How to decode a 2016 BMW X5 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2016 BMW X5 VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to identify the origin of their vehicles. For the 2016 BMW X5, the WMI is “5UX”, indicating that this multipurpose passenger vehicle (MPV) is manufactured by BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America. This specific code points to a vehicle made in Greer, South Carolina, United States. WMIs are essential in deciphering important information about a vehicle, including its manufacturing location and the company responsible for its production. For BMW X5 models produced in 2016, the WMI “5UX” serves as a key identifier showcasing its American manufacturing roots under the BMW brand.

List of WMI Codes for a 2016 BMW X5

WMI: 5UX

Model Years Covered: 2002-2024
Example VIN: 5UXKT0C50G0F74570
Manufacturer Name: BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Greer
State or Province: South Carolina
Country: United States WMI: 5YM
Model Years Covered: 2010-2013, 2015-2018, 2020-2024
Example VIN: 5YMKT6C50G0C89749
Manufacturer Name: BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Greer
State or Province: South Carolina
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2016 BMW X5 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 X5:

Known VDS for a 2016 BMW X5
KT0C5	KR6C5	KS4C5	KR2C5	KT6C5	KR0C5

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 X5 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 X5 VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
G	2016

11th Character in the 2016 BMW X5 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2016 BMW X5 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
0	Greer	South Carolina	United States		5UXKT0C50G0F74570

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2016 BMW X5

The final 6 characters in a 2016 BMW X5’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your BMW X5’s VIN below:

How to find a 2016 BMW X5’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2016 BMW X5 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the lower-right corner of the dashboard on the driver’s side of your BMW X5. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb for a sticker or plate on your 2016 BMW X5 where you might find the VIN displayed.
Examine the front of the engine block, as VINs are often stamped onto the engine itself in BMW vehicles.
Check inside the trunk under the spare tire; sometimes, there is a sticker with the VIN on your BMW X5.
Look at your vehicle’s registration documents, or insurance card/policy, as they should list the VIN of your BMW X5.
Consult the owner’s manual or service book, as the VIN is typically recorded here when the vehicle is first sold.

What info can a 2016 BMW X5 VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year being the year 2016, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: It may indicate the vehicle is categorized as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle with the specific body style of a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), offering clues about its size, usage, and design.
Engine and Performance: Details such as a 2.0L engine with 308 hp and 4 cylinders may suggest the vehicle’s power and efficiency, including its electrification level as a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), which might point to its environmental performance and fuel efficiency.
Safety Features: The presence of airbags in the 1st and 2nd rows, knee airbags for the driver and passenger, and pretensioners for the front occupants could highlight the vehicle’s emphasis on safety.
Fuel Type: The dual nature of the vehicle’s fuel system, primarily electric with gasoline as secondary, can emphasize its hybrid functionality, which can potentially impact fuel economy and emission ratings.
Plant Information: Manufacturing details such as the plant city Greer, state South Carolina, and country of the United States, may provide clues about the vehicle’s origin, which might impact parts availability and recall history.
Model and Trim: The VIN specifies the model as X5 with the trim levels xDrive40e and SAV, potentially giving potential owners an idea of the vehicle’s luxury and performance specifications.

Don’t have your 2016 BMW X5’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2016 BMW X5

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Displacement (CC)	2000
Displacement (CI)	121.8
Displacement (L)	2
Doors	4
Electrification Level	PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
Engine Brake (hp) From	308
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Electric
Fuel Type - Secondary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	X5
Model Year	2016
Other Restraint System Info	Pretensioners for Driver and Front Passenger.
Plant City	Greer
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	South Carolina
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	xDrive40e
Trim2	SAV
Vehicle Descriptor	5UXKT0C5*G0
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	5UXKT0C50G0F74570