Free BMW 528e VIN Decoder

How to decode a BMW 528e VIN

Characters 1-3 of a BMW 528e VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a distinctive code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This unique, three-letter or digit code specifically identifies the make of the vehicle and the country of manufacture. For the BMW 528e, the WMI is WBA, where W stands for Germany, B indicates BMW as the manufacturer, and A represents the vehicle type, which in this case is a passenger car. The WMI is the first part of the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that encodes crucial vehicle information, and you’ll find it at the very beginning of the VIN on your BMW 528e. This code is essential for vehicle registration, identification, and for obtaining accurate vehicle history reports.

List of WMI Codes for a BMW 528e

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1982, 1984-1987
• Example VIN: WBADK8303C7961691
• 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 528e 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 528e:

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 528e 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 528e VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the BMW 528e VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known BMW 528e Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW 528e

The final 6 characters in a BMW 528e’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a BMW 528e VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the BMW 528e’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Country: The VIN indicates that the BMW 528e was possibly manufactured in Germany, suggesting insight into its possible origin.
• Vehicle Type: The VIN specifies that the BMW 528e is a passenger car, giving a potential understanding of its intended use.
• Body Class: The VIN can reveal that the BMW 528e possibly belongs to the sedan/saloon body class, indicating its potential body style.
• Transmission Style: The VIN indicates that the BMW 528e possibly has an automatic transmission, providing insights into its potential drivetrain configuration.
• Fuel Type: The VIN can possibly indicate the primary fuel type used by the BMW 528e, such as gasoline or diesel, offering potential information about its fuel efficiency.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN encodes information about the number of cylinders, engine displacement, and engine manufacturer, possibly providing details about the BMW 528e’s engine.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW 528e