How to decode a 2004 BMW 525i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2004 BMW 525i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters within a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which designates the manufacturer of the vehicle and some of its specific attributes. For the 2004 BMW 525i, this code helps identify it as a model produced by BMW AG, a renowned automaker based in Munich, Germany. The WMI specifically indicates that the vehicle is a passenger car, aligning with BMW’s specialization in luxury and performance vehicles. By examining the WMI, one can also learn about the geographic origin of the vehicle, confirming its production in Germany, a country known for its automotive engineering excellence. This identifier is crucial for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes, ensuring each car’s history and specifications are easily accessible.
List of WMI Codes for a 2004 BMW 525i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1988-1991, 1993-1995, 2001-2007
- Example VIN: WBANA53504B167778
- 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 2004 BMW 525i 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 2004 BMW 525i:
| Known VDS for a 2004 BMW 525i |
|---|
| NA535 |
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 2004 BMW 525i 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 2004 BMW 525i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 4 | 2004 |
11th Character in the 2004 BMW 525i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2004 BMW 525i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Dingolfing | Germany | WBANA53504B167778 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2004 BMW 525i
The final 6 characters in a 2004 BMW 525i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 2004 BMW 525i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2004 BMW 525i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard near the windshield on the driver’s side for the VIN of your BMW 525i, which is commonly located on a small plate visible from outside the vehicle.
- Examine the door jamb on the driver’s side where the door latches when closed, as there should be a sticker or a plate with the VIN for your BMW 525i.
- Check the engine bay where the VIN might also be stamped directly on the engine or on a fixed plate in the vicinity, which is a common location in many BMW 525i models.
- Look at your vehicle’s registration documents or insurance papers, where the VIN of your BMW 525i will be listed.
- Inspect the trunk area; sometimes, there may be a sticker or plate with the VIN under the trunk lid or in the spare tire well for the BMW 525i.
- Review the owner’s manual or service book for your BMW 525i, as it may have a section where the VIN is recorded typically by the dealership at the time of purchase.
What info can a 2004 BMW 525i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly being the year 2004, providing insights into the age and potential technology level of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications: It may specify the basic BMW 525i model information, including engine details such as a 2.5L engine with 184 hp from a 6-cylinder engine, demonstrating the potential performance capabilities of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN details the body class as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering a clear understanding of the vehicle’s design and potential passenger capacity.
- Safety Features: Potential indications of safety features such as front airbags located in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, as well as details about the seat belt type being manual, may underscore the vehicle’s safety measures.
- Fuel Type: It can identify the primary fuel type as gasoline, which is crucial for understanding the potential environmental impact and fuel consumption of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN may list the vehicle’s plant city as Dingolfing and country as Germany, potentially highlighting its manufacturing heritage and influencing its build quality.
- Engine Manufacturer: Information about BMW-AG as the engine manufacturer may emphasize the make’s reputation and could hint at the potential level of engineering and performance standards.
Don’t have your 2004 BMW 525i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2004 BMW 525i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2494.1111408 |
| Displacement (CI) | 152.2 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.5 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 184 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| 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 | 525i |
| Model Year | 2004 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Dual-stage Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Certified to the Advanced Airbag Requirements of FMVSS 208 |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5-Series |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBANA535*4B |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBANA53504B167778 |
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