How to decode a 2008 BMW 528i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2008 BMW 528i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial three-character sequence in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which signifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, its nationality, and the type of vehicle it is. For the 2008 BMW 528i, the WMI is ‘WBA’, indicating that BMW AG, a company based in Munich, Germany, manufactured this passenger car. These codes are crucial for identifying vehicles accurately and are standardized globally. The WMI not only reveals the vehicle’s origin but also assists in tracking its history and specifications. This system is essential for legal, registration, and safety processes worldwide, ensuring every vehicle can be uniquely identified.
List of WMI Codes for a 2008 BMW 528i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1997-2000, 2008-2016
- Example VIN: WBANU53508BY65059
- 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 2008 BMW 528i 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 2008 BMW 528i:
| Known VDS for a 2008 BMW 528i |
|---|
| NU535 |
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 2008 BMW 528i 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 2008 BMW 528i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 8 | 2008 |
11th Character in the 2008 BMW 528i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2008 BMW 528i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | Dingolfing | Germany | WBANU53508BY65059 | ||
| C | Dingolfing | Germany | WBANU53508C110228 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 BMW 528i
The final 6 characters in a 2008 BMW 528i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 2008 BMW 528i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2008 BMW 528i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 528i. Typically, the VIN can be found on a plaque visible through the windshield.
- Look at the driver-side door jamb on your BMW 528i. The VIN is usually on a sticker where the door latches when closed.
- Peek under the hood; your BMW 528i may have the VIN engraved on the front engine block.
- Inspect the rear wheel well above the tire; sometimes the VIN can be found stamped on the body in this area in a BMW 528i.
- Check your vehicle’s insurance or title documents, which should list the VIN of your BMW 528i.
What info can a 2008 BMW 528i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year 2008 and providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Plant Location: The manufacturing location can be identified through the VIN, such as the plant city Dingolfing and the plant country Germany.
- Vehicle Specifications: The VIN encodes basic specifications for a BMW 528i, including the model and series (5-Series), engine details such as displacement (3.0L or 182.8 cubic inches) and engine power (230 hp from a 6-cylinder engine).
- Body Class and Size: The VIN reveals the body class as a Sedan/Saloon and indicates it has 4 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s size and type.
- Safety Features: Information about safety features, such as the presence of front airbags in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) type being direct, can be inferred from the VIN.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is specified as gasoline, suggesting its efficiency and environmental considerations.
- Additional Safety Details: Other specific safety details, like the inclusion of a dual-stage supplementary restraint system (SRS) that meets the advanced airbag requirements of FMVSS 208, S14, could offer insights into the vehicle’s compliance with safety regulations.
Don’t have your 2008 BMW 528i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 BMW 528i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2995.5552992 |
| Displacement (CI) | 182.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 230 |
| 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 | 528i |
| Model Year | 2008 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Dual-stage suppl. restraint system (SRS) certified to the advanced airbag requiremnets of FMVSS 208, S14. |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5-Series |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBANU535*8B |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBANU53508BY65059 |
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