How to decode a McLaren 650S VIN

Characters 1-3 of a McLaren 650S VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the high-performance McLaren 650S supercar, the WMI is SBM, signifying that the vehicle is produced by McLaren Automotive Limited. Located in Surrey, England, McLaren is known for its luxury sports vehicles that often lead the industry in innovation and design. The WMI not only provides information about the manufacturer but also indicates the country and sometimes even the specific facility where the vehicle was assembled. In the case of the 650S, this three-letter code is the gateway to uncovering the origins of this prestigious and powerful machine.

List of WMI Codes for a McLaren 650S

WMI: SBM

Model Years Covered: 2015-2016
Example VIN: SBM11FAA0FW003649
Manufacturer Name: McLaren Automotive Limited
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Woodcliff Lake
State or Province: Surrey
Country: England

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a McLaren 650S 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 McLaren 650S:

Known VDS for a McLaren 650S
11FAA	11DAA	11DAB

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 McLaren 650S 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 McLaren 650S VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
G	2016 McLaren 650S
F	2015 McLaren 650S

11th Character in the McLaren 650S VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known McLaren 650S Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
W	Working		England	Mclaren Automotive Limited	SBM11FAA0FW003649

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a McLaren 650S

The final 6 characters in a McLaren 650S’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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How to find a McLaren 650S’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your McLaren 650S is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Inspect the dashboard through the windshield on the driver’s side of your McLaren 650S, as the VIN is typically displayed on a placard in this area.
Look at the door jamb on the driver’s side when the door is opened; the VIN might be located on a sticker or a plate here on your McLaren 650S.
Examine the engine bay for a metal plate or sticker that could have the VIN engraved on it for your McLaren 650S.
Review your McLaren 650S’s vehicle registration documents or insurance papers, as they always include the VIN.
Consult the owner’s manual or service book of your McLaren 650S, as the VIN is often recorded there when the vehicle first enters service.

What info can a McLaren 650S VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN may reveal the vehicle’s model year to be 2015 or 2016, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
Body Class: The VIN can indicate the body style of the vehicle, possibly a coupe, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Transmission Style: The VIN may specify the transmission style of the vehicle, which might be a dual-clutch transmission (DCT), influencing the driving experience and performance.

Don’t have your McLaren 650S’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a McLaren 650S

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Curtain Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Destination Market	U.S.
Displacement (CC)	3800.0
Displacement (CI)	231.89022755998
Displacement (L)	3.8
Doors	2
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Knee Air Bag Locations	Driver Seat Only
Model	650S
Model Year	2015
Plant City	Working
Plant Company Name	Mclaren Automotive Limited
Plant Country	England
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Spider S
Steering Location	Left-Hand Drive (LHD)
Transmission Style	Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT)
Vehicle Descriptor	SBM11FAA*FW
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	SBM11FAA0FW003649