How to decode a MINI Cooper Roadster VIN

Characters 1-3 of a MINI Cooper Roadster VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a specific code designated to each vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). This unique three-letter or number sequence is the start of every Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), allowing you to identify the manufacturer of the vehicle. For the MINI Cooper Roadster, the WMI is WMW, which signifies that the vehicle is manufactured by BMW AG, reflecting its German engineering and origin. This WMI is consistent across all MINI Cooper Roadster vehicles, providing a quick reference to the make when looking at the VIN. Understanding the WMI is the first step in decoding the wealth of information contained within the VIN of your MINI Cooper Roadster.

List of WMI Codes for a MINI Cooper Roadster

WMI: WMW

Model Years Covered: 2012-2015
Example VIN: WMWSY5C50CT312521
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 Roadster 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 Roadster:

Known VDS for a MINI Cooper Roadster
SY5C5	SY1C5	SY3C5	SY9C5

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 Roadster 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 Roadster VIN — Year Code

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

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

Known MINI Cooper Roadster Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
T	Oxford		United Kingdom		WMWSY5C50CT312521

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a MINI Cooper Roadster

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

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How to find a MINI Cooper Roadster’s VIN?

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

Peer through the windshield on the driver’s side of your MINI Cooper Roadster to see if the VIN is present on the dashboard, typically located near the corner where the dashboard meets the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door jamb area, as the MINI Cooper Roadster often has a VIN plate or sticker placed where the door latches shut.
Take a look at the vehicle registration documents, where the MINI Cooper Roadster’s VIN is always recorded for identification purposes.
Consult the insurance card or policy for your MINI Cooper Roadster, as the VIN is usually listed there for reference.
Inspect the engine bay, as the MINI Cooper Roadster may have the VIN engraved on a component or on a plate fixed within this area.

What info can a MINI Cooper Roadster VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year 2015, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
Body Class: The VIN provides information about the body class of the vehicle, which is specified as a roadster. This offers detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Manufacturer Name: The VIN shows the manufacturer of the vehicle, which is BMW AG, offering insight into the vehicle’s production lineage.
Displacement: The VIN can provide information about the engine displacement of the vehicle, offering insights into the vehicle’s power and performance characteristics.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a MINI Cooper Roadster

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Roadster
Displacement (CC)	1597.7387400
Displacement (CI)	97.5
Displacement (L)	1.6
Doors	2
Engine Brake (hp) From	208
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 Roadster
Model Year	2014
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	JCW
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Vehicle Descriptor	WMWSY9C5*ET
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WMWSY9C50ET626597