How to decode a BMW 535d VIN
Characters 1-3 of a BMW 535d VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the trio of digits at the beginning of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that unequivocally identifies the vehicle’s maker. For the BMW 535d, the WMI is WBA, which is a signature designation of BMW AG located in Munich, Germany. This unique identifier is crucial for distinguishing the vehicle’s country of origin and manufacturer, and it plays a fundamental role in international vehicle recognition. When it comes to the BMW 535d, the WMI not only anchors the vehicle to its prestigious BMW lineage but also ensures that essential details such as make, location of manufacture, and type are immediately evident from the first glance at the VIN.
List of WMI Codes for a BMW 535d
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2014-2016
- Example VIN: WBAXA5C50ED001596
- 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 535d 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 535d:
| Known VDS for a BMW 535d | |
|---|---|
| XA5C5 | FV3C5 |
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 535d 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 535d VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| G | 2016 BMW 535d |
| F | 2015 BMW 535d |
| E | 2014 BMW 535d |
11th Character in the BMW 535d VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known BMW 535d Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAXA5C50ED001596 | ||
| G | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAXA5C50GG042005 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW 535d
The final 6 characters in a BMW 535d’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a BMW 535d’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your BMW 535d is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your BMW 535d. The VIN should be visible from the outside of the vehicle.
- On the BMW 535d, the VIN can also be found on the driver’s side door jamb. Open the door and check for a sticker or plate on the area where the door latches when closed.
- Review the vehicle registration documents for your BMW 535d, as the VIN is typically listed there.
- Check your BMW 535d’s insurance card or policy, as the VIN is usually printed on these documents.
- Inspect the engine block of your BMW 535d, as the VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
- The VIN can also be located in the trunk area of your BMW 535d, possibly under the trunk mat or on the trunk lid.
- Look in the spare tire well of your BMW 535d, as the VIN might be found there as well.
What info can a BMW 535d VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can provide insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle, such as a model year of 2016.
- Manufacturing Plant: The VIN can provide information about the plant where the BMW 535d was manufactured, such as Dingolfing in Germany, offering details about its origin and production location.
- Body Class: The VIN can disclose the body class of the BMW 535d, revealing that it is a sedan/saloon, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Fuel Type: The VIN indicates the primary fuel type of the BMW 535d, which is diesel, offering information about its fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: Information about safety features, such as the presence of pretensioners and airbags, can be inferred from the VIN, potentially providing insights into the vehicle’s safety capabilities.
Don’t have your BMW 535d’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW 535d
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Displacement (CC) | 2998.832712 |
| Displacement (CI) | 183 |
| Displacement (L) | 3 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 255 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Diesel |
| 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) |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | 535d |
| Model Year | 2016 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Pretensioners for Driver and Front Passenger. |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5-series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Trim | xDrive |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAFV3C5*GD |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAFV3C50GD687193 |
Decode a BMW VIN
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