Free 2002 BMW 525i VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2002 BMW 525i VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2002 BMW 525i VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, its brand, and the country of manufacture. For the 2002 BMW 525i, the WMI is “WBA”, indicating the car was produced by BMW AG in Germany, specifically in the city of Munich. This part of the VIN is essential for recognizing the vehicle’s manufacturing origin and aligns the car with BMW’s renowned standards of luxury and performance. Additionally, the WMI highlights the vehicle type as a passenger car, which is vital for classification and registration purposes. This code is a key to unlocking detailed information about the vehicle’s history and specifications direct from the manufacturer.

List of WMI Codes for a 2002 BMW 525i

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1988-1991, 1993-1995, 2001-2007
• Example VIN: WBADT43402GY40866
• 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 2002 BMW 525i 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 2002 BMW 525i:

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 2002 BMW 525i 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 2002 BMW 525i VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2002 BMW 525i VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2002 BMW 525i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2002 BMW 525i

The final 6 characters in a 2002 BMW 525i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 2002 BMW 525i VIN reveal?

• Model and Model Year: The VIN can reveal the model year, indicating the vehicle is potentially from 2002, giving insights into its age and market value.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN reveals that the vehicle likely has a 2.5-liter (152.2 cubic inches) engine with 6 cylinders, possibly manufactured by BMW-AG, capable of producing around 184 horsepower.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is gasoline, suggesting its engine’s possible compatibility and efficiency with this kind of fuel.
• Body Class and Doors: The VIN specifies the body class as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering details about the vehicle’s size and style.
• Safety Features: The VIN details safety features including the location of front airbags in the 1st row for both driver and passenger, and mentions a Dual-stage Advanced Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) for added safety.
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: It falls under Class 1, specifying that the vehicle’s weight rating is 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), which can be important for understanding vehicle classification and possible usage restrictions.
• Manufacturing Details: The vehicle was manufactured in Dingolfing, Germany, providing insight into the origin of assembly which might affect parts availability and overall vehicle quality.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2002 BMW 525i

Source