How to decode a 1996 BMW 740Li VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1996 BMW 740Li VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique sequence of characters assigned to every vehicle manufacturer worldwide. For the 1996 BMW 740Li, the WMI is “WBA,” which specifically denotes BMW AG as the manufacturer. This code is integral to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), helping to identify the vehicle’s make, model, and manufacturing details. The “WBA” WMI code marks vehicles made by BMW in Munich, Germany, where this esteemed manufacturer headquartered. It is a crucial component in vehicle identification, especially for manufacturing and regulatory purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a 1996 BMW 740Li
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1995-1996, 1999-2000, 2011-2015, 2022
- Example VIN: WBAGJ8320TDL35597
- 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 1996 BMW 740Li 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 1996 BMW 740Li:
| Known VDS for a 1996 BMW 740Li |
|---|
| GJ832 |
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 1996 BMW 740Li 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 1996 BMW 740Li VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| T | 1996 |
11th Character in the 1996 BMW 740Li VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1996 BMW 740Li Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAGJ8320TDL35597 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1996 BMW 740Li
The final 6 characters in a 1996 BMW 740Li’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW 740Li’s VIN below:
How to find a 1996 BMW 740Li’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1996 BMW 740Li is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1996 BMW 740Li. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield on a small placard.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb or door pillar. There should be a VIN label or sticker present where the door latches when it is closed.
- Check under the hood of your BMW 740Li; the VIN may also be stamped on the front engine block or on a plate attached to the strut tower.
- Examine the vehicle’s firewall; in some BMW models, the VIN is stamped onto the metal section that separates the engine bay from the cabin.
- Look at the rear wheel well; sometimes the VIN is stamped above the tire.
- Inspect the paperwork associated with the vehicle, such as the title, registration, or insurance documents, as they will contain the VIN for your 1996 BMW 740Li.
What info can a 1996 BMW 740Li VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially being the year 1996, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Type and Specifications: The VIN indicates the vehicle as a Passenger Car, specifically a Sedan/Saloon, featuring a 4.40 L (268.4 CI) engine with a power output of 282 horsepower from an 8-cylinder engine made by BMW-AG, potentially offering a luxurious and high-performance driving experience.
- Safety Features: The VIN decodes to show it may have safety features including 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) Front Air Bag Locations and a Manual Seat Belt Type, alongside a Driver and Passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), possibly ensuring a certain level of protection for occupants.
- Fuel Efficiency and Engine Details: It specifies that the car is possibly powered by Gasoline, emphasizing the vehicle’s fuel type as a primary option, inclusive of an engine displacement of 4400.00 CC, potentially indicating its fuel efficiency and power.
- Manufacturing Details: Detailed information points to Dingolfing, Germany as the manufacturing location, possibly underlining the vehicle’s European origins and potential adherence to BMW’s engineering standards.
- Doors and Body Class: It is confirmed to have 4 doors, classified as a Sedan/Saloon, which possibly provides insights into the vehicle’s size and design ethos.
- Series and Model Confirmation: The VIN specifies the vehicle as part of the 7-Series, a luxury lineup from BMW, ensuring a high level of comfort and advanced features typical of the series.
Don’t have your 1996 BMW 740Li’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1996 BMW 740Li
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 4400.00 |
| Displacement (CI) | 268.4 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.40 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 282 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | 740iL |
| Model Year | 1996 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and Passenger Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 7-Series |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAGJ832*TD |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAGJ8320TDL35597 |
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today