- Characters 1-3 of a BMW VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a BMW
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a BMW VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a BMW VIN.
- 10th Character in the BMW VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the BMW VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known BMW Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW
- How to find a BMW's VIN?
- What info can a BMW VIN reveal?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW
How to decode a BMW VIN
Characters 1-3 of a BMW VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a vital aspect of vehicle identification numbers (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer, vehicle type, and the country of manufacture. For BMW, multiple WMI codes highlight the diverse range of vehicles produced by the company and its branches. For instance, codes like ‘WBA’ and ‘WBS’ represent BMW AG and BMW M GmbH passenger cars manufactured in Munich, Germany, spanning years from 1981 to 2025. In contrast, ‘4US’ and ‘5UX’ indicate vehicles made by BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America in Greer, South Carolina, U.S.A., covering both passenger cars and multipurpose vehicles (MPV). This exemplifies the global footprint of BMW manufacturing and the specific categorization utilized to discern between various types of vehicles and manufacturing locations within BMW’s extensive portfolio.
List of WMI Codes for a BMW
| WMI | Manufacturer Name | Vehicle Type | City | State or Province | Country | Model Years Covered | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBA | BMW AG | Passenger Car | Munich | Germany | 1981-2025 | WBAUN13508VH79950 | |
| WBS | BMW M GmbH | Passenger Car | Munich | Germany | 1988, 1994-2025 | WBSUR9C50BVP75934 | |
| 3MW | BMW AG | Passenger Car | Munich | Germany | 2019-2024 | 3MW23CM00N8C16436 | |
| 4US | BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America | Passenger Car | Greer | South Carolina | United States | 1995-2000, 2002-2008 | 4USCC7327SLA00196 |
| WBY | BMW AG | Passenger Car | Munich | Germany | 2014-2024 | WBY1Z4C50EV272730 | |
| WB5 | BMW AG | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Munich | Germany | 2022-2025 | WB523CF00NCJ17474 | |
| 3MF | BMW AG | Passenger Car | Munich | Germany | 2023-2024 | 3MF13DM00P8C90833 | |
| WBX | BMW AG | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Munich | Germany | 2004-2010, 2016-2024 | WBXHT3C30G5E47089 | |
| 5UX | BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Greer | South Carolina | United States | 2002-2024 | 5UXWX7C50BL730027 |
| 5YM | BMW Manufacturer Corporation / BMW North America | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Greer | South Carolina | United States | 2010-2024 | 5YMTS0C00L9B03447 |
| 5UM | BMW AG | Passenger Car | Munich | Germany | 2002, 2006-2008 | 5UMCN93412LK61104 |
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a BMW VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the most popular vehicle descriptor codes for a BMW:
| 100 Most Common VDS for a BMW | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UN135 | UL735 | UP935 | UP735 | UP7C5 | UN1C5 | UP9C5 | UL7C5 | UN935 | UC735 |
| UN9C5 | UC7C5 | UC9C5 | UN7C5 | UR9C5 | 1F5C5 | 1K7C5 | 1F9C5 | 1G9C5 | 1K5C5 |
| 1F7C5 | 1K9C5 | 1L9C5 | 53AK0 | 73AK0 | 2F9C3 | 2H9C3 | 2M9C3 | 2M9C5 | 2H9C5 |
| 2K9C3 | 2F9C5 | 2K9C5 | 2J1C5 | 2K1C5 | 2M7C5 | 2J3C5 | 2J3C0 | 2M7C0 | 2K1C0 |
| 2J1C0 | 23CM0 | 33CM0 | AK740 | AK840 | AJ931 | CA531 | BF331 | CC732 | CA532 |
| CD732 | CD832 | CC932 | CC032 | BA731 | BB131 | BK532 | BH832 | BH732 | AF931 |
| BE531 | BE532 | BE832 | CG632 | CG532 | CG832 | CG733 | CG833 | CG732 | AG330 |
| AG430 | 3C3C5 | 3B1C5 | 3B1G5 | 3C3G5 | 8A3C5 | 8E1G5 | 8A9C5 | 8E5G5 | 8A9C3 |
| 8E1G3 | 8A3C3 | 8E5G3 | AM333 | AM334 | AN334 | BK832 | BK732 | BK833 | BJ833 |
| BK733 | BJ832 | BJ733 | BF833 | BF733 | AE540 | AE640 | AB540 | AB640 | BR334 |
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 BMW 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 BMW VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| S | 2025 |
| R | 2024 |
| P | 2023 |
| N | 2022 |
| M | 2021 |
| L | 2020 |
| K | 2019 |
| J | 2018 |
| H | 2017 |
| G | 2016 |
| F | 2015 |
| E | 2014 |
| D | 2013 |
| C | 2012 |
| B | 2011 |
| A | 2010 |
| 9 | 2009 |
| 8 | 2008 |
| 7 | 2007 |
| 6 | 2006 |
| 5 | 2005 |
| 4 | 2004 |
| 3 | 2003 |
| 2 | 2002 |
| 1 | 2001 |
| Y | 2000 |
| X | 1999 |
| W | 1998 |
| V | 1997 |
| T | 1996 |
| S | 1995 |
| R | 1994 |
| P | 1993 |
| N | 1992 |
| M | 1991 |
| L | 1990 |
| K | 1989 |
| J | 1988 |
| H | 1987 |
| G | 1986 |
| F | 1985 |
| E | 1984 |
| D | 1983 |
| C | 1982 |
| B | 1981 |
11th Character in the BMW VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known BMW Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAAE5407G0985983 | ||
| 1 | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAAE5401G1506581 | ||
| 2 | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAAD2301H2445683 | ||
| 3 | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAAA2309H3112571 | ||
| 4 | Munich Or Dingolfing | Germany | WBAAA2300K4257113 | ||
| 5 | Regensburg | Germany | WBA3B1C50F5A05621 | ||
| 6 | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAEB8405D6996145 | ||
| 7 | Leipzig | Germany | WBA53AK00M7H00078 | ||
| 8 | San Luis Potosi | Mexico | 3MW23CM00N8C16436 | ||
| 9 | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAAG3300D9000513 | ||
