How to decode a 2001 BMW 530i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2001 BMW 530i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a three-character code that forms the initial portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the 2001 BMW 530i, the WMI is “WBA”, signifying that the vehicle was manufactured by BMW AG, a prestigious automotive company based in Munich, Germany. This distinct identifier indicates that the vehicle is a passenger car produced by BMW. The WMI is crucial for obtaining specific information about the vehicle, including its manufacturing year, confirming its authenticity, and tracing its history. This identifier is recognized globally, facilitating standardized identification of vehicles no matter where they are manufactured or sold.
List of WMI Codes for a 2001 BMW 530i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1994-1995, 2001-2007, 2017-2024
- Example VIN: WBADT53411CE90632
- 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 2001 BMW 530i 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 2001 BMW 530i:
| Known VDS for a 2001 BMW 530i | |
|---|---|
| DT534 | DT634 |
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 2001 BMW 530i 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 2001 BMW 530i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| 1 | 2001 |
11th Character in the 2001 BMW 530i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2001 BMW 530i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Dingolfing | Germany | WBADT53411CE90632 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2001 BMW 530i
The final 6 characters in a 2001 BMW 530i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 2001 BMW 530i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2001 BMW 530i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 530i. The VIN is typically displayed here and can easily be seen through the windshield.
- Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your BMW 530i. You’ll often find the VIN on a sticker or plate where the door latches when it is closed.
- Inspect the engine bay. The VIN can often be found on the front engine block or on a plaque within the compartment of your 2001 BMW 530i.
- Check beneath the spare tire. Sometimes the VIN is located in the area where the spare tire is stored in the BMW 530i.
- Review your vehicle’s documentation. The VIN of your BMW 530i should be listed on the title, registration, or insurance card.
What info can a 2001 BMW 530i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2001, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Make and Model: It often includes crucial details about the vehicle make and model, for example, a BMW 530i.
- Engine Specifications: Engine details, including manufacturer (BMW-AG), displacement (2.98 L or 181.8 CI), number of cylinders (6), and horsepower (225 hp) are commonly encoded within the VIN.
- Body Type and Doors: The VIN can reveal the body type, such as Sedan/Saloon, and the number of doors, which in this case is 4.
- Fuel Type: Fuel type is an important detail that can be derived from a VIN, revealing if a vehicle uses Gasoline.
- Safety Features: Key safety features, including the locations of front airbags (1st Row for Driver and Passenger) and other restraint systems info like a Dual stage Advanced Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), might be indicated.
- Manufacturing Information: Details about the manufacturing location, including the plant city (Dingolfing) and country (Germany), are sometimes encoded in the VIN.
Don’t have your 2001 BMW 530i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2001 BMW 530i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 2980.00 |
| Displacement (CI) | 181.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.98 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 225 |
| 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 | 530i |
| Model Year | 2001 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Dual stage Advanced Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5-Series |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBADT534*1C |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBADT53411CE90632 |
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