’s market position, features, and specifications within a broader lineup.
Don’t have your 2012 BMW 128i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 BMW 128i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 2997.1940056 |
| Displacement (CI) | 182.9 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 230 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| 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) |
| Model | 128i |
| Model Year | 2012 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Head Inflatable Restraint for Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Outboard Driver-side and Rear Outboard Passenger-side. Pretensioners for Driver and Front Passenger. |
| Plant City | Leipzig |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 1-Series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Trim | SULEV |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAUP9C5*CV |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAUP9C50CVL91048 |
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