How to decode a 2016 BMW M2 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2016 BMW M2 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) serve as unique codes that pinpoint the specific manufacturer, vehicle type, and manufacturing location of motor vehicles. For example, the WMI for a 2016 BMW M2 encapsulates key information: it identifies BMW M GmbH as the manufacturer, revealing the vehicle as a passenger car produced by this specialized division of BMW. The code is specific to models produced during the years 2016 to 2021, affirming the vehicle’s creation under the meticulous standards of BMW’s performance-focused M division. Additionally, this particular identifier places the vehicle’s production in Munich, Germany, spotlighting the geographic origin alongside the marque’s prestigious lineage. This blend of data in the WMI not only guarantees the vehicle’s authenticity but also links it to the rich heritage and engineering prowess of BMW’s M series.

List of WMI Codes for a 2016 BMW M2

WMI: WBS

Model Years Covered: 2016-2021
Example VIN: WBS1H9C50GV351831
Manufacturer Name: BMW M GmbH
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Munich
State or Province:
Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2016 BMW M2 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 2016 BMW M2:

Known VDS for a 2016 BMW M2
1H9C5

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 2016 BMW M2 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 2016 BMW M2 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
G	2016

11th Character in the 2016 BMW M2 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2016 BMW M2 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
V	Leipzig		Germany		WBS1H9C50GV351831

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2016 BMW M2

The final 6 characters in a 2016 BMW M2’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?

TRY BUMPER

How to find a 2016 BMW M2’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2016 BMW M2 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the lower-right corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2016 BMW M2. The VIN should be visible through the windshield.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side of your BMW M2. The VIN might be found on a sticker or label where the door latches when it is closed.
Check under the hood of your BMW M2; the VIN can often be found on a plate or sticker mounted on the engine block or on the strut tower.
Inspect the trunk area of your M2. The VIN might be located on the floor right below the spare tire or on the trunk’s hinge.
Review your vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or title (also known as a pink slip), where the VIN for your BMW M2 should be listed.

What info can a 2016 BMW M2 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2016, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle, as well as its period-specific technologies and features.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN provides specific production insights, pointing to Leipzig, Germany, indicating the vehicle’s European manufacturing lineage, which may offer insights into its build quality and potential market availability.
Engine and Performance: It reveals an engine configuration of 6 cylinders with a displacement of 3 L (2979.1682352 CC or 181.8 CI), and an engine brake horsepower from 365, showcasing its robust performance characteristics, which may be influential in understanding the vehicle’s power delivery and driving dynamics.
Body Specifications: The VIN indicates that this particular vehicle is classified as a Coupe, featuring 2 doors, which hints at the vehicle’s design intended for sports or luxury appeal, providing insight into its intended use and target market.
Safety Features: The VIN decode indicates that the vehicle is equipped with curtain airbags in both the 1st and 2nd rows, front airbags for both driver and passenger in the 1st row, knee airbags, and a direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), indicating a comprehensive approach to occupant safety, highlighting the vehicle’s commitment to passenger protection.
Fuel Type: The VIN reveals that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, which aligns with its high-performance engine specifications, potentially influencing the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and maintenance costs.
Other Restraint and Safety Systems: The presence of pretensioners for both the driver and front passenger seats, alongside manual seat belts, enhances the safety credentials of this vehicle, reflecting a comprehensive approach to occupant protection.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It falls under the category of Class 1, with a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), illustrating the vehicle’s positioning in the lightweight passenger car segment, offering insights into its load-carrying capacity and potential towing capabilities.

Don’t have your 2016 BMW M2’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2016 BMW M2

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Coupe
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Displacement (CC)	2979.1682352
Displacement (CI)	181.8
Displacement (L)	3
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	365
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
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)
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	M2
Model Year	2016
Other Restraint System Info	Pretensioners for Driver and Front Passenger.
Plant City	Leipzig
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	2-series
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	WBS1H9C5*GV
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WBS1H9C50GV351831