How to decode a 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code assigned to automotive manufacturers, allowing for the identification of the vehicle’s maker and region of manufacture. For example, the 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster has a WMI that indicates it was manufactured by BMW AG, one of the world’s leading automakers, known for its commitment to quality and innovation. This particular vehicle was produced in Munich, Germany, denoting a high standard of engineering and design inherent to its geographical manufacturing roots. The WMI is embedded in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving as the initial segment that provides essential details about the vehicle’s history and origin. Understanding the WMI is crucial for anyone seeking detailed information about a vehicle’s manufacturing background, especially for models known for their prestige and performance.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 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 2012 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 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster:

Known VDS for a 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster
SY5C5	SY1C5	SY3C5

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 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 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

11th Character in the 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 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 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster

The final 6 characters in a 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your MINI Cooper Roadster’s VIN below:

How to find a 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mini Cooper Roadster. The VIN should be visible through the windshield on a small plaque near where the dashboard meets the glass.
Look at the door post on the driver’s side when you open the door of your 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster. The VIN is likely to be found on a sticker or a plate here where the door latches when closed.
Check under the hood of your Mini Cooper Roadster. The VIN might be stamped onto the engine block or displayed on a plaque attached to a part of the engine bay or the firewall.
Inspect the trunk area of the Mini Cooper Roadster. Sometimes the VIN is located in the spare tire wheel well or on the trunk’s side walls.
Review your vehicle’s paperwork for the 2012 Mini Cooper Roadster, such as the title, registration, or insurance documents, which should all list the VIN.

What info can a 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Size: A VIN can specify the body class, for example indicating a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Specifications: The VIN often details engine specifications, including displacement in liters (1.6L), cylinders (4), and the primary fuel type used (Gasoline).
Safety Features: Through the VIN, one can potentially uncover safety features of the vehicle, such as the presence of front airbags for both the driver and passenger, and a manual seat belt type. It may also mention other restraint system information, like a dual-stage supplemental restraint system (SRS).
Plant Location: The production location, including the city (Oxford) and country (United Kingdom) where the vehicle was manufactured, can be determined from the VIN.
Vehicle Identification and Series: VIN decoding provides specific model identification, such as a Cooper Roadster, and even the series of the model, which in this case is the Cooper S series.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS): A VIN can reveal the type of TPMS fitted in the vehicle, indicating a direct type in this example.

Don’t have your 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 MINI Cooper Roadster

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Displacement (CC)	1597.7387400
Displacement (CI)	97.5
Displacement (L)	1.6
Doors	2
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	2012
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	WMWSY3C5*CT
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WMWSY3C50CT144125