- What you'll get from BMW ActiveHybrid 5 VIN check?
- BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a BMW ActiveHybrid 5 VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a BMW ActiveHybrid 5
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a BMW ActiveHybrid 5 VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a BMW ActiveHybrid 5 VIN.
- 10th Character in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW ActiveHybrid 5
- How to find a BMW ActiveHybrid 5's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW ActiveHybrid 5
What you’ll get from BMW ActiveHybrid 5 VIN check?
- Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year and make, potentially indicating a 2014 BMW ActiveHybrid 5.
- Engine Specifications: The VIN may contain details about the engine, including the number of cylinders, in this case, six, displacement measurements in CC (2979.1682352), CI (181.8), and liters (3.0), and engine brake horsepower (335 hp).
- Fuel Type: The primary and secondary fuel types, such as gasoline and electric power for a hybrid electric vehicle, might be indicated in the VIN.
- Safety Features: Airbag information, like the presence and locations of curtain airbags in the 1st and 2nd rows, front airbags in the 1st row, and knee airbags in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, can be inferred from the VIN.
- Body Class and Door Count: The VIN could provide insights into the vehicle’s body class, such as Sedan/Saloon, and the number of doors, which might be four in this example.
- Plant Information: The VIN may include information on the manufacturing plant, such as the plant city of Dingolfing and the country, Germany, indicating where the vehicle was assembled.
- Electrification Level and Vehicle Type: The VIN might specify the electrification level, identifying the vehicle as a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), and confirming the type of vehicle, possibly a passenger car.
BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Vehicle History Risk Factors
BMW’s vehicles are engineered to perform at a high level and maintained to a high standard when new — but used BMWs that have been deferred on maintenance are among the most expensive surprises in the used car market. A Bumper VIN check should be paired with a pre-purchase inspection on any used BMW.
High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on N54 and N55 engines (2007–2013 335i, 535i, 135i). BMW’s turbocharged inline-six engines in this generation had a documented HPFP failure rate that triggered extended warranty coverage. Failure causes sudden loss of power and can strand the vehicle. Check service records for HPFP replacement history.
Cooling system failures across multiple platforms. BMW’s plastic cooling system components — expansion tanks, water pump housings, and thermostat housings — have elevated failure rates compared to the industry average. Coolant leaks are common on high-mileage examples and can cause severe engine damage if ignored. A service history showing proactive cooling system maintenance is a significant positive signal.
Timing chain issues on N20 four-cylinder (2012–2015 328i, 428i, 528i). BMW’s N20 engine had a documented timing chain guide and tensioner failure issue that could cause catastrophic engine damage if not addressed. BMW extended warranty coverage on this component. Verify whether affected vehicles have had the repair performed.
Title washing on high-value models. Luxury BMWs — particularly M3, M5, and X5 M models — appear in salvage title databases at elevated rates due to their high replacement values. Title washing is a real risk. A Bumper report will show title history across state lines, not just the current registration state.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a BMW ActiveHybrid 5 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a BMW ActiveHybrid 5 VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to distinguish where, by whom, and in what vehicle category a vehicle was made. Specifically, for a BMW ActiveHybrid 5 produced between 2012 and 2016, the WMI is WBA. This code indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by BMW AG, a renowned automotive company based in Munich, Germany. The vehicle falls under the passenger car category, confirming its design for personal transportation. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI is crucial for vehicle identification, registration, and tracking purposes across the globe.
List of WMI Codes for a BMW ActiveHybrid 5
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2012-2016
- Example VIN: WBAFZ9C50CC751739
- 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 ActiveHybrid 5 VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
BMW’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes model series, body style, engine configuration, and steering position using a system that’s consistent within model families but requires a reference to decode without familiarity. On 3 Series and 5 Series models, the VDS distinguishes between inline-six, four-cylinder, and diesel variants that are often impossible to differentiate by external appearance alone. The engine character is particularly important for used BMW buyers — the N20 four-cylinder, N52 inline-six, and N55/S55 turbocharged engines have meaningfully different maintenance cost profiles and known failure rates. Confirming the specific engine via VDS before a pre-purchase inspection ensures you know what you’re evaluating.
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 ActiveHybrid 5 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 ActiveHybrid 5 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| G | 2016 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 |
| F | 2015 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 |
| E | 2014 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 |
| D | 2013 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 |
| C | 2012 BMW ActiveHybrid 5 |
11th Character in the BMW ActiveHybrid 5 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known BMW ActiveHybrid 5 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAFZ9C50CC751739 | ||
| D | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAFZ9C50DD090435 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW ActiveHybrid 5
The final 6 characters in a BMW ActiveHybrid 5’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a BMW ActiveHybrid 5’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your BMW ActiveHybrid 5 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 ActiveHybrid 5. This is a common place where the VIN is displayed on a small metal or plastic plate.
- Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb area. The BMW ActiveHybrid 5 often has its VIN on a label or metal plate where the door latches when closed.
- Examine the vehicle registration documents. Your BMW ActiveHybrid 5’s VIN is always printed on the official vehicle registration paperwork.
- Inspect your insurance card or insurance policy documents. Insurance documents for your BMW ActiveHybrid 5 should have the VIN listed for identification purposes.
Don’t have your BMW ActiveHybrid 5’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW ActiveHybrid 5
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Displacement (CC) | 2979.1682352 |
| Displacement (CI) | 181.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 3 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Electrification Level | Strong HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 335 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Fuel Type - Secondary | Electric |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | ActiveHybrid 5 |
| 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 |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBA5E1C5*GD |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample VIN | WBA5E1C54GD062912 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any BMW ActiveHybrid 5 for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a BMW ActiveHybrid 5?
On most BMW vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a BMW ActiveHybrid 5's history for free?
Enter the BMW ActiveHybrid 5’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do BMW ActiveHybrid 5 VIN numbers start with?
BMW ActiveHybrid 5 VIN's start with WBA for vehicles manufactured by BMW AG in Germany. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the BMW ActiveHybrid 5.
Decode a BMW VIN
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