How to decode a 2012 BMW X1 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2012 BMW X1 VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences that identify every vehicle manufacturer globally. The WMI for a 2012 BMW X1, for instance, is comprised of the first three characters in its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), indicating the vehicle’s manufacturer and country of origin. In this case, the WMI specifies that the car was made by BMW AG, a renowned car maker based in Munich, Germany. This code is crucial for vehicle registration, identification, and recall purposes. It serves as the first clue in decoding the VIN, providing an immediate understanding of the vehicle’s manufacturing background.
List of WMI Codes for a 2012 BMW X1
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 2012-2015
- Example VIN: WBAVL1C50CVR77606
- 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 2012 BMW X1 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 2012 BMW X1:
| Known VDS for a 2012 BMW X1 |
|---|
| VL1C5 |
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 2012 BMW X1 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 2012 BMW X1 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| C | 2012 |
11th Character in the 2012 BMW X1 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2012 BMW X1 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Leipzig | Germany | WBAVL1C50CVR77606 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 BMW X1
The final 6 characters in a 2012 BMW X1’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your BMW X1’s VIN below:
How to find a 2012 BMW X1’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2012 BMW X1 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW X1, near where the dashboard meets the windshield. The VIN can usually be seen from outside the vehicle.
- Open the driver’s side door and check the door pillar — the VIN is often found on a sticker or a metal plate where the door latches when it is closed.
- Examine the engine bay. For the 2012 BMW X1, the VIN might be stamped on the firewall of the engine compartment.
- Review your vehicle’s registration documents or insurance papers, as they will always include the VIN of your BMW X1.
- Inspect the trunk area – sometimes the VIN can be found in the spare tire well or on the trunk lid. 6. Check beneath the windshield wiper resting area on the exterior of the vehicle; occasionally, the VIN is placed at this location for easier access.
What info can a 2012 BMW X1 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2012, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Drive Type: The drive type can be disclosed from the VIN, showcasing that this vehicle is possibly equipped with All-Wheel Drive (AWD), which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Fuel Type - Primary: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is possibly Gasoline, offering insight into its potential fuel requirements and efficiency.
- Engine Specifications: Engine details are encoded within the VIN, possibly indicating a displacement of 2.00 liters or 121.80 cubic inches, and the engine possibly capable of producing 241 horsepower from a 4-cylinder engine.
- Safety Features: The VIN can reveal possibly comprehensive safety features, such as the potential presence of curtain airbags in the 1st and 2nd rows, front airbags for both driver and passenger in the 1st row, and a knee airbag for the driver’s seat, alongside potential standard pretensioners for the driver and front passenger.
- Body Class and Size: The body class may be identified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with 4 doors, giving a potentially clear picture of the vehicle’s size and type.
- Manufacturing Information: Details about the vehicle’s manufacturing location, including the potential city of Leipzig and the country of Germany, are detailed, offering insight into its possible origin.
Don’t have your 2012 BMW X1’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 BMW X1
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Displacement (CC) | 2000.00 |
| Displacement (CI) | 121.80 |
| Displacement (L) | 2.00 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 241 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| 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) |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | Driver Seat Only |
| Model | X1 |
| Model Year | 2012 |
| 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 |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Trim | xDrive28i SAV |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAVL1C5*CV |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAVL1C50CVR77606 |
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