Free 1981 BMW 320i VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1981 BMW 320i VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1981 BMW 320i VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code inherited in a vehicle’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) that specifies the manufacturer of the vehicle, its country of origin, and sometimes additional details about the vehicle type or manufacturing division. The 1981 BMW 320i, a passenger car produced by BMW AG, carries the WMI “WBA”, which identifies it as a vehicle made by BMW in Germany. Specifically, the “W” stands for Germany, the “B” represents BMW, and the “A” indicates a passenger car. This coding system is crucial for vehicle tracking, registration, and in identifying specific characteristics of the vehicle based on its manufacturer and country of production. The WMI is the first step in decoding a VIN, providing a fast way to acknowledge a car’s heritage, such as the 1981 BMW 320i’s roots in Munich, Germany.

List of WMI Codes for a 1981 BMW 320i

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1983, 2013-2018
• Example VIN: WBAAG3304B8000016
• 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 1981 BMW 320i 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 1981 BMW 320i:

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 1981 BMW 320i 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 1981 BMW 320i VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1981 BMW 320i VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1981 BMW 320i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 BMW 320i

The final 6 characters in a 1981 BMW 320i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1981 BMW 320i VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is from around the year 1981, suggesting an older model with potential historical significance.
• Vehicle Specifications: Basic information about the BMW 320i model, including the manufacturer being BMW-AG, can be revealed through the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s origins.
• Engine Details: The VIN encodes the engine’s displacement, providing approximate measurements in CC, CI, and L, possibly reflecting the engine size and potential performance.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is indicated as likely being Gasoline, suggesting its fuel compatibility and potentially its fuel efficiency.
• Manufacturing Information: The VIN may disclose manufacturing details, such as the vehicle being assembled in Munich, Germany, hinting at the vehicle’s origin and production location.
• Safety Features: The VIN might offer information on the vehicle’s safety equipment, possibly including details about the type of seat belts installed, which in this case are identified as Manual seat belt type.
• Body Class and Size: The VIN can possibly unveil the vehicle’s body class and size, categorizing this model as a Sedan/Saloon with 2 doors, potentially shedding light on its design and purpose.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 BMW 320i