Free BMW i8 VIN Decoder

How to decode a BMW i8 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a BMW i8 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle and provides specific information about the vehicle, including its production location and vehicle type. In the context of the BMW i8, the WMI WBY signifies that the vehicle was manufactured by BMW AG, highlighting its origins in Munich, Germany. The BMW i8, with WMI WBY, encompasses model years from 2014-2017 and 2019-2020, indicating the specific periods during which these units were produced. This alphanumeric code helps in distinguishing the vehicle as a passenger car, reflecting on BMW’s intricate system of classification and manufacture identification. Through the WMI, stakeholders can accurately trace the vehicle’s lineage, ensuring clarity in the vehicle’s history and its manufacturing authenticity.

List of WMI Codes for a BMW i8

WMI: WBY

• Model Years Covered: 2014-2017, 2019-2020
• Example VIN: WBY2Z2C50EVX64165
• 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 i8 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 i8:

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 i8 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 i8 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the BMW i8 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known BMW i8 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW i8

The final 6 characters in a BMW i8’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a BMW i8 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN may suggest the vehicle’s model year being the year 2019, potentially offering insights into the age and historical value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Drive Type: The VIN might reveal the vehicle as a Coupe with an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design, structure, and handling characteristics.
• Engine Type: The VIN could disclose that the vehicle is a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) with a 3-cylinder engine and a displacement of 1.5L, providing information about the vehicle’s propulsion and potential performance.
• Safety Features: Standard safety technologies, like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and various airbag locations, may be specified in the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s safety equipment.
• Advanced Technology Options: Optional advanced features, such as Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB), might be indicated, reflecting the vehicle’s level of technological sophistication and available enhancements for driving experience and safety.
• Fuel Efficiency: The VIN can possibly reveal the vehicle’s primary and secondary fuel types, indicating its design for efficiency and lower emissions, with Electric power as the primary fuel and Gasoline as a secondary option.
• Manufacturing Location: Information about the manufacturing plant’s location, such as Leipzig, Germany, can provide insights into the vehicle’s origin and potential influences on its quality and design.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW i8