Free 1997 BMW 318i VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1997 BMW 318i VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1997 BMW 318i VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, revealing crucial details about where and by whom a vehicle was produced. For instance, the WMI for the 1997 BMW 318i indicates that BMW AG is the manufacturer, explicitly pinpointing Munich, Germany, as the city of production. This specific WMI covers several model years including 1997, highlighting BMW’s ongoing vehicle production during that period. Through such identifiers, one can trace the origin of a passenger car, ensuring authenticity and aiding in the vehicle’s history and data verification. The WMI serves as an essential tool in the automotive industry, ensuring transparency and uniformity in vehicle identification worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 1997 BMW 318i

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1984-1985, 1991-1992, 1995, 1997-1998
• Example VIN: WBACC9324VEE58091
• 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 1997 BMW 318i 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 1997 BMW 318i:

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 1997 BMW 318i 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 1997 BMW 318i VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1997 BMW 318i VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1997 BMW 318i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1997 BMW 318i

The final 6 characters in a 1997 BMW 318i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your BMW 318i’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1997 BMW 318i VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially being the year 1997, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Details: Through decoding, the VIN can possibly reveal where the vehicle was manufactured, pinpointing the city of Regensburg, in the state of Bavaria, Germany, offering potential insights about the production quality and standards.
• Vehicle Specifications: Critical information like the make and model, in this case, a BMW 318i, along with specific details such as the body class being a Sedan/Saloon and the transmission style being automatic, are typically encoded within the VIN.
• Safety Features: It may provide insights into the vehicle’s safety mechanisms, for instance, possibly indicating the presence of front airbags in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger.
• Seat Belt Type: The VIN might detail the type of seat belts installed, such as manual, which could impact the user’s safety and vehicle insurance costs.
• Doors: Information like the number of doors, which might be 4 for this vehicle, can help in understanding the body style and size, potentially affecting the vehicle’s utility and appeal to certain buyers.
• Vehicle Type: The VIN can clarify the type of vehicle, specifying it as a Passenger Car, which can be useful in identifying the vehicle’s intended use and regulatory classification.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1997 BMW 318i