How to decode a 2012 BMW 550i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2012 BMW 550i VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-character code allocated to each vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). It forms the initial part of the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that helps to identify specific attributes of the vehicle, including its manufacturer, model year, and place of production. For the 2012 BMW 550i, the WMI “WBA” indicates that BMW AG, headquartered in Munich, Germany, is the manufacturer. This code is instrumental in recognizing the vehicle as a passenger car produced by BMW between the years 2006-2017. Understanding a WMI is crucial for various purposes, including registration, insurance, and in tracking the history of a vehicle.
List of WMI Codes for a 2012 BMW 550i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2006-2017
- Example VIN: WBAFR9C50CC271443
- 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 2012 BMW 550i 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 2012 BMW 550i:
| Known VDS for a 2012 BMW 550i | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| FR9C5 | SN4C5 | SP4C5 | FU9C5 |
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 2012 BMW 550i 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 2012 BMW 550i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| C | 2012 |
11th Character in the 2012 BMW 550i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2012 BMW 550i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAFR9C50CC271443 | ||
| D | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAFU9C50CDW93642 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 BMW 550i
The final 6 characters in a 2012 BMW 550i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 2012 BMW 550i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2012 BMW 550i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW 550i. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small plate.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb. The VIN can often be found on a label or sticker where the door latches.
- For the 2012 BMW 550i, you might also find the VIN under the hood, often on the front of the engine block.
- Check the trunk area; sometimes the VIN is located near the spare tire or on the trunk lid’s inner part.
- Examine your vehicle’s paperwork; the VIN will be listed on the title, registration, and insurance documents.
What info can a 2012 BMW 550i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, possibly indicating the year 2012 and providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, potentially indicating that the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and utility.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN data shows an engine with 4.4L displacement, 400hp, and 8 cylinders, possibly reflecting the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
- Safety Features: The VIN indicates the presence of front airbags for the 1st row (Driver and Passenger), side airbags, knee airbags, other inflatable restraints, and pretensioners, possibly highlighting comprehensive safety measures for occupants.
- Fuel Type: The VIN specifies that the vehicle uses Gasoline, which can be essential for understanding fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN indicates that the vehicle was manufactured in Dingolfing, Germany, potentially providing information on its origin and possibly its build quality.
- Additional Features: Details like a manual seat belt type, a direct tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), and specific trim (xDrive) give further insights into the vehicle’s specifications and luxury attributes.
Don’t have your 2012 BMW 550i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 BMW 550i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 4395.0105648 |
| Displacement (CI) | 268.2 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.4 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 400 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| 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 | 550i |
| Model Year | 2012 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Head Inflatable Restraint for Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Outboard Driver-side and Rear Outboard Passenger-side. Knee Inflatable Restraint for Driver and Front Passenger. 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 GT |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBASP4C5*CC |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBASP4C50CC341899 |
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