How to decode a BMW 325xi VIN
Characters 1-3 of a BMW 325xi VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code at the beginning of every vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) that signifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the BMW 325xi, the WMI is WBA, which indicates that the vehicle was produced by BMW AG. The code also reveals that the car was manufactured in Germany, BMW’s home country, where the company is known for its high standards of engineering and luxury vehicle production. Every BMW 325xi VIN starts with this WMI, ensuring that any lookup of the VIN can instantly identify the car as a BMW-made model. This aids significantly in tracing the car’s origin and authenticity.
List of WMI Codes for a BMW 325xi
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2002-2006
- Example VIN: WBAEU33402PF64672
- 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 BMW 325xi 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 BMW 325xi:
| Known VDS for a BMW 325xi | ||
|---|---|---|
| EU334 | EP334 | VD135 |
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 325xi 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 325xi VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 6 | 2006 BMW 325xi |
| 5 | 2005 BMW 325xi |
| 4 | 2004 BMW 325xi |
| 3 | 2003 BMW 325xi |
| 2 | 2002 BMW 325xi |
11th Character in the BMW 325xi VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known BMW 325xi Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K | Munich | Germany | WBAVD13506KT78806 | ||
| P | Regensburg | Germany | WBAEU33402PF64672 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW 325xi
The final 6 characters in a BMW 325xi’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a BMW 325xi’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your BMW 325xi is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side. The VIN should be visible from outside the vehicle.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb for a sticker or label that lists the VIN.
- Check the vehicle registration documents, which should list the VIN.
- Examine your vehicle’s insurance card or insurance policy documents; the VIN is usually printed there.
- Inspect the engine bay for a plate or sticker that might contain the VIN.
- Look for the VIN on the vehicle title or the bill of sale provided when the vehicle was purchased.
- If the vehicle has a trunk, lift it and look for a label or a sticker in the trunk area, which could be on the lid or the body of the compartment.
What info can a BMW 325xi VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating it was manufactured in the year 2005, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN may indicate the manufacturing location of the BMW 325xi, offering insights into where the vehicle was possibly produced.
- Model: The VIN specifies the model of the vehicle as a BMW 325xi, allowing identification of the specific variant, potentially aiding in finding model-specific parts and information.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN can reveal the vehicle type, possibly indicating that the BMW 325xi is classified as a passenger car, although further verification may be needed.
- Body Class: The VIN provides potential information about the body class of the BMW 325xi, possibly helping to determine its body style, such as sedan or saloon, offering some insights into the vehicle’s design.
- Engine Details: The VIN may encode details about the engine of the BMW 325xi, including the number of cylinders and displacement, possibly providing details about the vehicle’s performance.
- Safety Features: Certain safety features of the BMW 325xi can be inferred from the VIN, giving a chance of indicating the standard safety equipment included in the vehicle.
Don’t have your BMW 325xi’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW 325xi
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 3000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 182.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 3 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 215 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| 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) |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To | Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less) |
| Model | 325xi |
| Model Year | 2006 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Dual-stage suppl. restraint system (SRS) certified to the advanced airbag requiremnets of FMVSS 208, S14. |
| Plant City | Munich |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 3-Series |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAVD135*6K |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 108.7 |
| Sample_VIN | WBAVD13506KT78806 |
Decode a BMW VIN
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