How to decode a BMW 740i VIN
Characters 1-3 of a BMW 740i VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial trio of characters within a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), and it serves a crucial role by identifying the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the BMW 740i, the WMI is WBA, which stands for BMW AG, headquartered in Munich, Germany. This distinctive code not only verifies the automotive brand but also provides insight into where the car originates. In the case of the BMW 740i, this portion of the VIN signifies that the vehicle is part of BMW’s illustrious lineup, synonymous with luxury, performance, and precision engineering. The WMI is an integral part of the VIN’s structure and a gateway to understanding a vehicle’s provenance and manufacturer details.
List of WMI Codes for a BMW 740i
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1993-1995, 1997-1998, 2001, 2011-2021, 2023-2024
- Example VIN: WBAGD4322PDE61601
- 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 740i 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 740i:
| Known VDS for a BMW 740i | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GD432 | GF632 | GF832 | GG834 | GH834 | KA4C5 | YA6C5 | 7E2C5 | 7E2C3 | 7E4C5 |
| 7E4C3 | 7T2C0 | 7T4C0 | 23EH0 | 33EH0 | |||||
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 740i 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 740i VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 BMW 740i |
| P | 2023 BMW 740i |
| M | 2021 BMW 740i |
| L | 2020 BMW 740i |
| K | 2019 BMW 740i |
| J | 2018 BMW 740i |
| H | 2017 BMW 740i |
| G | 2016 BMW 740i |
| F | 2015 BMW 740i |
| E | 2014 BMW 740i |
| D | 2013 BMW 740i |
| C | 2012 BMW 740i |
| B | 2011 BMW 740i |
| 1 | 2001 BMW 740i |
| W | 1998 BMW 740i |
| V | 1997 BMW 740i |
| S | 1995 BMW 740i |
| R | 1994 BMW 740i |
| P | 1993 BMW 740i |
11th Character in the BMW 740i VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known BMW 740i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Greer | South Carolina | United States | WBAKA4C59C0599115 | |
| B | Dingolfing | Germany | WBA7E2C50JB214928 | ||
| C | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAKA4C50BC392237 | ||
| D | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAGD4322PDE61601 | ||
| G | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAYA6C50FG273124 | ||
| L | Greer | South Carolina | United States | WBA7T2C05LLD57867 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW 740i
The final 6 characters in a BMW 740i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a BMW 740i’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your BMW 740i is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look for the VIN on the BMW 740i’s dashboard, typically found on the driver’s side and visible through the windshield.
- Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your BMW 740i, you may find a VIN sticker where the door latches when closed.
- Examine the engine bay for a metal plate or sticker that contains the VIN information for your BMW 740i.
- Look at the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance cards, or title for the VIN of your BMW 740i.
- Check beneath the spare tire in the trunk area, as some BMW 740i models may have the VIN located there.
- Review the owner’s manual or maintenance records, with the VIN of your BMW 740i usually printed on these documents.
- For some BMW 740i models, the VIN may also be found on the front of the car frame, near the windshield washer fluid container.
What info can a BMW 740i VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year indicating the year of production, which in this case possibly points to the 740i being manufactured in a specific year.
- Manufacturer Name: The VIN specifies the manufacturer name as BMW AG, suggesting that the 740i is possibly manufactured by BMW AG.
- Body Class: The VIN may reveal the body class of the vehicle, possibly indicating the size and style, such as sedan or coupe.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is classified as a passenger car, suggesting the primary purpose and design of the 740i.
Don’t have your BMW 740i’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW 740i
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Optional |
| Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) | Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Base Price ($) | 89800.00 |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 2997.1940056 |
| Displacement (CI) | 182.9 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.9971940056 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 335 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Event Data Recorder (EDR) | Standard |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| 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) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Centering Assistance | Standard |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Optional |
| Model | 740i |
| Model Year | 2021 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Seat Belt: All Positions; Front/Rear: Pretensioner / Head Inflatable Restraint: Rear Outboard Driver-side & Rear Outboard Passenger-side |
| Parking Assist | Standard |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Rear Cross Traffic Alert | Standard |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | 7-Series |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 8 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | 740i xDrive |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBA7T4C0*MC |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 126.40 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 18 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 18 |
| Sample_VIN | WBA7T4C00MCE60773 |
Decode a BMW VIN
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