How to decode a MINI Cooper Coupe VIN

Characters 1-3 of a MINI Cooper Coupe VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), which comprises the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), plays a crucial role in identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer and country of origin. For a MINI Cooper Coupe, the sequence WMW marks the distinctive WMI. This trio of letters signifies that your chic MINI was produced under the auspices of BMW AG, noted for its quality German engineering. The WMW identifier not only confirms the car as a product of the prestigious BMW brand but also associates it with the city of Munich, where the company’s headquarters are based. This is just the starting point of a VIN, but it sets the stage, offering a glimpse into the heritage of your MINI Cooper Coupe.

List of WMI Codes for a MINI Cooper Coupe

WMI: WMW

Model Years Covered: 2012-2015
Example VIN: WMWSX3C50CT154754
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 MINI Cooper Coupe 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 MINI Cooper Coupe:

Known VDS for a MINI Cooper Coupe
SX3C5	SX5C5	SX1C5	SX9C5

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 MINI Cooper Coupe 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 MINI Cooper Coupe VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
F	2015 MINI Cooper Coupe
E	2014 MINI Cooper Coupe
D	2013 MINI Cooper Coupe
C	2012 MINI Cooper Coupe

11th Character in the MINI Cooper Coupe VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known MINI Cooper Coupe Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
T	Oxford		United Kingdom		WMWSX3C50CT154754

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a MINI Cooper Coupe

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

Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?

TRY BUMPER

How to find a MINI Cooper Coupe’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your MINI Cooper Coupe is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Begin your search on the MINI Cooper Coupe by examining the dashboard on the driver’s side, where the VIN is typically displayed and can often be seen through the windshield.
Take a look at the driver’s side door jamb; the MINI Cooper Coupe’s VIN can normally be found on a label or sticker in this area where the door latches.
For additional VIN locations on the MINI Cooper Coupe, check the engine bay, as the number may be stamped onto the engine block or a fixed plate.
Consult the vehicle registration documents or the insurance card; the VIN of your MINI Cooper Coupe should be printed on these official documents.
Also, take a peek at the trunk area; sometimes a sticker or a plate with the MINI Cooper Coupe’s VIN can be found near the spare tire or on the trunk’s lid.
Another place to investigate is the frame of the MINI Cooper Coupe; it may carry the VIN on the sections of the frame visible from under the vehicle.

What info can a MINI Cooper Coupe VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2015, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
Body Class: The VIN suggests that the vehicle is a Coupe, giving an indication of its design and structure.
Fuel Type: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle primarily uses gasoline as its fuel type, offering insights into its fuel efficiency and environmental impact.

Don’t have your MINI Cooper Coupe’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a MINI Cooper Coupe

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Coupe
Displacement (CC)	1597.7387400
Displacement (CI)	97.5
Displacement (L)	1.6
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	181
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)
Model	Cooper Coupe
Model Year	2013
Other Restraint System Info	Dual-stage suppl. restraint system (SRS) certified to the advanced airbag requiremnets of FMVSS 208, S14.
Plant City	Oxford
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United Kingdom
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	Cooper S
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	WMWSX3C5*DT
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WMWSX3C50DT408514