How to decode a MINI Hardtop VIN
Characters 1-3 of a MINI Hardtop VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier, commonly known as the WMI, is a unique three-letter or three-digit code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer. This code forms the beginning of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is akin to a car’s genetic code or fingerprint. For the MINI Hardtop, the WMI is WMW, signaling that the vehicle was manufactured by BMW AG. These first three characters are crucial as they not only indicate the manufacturer but can also provide information about the vehicle’s country and city of origin as designated by international agreements. In the case of the MINI Hardtop, a car with a VIN starting with WMW traces its origins back to the company’s facilities in Germany, although certain MINIs may also be produced in other locations such as the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
List of WMI Codes for a MINI Hardtop
WMI: WMW
- Model Years Covered: 2009-2024
- Example VIN: WMWMF93509TF96217
- 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 Hardtop 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 Hardtop:
| Known VDS for a MINI Hardtop | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MF935 | MF9C5 | SU3C5 | SV3C5 | SV9C5 | SU9C5 | XM7C5 | XM5C5 | XM9C5 | XU3C5 |
| XS5C5 | XP7C5 | XP5C5 | XU1C5 | XP5C3 | XU1C3 | XP7C3 | XM9C3 | XU3C3 | XR9C0 |
| XR3C0 | XU9C0 | XR5C0 | XU7C0 | XP3C0 | XX9C0 | 33DH0 | 53DH0 | 73DH0 | 53DK0 |
| 13DJ0 | 33DK0 | ||||||||
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 Hardtop 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 Hardtop VIN — Year Code
11th Character in the MINI Hardtop VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known MINI Hardtop Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Oxford | United Kingdom | WMWXU3C50F2B55768 | ||
| 3 | Born | Netherlands | WMWXM5C50F3A04337 | ||
| T | Oxford | United Kingdom | WMWMF93509TF96217 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a MINI Hardtop
The final 6 characters in a MINI Hardtop’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a MINI Hardtop’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your MINI Hardtop is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your MINI Hardtop; the VIN is usually positioned so it can be seen through the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb for a sticker or plate; the VIN for your MINI Hardtop might be located there.
- Lift the bonnet/hood and inspect the front of the engine block; the VIN can sometimes be found stamped onto the metal surface.
- Examine your MINI Hardtop vehicle registration documents or insurance papers, which should list the VIN.
- For a less common spot, check the rear wheel well; you might have to turn the steering wheel to the maximum extent to view the VIN.
- Inspect the trunk area of your MINI Hardtop; the VIN might be found on the floor right beside where the spare tire is housed or near the trunk latch.
What info can a MINI Hardtop VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can indicate the model year of the vehicle, suggesting the year 2024, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturer Name: The VIN provides information about the manufacturer, which is BMW AG, offering details about the company responsible for the vehicle’s production.
- Plant City: The VIN includes the plant city where the vehicle was manufactured, in this case, Oxford, providing insights into the vehicle’s place of origin.
- Model: The VIN specifies the model of the vehicle, which is Hardtop, offering specific details about the vehicle’s model type.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN can reveal the vehicle type, indicating it is a passenger car, providing information about its intended use.
- Fuel Type - Primary: The VIN indicates the primary fuel type of the vehicle, in this case, it is electric, offering details about the vehicle’s fuel source.
Don’t have your MINI Hardtop’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a MINI Hardtop
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Safety System Note | Standard: Active Cruise Control (has the ability to reduce speed and keep a desire distance, but does not have the stop & go capabilities) |
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Optional |
| Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) | Optional |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Base Price ($) | 26400.00 |
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Optional |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 1995.9443952 |
| Displacement (CI) | 121.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 2 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Drive Type | FWD/Front-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 189 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Optional |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | Hardtop |
| Model Year | 2018 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 4 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver and passenger dual-stage suppl. restraint system (SRS) certified to the advanced airbag req’ments of FMVSS 208, S14; Pretensioners for driver and front passenger |
| Parking Assist | Optional |
| Plant City | Oxford |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | England |
| Plant State | United Kingdom |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | Cooper S |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Top Speed (MPH) | 146 |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 6 |
| Transmission Style | Manual/Standard |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WMWXU3C5*J2 |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 98.20 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 16 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 16 |
| Sample_VIN | WMWXU3C50J2B64608 |
Decode a MINI VIN
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