| A | Munich | Germany | WBACG6321SAM70797 | ||
| B | Dingolfing | Germany | WBA8Z9C50JB219693 | ||
| C | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAAM3330XCA82725 | ||
| D | Dingolfing | Germany | WBA3B1C5XFD917353 | ||
| E | Regensburg | Germany | WBAAJ9311MEJ05386 | ||
| F | Munich | Germany | WBACA5319NFG00726 | ||
| G | Dingolfing | Germany | WBA8Z5C50FGS36044 | ||
| J | Regensburg | Germany | WBABE5314NJA02198 | ||
| K | Munich | Germany | WBACG7333XKC31691 | ||
| L | Greer | South Carolina | United States | 4USCC7327SLA00196 | |
| N | Rosslyn | South Africa | WBAUN1C55DNR01726 | ||
| P | Regensburg | Germany | WBA3B1C50EP678649 | ||
| V | Leipzig | Germany | WBAUN13508VH79950 | ||
| W | Graz | Austria | WBAJA9C00LWD30949 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW
The final 6 characters in a BMW’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?
How to find a BMW’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your BMW is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- On the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side, your BMW’s VIN is beautifully displayed, ready for you to spot from outside the vehicle.
- Peeking inside the door frame or the doorpost of the driver’s side - precisely where the door latches when closed - might reveal the VIN of your BMW, subtly placed on a sticker or plate.
- For a hidden gem, the front engine block is another place where your BMW’s VIN might be stamped, offering a clue into the heart of your vehicle.
- Consider looking at the rear wheel well; by slightly moving the tire aside, you could spot the VIN engraved on the body of your BMW, a testament to its unique identity.
What info can a BMW VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can uncover the vehicle’s model year, which might be listed as the year 2021, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Size: Through the VIN, one can learn the body class and size, possibly indicating if a vehicle is a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with specifics such as the number of doors being 4, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Engine Specifications: It could reveal detailed engine specifics like the engine possibly having 8 cylinders, a displacement of approximately 4.395 liters (268.2 cubic inches), and horsepower ranging between 600 to 617, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance and power capabilities.
- Safety Features: A VIN might possibly indicate a rich array of safety features, from standard Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) to advanced systems like Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), with airbags located in the 1st and 2nd rows, potentially enhancing the understanding of the vehicle’s safety capabilities.
- Fuel Type and Efficiency: It could specify the primary fuel type the vehicle possibly uses, for example, Gasoline, which can be crucial for understanding the fuel efficiency and environmental impact, providing insights into the vehicle’s environmental footprint.
- Drive Type and Transmission: Information on whether the vehicle possibly has All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and the type of transmission, such as an 8-speed automatic, could be decoded from the VIN, potentially aiding in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and performance.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN may provide insights into the manufacturing location, which could possibly be in the United States, in a plant located in Greer, South Carolina, adding an additional layer of detail such as the vehicle’s compliance with specific standards of the manufacturing country.
Decode a BMW VIN
Don’t have your BMW’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Optional |
| Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) | Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Base Price ($) | 108600.00 |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 4395.0105648 |
| Displacement (CI) | 268.2 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.3950105648 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 600 |
| Engine Brake (hp) To | 617 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Event Data Recorder (EDR) | Standard |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Lane Centering Assistance | Standard |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Standard |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Optional |
| Model | X6 |
| Model Year | 2021 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Engine Info | M: 600hp / M Comp: 617hp |
| Other Restraint System Info | Seat Belt: All Positions / Front/Rear: Pretensioners & Front/Rear: Side Air bags & Head Inflatable Restraint: Rear Outboard Driver-side & Rear Outboard Passenger-side |
| Parking Assist | Standard |
| Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) | Standard |
| Plant City | Greer |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | South Carolina |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 8 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Trim | M / M Comp |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 5YMCY0C0*M9 |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 117.00 |
| Wheel Base (inches) To | 117.10 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 21 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 21 |
| Sample_VIN | 5YMCY0C00M9D77344 |
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