How to decode a 2022 BMW M3 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2022 BMW M3 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code designated to every vehicle manufacturer globally. It forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides specific information about the vehicle, including its manufacturer, place of manufacture, and vehicle type. In the case of the 2022 BMW M3, the WMI indicates it is produced by BMW M GmbH, located in Munich, Germany. This WMI highlights the vehicle as a passenger car, reflecting its designed use and manufacturer’s specialized branch for performance models. WMIs serve as an essential tool in identifying and tracking vehicles worldwide, offering a clear insight into their origin and specifications.

List of WMI Codes for a 2022 BMW M3

WMI: WBS

Model Years Covered: 1988, 1995-1999, 2002-2006, 2008-2013, 2015-2018, 2021-2024
Example VIN: WBS53AY00NFL61619
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 2022 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 2022 BMW M3:

Known VDS for a 2022 BMW M3
53AY0	33AY0	43AY0

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 2022 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 2022 BMW M3 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
N	2022

11th Character in the 2022 BMW M3 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2022 BMW M3 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
F	Munich		Germany		WBS53AY00NFL61619

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2022 BMW M3

The final 6 characters in a 2022 BMW M3’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a 2022 BMW M3’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2022 BMW M3 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 2022 BMW M3. The VIN should be visible from the outside on a small metal or plastic plate.
Open the door on the driver’s side of your BMW M3 and check the door jamb. The VIN is typically found on a sticker or plate where the door latches.
Inspect the front of the car frame, near the container that holds windshield washer fluid, to find a VIN plate on your 2022 BMW M3.
Examine your BMW M3’s insurance or ownership documents. The VIN is always printed on the registration, title, and insurance papers.
For extra verification, check the engine block of your M3, the VIN may sometimes be stamped on the engine itself.

What info can a 2022 BMW M3 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2022, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN can offer information about the manufacturing details, such as the plant city being Munich and the country being Germany, providing insights into the vehicle’s origin and production.
Engine and Performance Specifications: VINs can provide detailed engine specifications, including the type (gasoline), cylinders (six), horsepower (503), and displacement (2.992 liters), giving an understanding of the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
Body and Design Attributes: A VIN may offer insights into the body class of a vehicle, indicating it as a sedan/saloon, along with design features like LED headlamps and the number of doors, providing details about the vehicle’s exterior and design.
Safety and Security Features: Valuable safety information such as the presence of standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), as well as advanced features like Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) and Blind Spot Warning (BSW) can be decoded from a VIN, highlighting the vehicle’s safety capabilities.
Driver Assistance Technologies: The availability of standard and optional driver assistance technologies, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW), can be extracted, giving insights into the vehicle’s technological capabilities.
Interior and Convenience Features: Insight into interior specifications like the number of seat rows, total seating capacity, and convenience features such as keyless ignition and a standard backup camera could also be identified through the VIN, providing details about the vehicle’s interior and convenience offerings.
Transmission and Drivetrain Details: Key mechanical details like the vehicle having an automatic transmission with 8 speeds and being rear-wheel drive (RWD) are aspects that could be revealed through a detailed VIN analysis, offering insights into the vehicle’s driving dynamics.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2022 BMW M3

Vehicle Spec	Value
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)	Optional
Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB)	Standard
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs	Standard
Backup Camera	Standard
Blind Spot Warning (BSW)	Standard
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Daytime Running Light (DRL)	Standard
Displacement (CC)	2992.2778864
Displacement (CI)	182.6
Displacement (L)	2.9922778864
Doors	4
Drive Type	RWD/Rear-Wheel Drive
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	2022
Number of Seat Rows	2
Number of Seats	5
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	Standard
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)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Traction Control	Standard
Transmission Speeds	8
Transmission Style	Automatic
Trim	M3 Comp
Vehicle Descriptor	WBS33AY0*NF
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WBS33AY00NFL61191