Free 2018 BMW 230i VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2018 BMW 230i VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2018 BMW 230i VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). It forms the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), providing key details about the manufacturing origins of a vehicle. For a 2018 BMW 230i, the WMI code is “WBA”, indicating that the car is manufactured by BMW AG, located in Munich, Germany. This identifier not only confirms that the vehicle is a passenger car but also assures potential owners of its authenticity and manufacturing standards rooted in one of the automotive world’s most prestigious locales. Understanding the WMI can offer invaluable insight into a car’s heritage and manufacturing quality.

List of WMI Codes for a 2018 BMW 230i

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 2017-2021
• Example VIN: WBA2J1C52JND09606
• 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 2018 BMW 230i 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 2018 BMW 230i:

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 2018 BMW 230i 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 2018 BMW 230i VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2018 BMW 230i VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2018 BMW 230i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2018 BMW 230i

The final 6 characters in a 2018 BMW 230i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your BMW 230i’s VIN below:

What info can a 2018 BMW 230i VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2018, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Size: A VIN can specify the body class and size, for instance, it could indicate that the vehicle is a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Drive Type and Engine Details: Details such as the drive type being AWD/All-Wheel Drive and engine specifications including a 4-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower can be discovered, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s performance and capabilities.
• Safety Features: Standard and optional safety features are identifiable, showing that Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and a backup camera come standard, whereas Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) may be optional, which can offer insights into the vehicle’s safety technology.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: Information regarding the primary fuel type used by the vehicle, which in this case is gasoline, can be possibly extracted from the VIN, providing clarity on the type of fuel it requires.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN can possibly unveil manufacturing specifics such as the plant city being Leipzig in Germany, adding to the understanding of the vehicle’s origin and production location.
• Pricing Information: It may also provide insights into the vehicle’s base price, which could be listed as $43,100 for certain models, offering potential insights into the vehicle’s market value.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2018 BMW 230i