How to decode a BMW 525iT VIN
Characters 1-3 of a BMW 525iT VIN
The WMI, or World Manufacturer Identifier, is a crucial component of a vehicle’s VIN, comprising the first three characters. This segment of the VIN uniquely identifies the vehicle manufacturer and sometimes provides information about the vehicle’s type and manufacturing division. For BMW 525iT models, the WMI is typically WBA, indicating that the car was produced by BMW AG, a prestigious automobile manufacturer headquartered in Munich, Germany. The WBA prefix is associated with BMW’s passenger cars, and in the context of the BMW 525iT, it nods to the vehicle’s origin and class, symbolizing a blend of luxury and practicality in a wagon form.
List of WMI Codes for a BMW 525iT
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1992, 1995, 2003
- Example VIN: WBAHJ6310NGD20778
- 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 525iT 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 525iT:
| Known VDS for a BMW 525iT | ||
|---|---|---|
| HJ631 | HJ632 | DS334 |
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 525iT 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 525iT VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 3 | 2003 BMW 525iT |
| S | 1995 BMW 525iT |
| N | 1992 BMW 525iT |
11th Character in the BMW 525iT VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known BMW 525iT Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAHJ6310NGD20778 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW 525iT
The final 6 characters in a BMW 525iT’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a BMW 525iT’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your BMW 525iT is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the lower-left corner of the dashboard in front of the steering wheel; the BMW 525iT VIN can typically be seen through the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area; a sticker or plate here often displays the VIN on the BMW 525iT.
- Check the front frame of the car, around the engine bay, where the BMW 525iT might have its VIN stamped directly into the metal.
- Explore the trunk area of your BMW 525iT; occasionally, the VIN might be found on the floor or the underside of the trunk lid.
- Look through your BMW 525iT’s vehicle registration, title, or insurance paperwork, where the VIN is always recorded.
- Inspect the rear wheel well; the BMW 525iT’s VIN might occasionally be found stamped above the tire.
- Review the owner’s manual or service book; the BMW 525iT VIN is sometimes noted in these documents.
What info can a BMW 525iT VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2003, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 2003 BMW 525iT, this may indicate a specific body class such as wagon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN. In the case of the 2003 BMW 525iT, it is a 4x2, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Don’t have your BMW 525iT’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW 525iT
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Wagon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2495.7498472 |
| Displacement (CI) | 152.3 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.4957498472 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 188 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Model | 4-Value |
| 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 | 1995 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5-Series |
| Series2 | Touring Wagon |
| Trim | 525iT (Touring) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAHJ632*SG |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAHJ6320SGD25502 |
Decode a BMW VIN
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