How to decode a 2021 BMW M3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2021 BMW M3 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. The 2021 BMW M3, a celebrated passenger car, is produced by BMW M GmbH, which is denoted by the WMI code “WBS” assigned to vehicles crafted in Munich, Germany. These codes are the initial three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing key details about the vehicle’s origin, manufacturing division, and vehicle type. Specifically, the WMI “WBS” indicates that the vehicle is a product of BMW’s high-performance M division, renowned for engineering vehicles with exceptional prowess on road and track. Thus, WMIs serve as an essential tool for identifying and verifying the lineage and specifications of vehicles like the 2021 BMW M3.

List of WMI Codes for a 2021 BMW M3

WMI: WBS

Model Years Covered: 1988, 1995-1999, 2002-2006, 2008-2013, 2015-2018, 2021-2024
Example VIN: WBS33AY00MFK49361
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 2021 BMW M3 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 2021 BMW M3:

Known VDS for a 2021 BMW M3
33AY0	53AY0

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 2021 BMW M3 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 2021 BMW M3 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
M	2021

11th Character in the 2021 BMW M3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2021 BMW M3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
F	Munich		Germany		WBS33AY00MFK49361

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2021 BMW M3

The final 6 characters in a 2021 BMW M3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your BMW M3’s VIN below:

How to find a 2021 BMW M3’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2021 BMW M3 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW M3. The VIN can typically be seen from outside the vehicle, just where the dashboard meets the windshield.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side door of your BMW M3. The VIN is often located on a sticker or plate where the door latches when it is closed.
Examine the engine bay of your BMW M3 where the engine block meets the body of the car; sometimes the VIN is stamped onto a metal plate in this area.
Check inside your BMW M3’s trunk, it might be under the trunk floor cover or on the trunk walls, as manufacturers sometimes put the VIN in these locations.
Review your BMW M3’s vehicle registration documents, insurance papers, or service records, as the VIN is typically recorded there for identification and verification purposes.
Inspect the frame of your BMW M3 near the windshield washer container in the engine compartment, as some manufacturers also place a VIN sticker in this location.

What info can a 2021 BMW M3 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2021, providing insights into the age and potential technological features of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: It can specify the engine details, such as a 6-cylinder engine with a displacement of approximately 2.992 liters or 182.6 cubic inches, illustrating the power source’s capabilities.
Safety Features: Numerous safety features are encoded within the VIN, indicating if equipment like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Automatic Crash Notification (ACN), and curtain airbags for both the 1st and 2nd rows are standard or optional.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is gasoline, which can help users understand the vehicle’s environmental impact and fuel consumption patterns.
Drive Type and Transmission: Descriptive of the vehicle’s drivetrain as RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive and transmission details, such as an 8-speed automatic, highlighting the vehicle’s performance characteristics.
Body Class and Number of Seats: Indicates the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon with seating for up to 5 passengers, providing insight into the vehicle’s size, space, and potential usage.
Plant Location: The manufacturing details like the plant city being Munich, Germany, give an idea of the vehicle’s origin, which can be essential for understanding the build quality and availability of parts.

Don’t have your 2021 BMW M3’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2021 BMW M3

Vehicle Spec	Value
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)	Optional
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 ($)	72800.00
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Standard
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Optional
Displacement (CC)	2992.2778864
Displacement (CI)	182.6
Displacement (L)	2.9922778864
Doors	4
Drive Type	RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive
Dynamic Brake Support (DBS)	Standard
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	Standard
Engine Brake (hp) From	503
Engine Number of Cylinders	6
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 Departure Warning (LDW)	Standard
Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA)	Optional
Model	M3
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 / Front/Rear: Head Inflatable Restraint: Rear Outboard Driver-side & Rear Outboard Passenger-side
Parking Assist	Optional
Plant City	Munich
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Pretensioner	Yes
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	Optional
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching	Standard
Series	3-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	M3 Comp
Vehicle Descriptor	WBS33AY0*MF
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Wheel Base (inches) From	112.50
Wheel Size Front (inches)	19
Wheel Size Rear (inches)	20
Sample_VIN	WBS33AY00MFK49361