Free 2008 BMW 528i VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2008 BMW 528i VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2008 BMW 528i VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the initial three-character sequence in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which signifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, its nationality, and the type of vehicle it is. For the 2008 BMW 528i, the WMI is ‘WBA’, indicating that BMW AG, a company based in Munich, Germany, manufactured this passenger car. These codes are crucial for identifying vehicles accurately and are standardized globally. The WMI not only reveals the vehicle’s origin but also assists in tracking its history and specifications. This system is essential for legal, registration, and safety processes worldwide, ensuring every vehicle can be uniquely identified.

List of WMI Codes for a 2008 BMW 528i

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1997-2000, 2008-2016
• Example VIN: WBANU53508BY65059
• 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 2008 BMW 528i 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 2008 BMW 528i:

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 2008 BMW 528i 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 2008 BMW 528i VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2008 BMW 528i VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2008 BMW 528i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 BMW 528i

The final 6 characters in a 2008 BMW 528i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 2008 BMW 528i VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating the year 2008 and providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Plant Location: The manufacturing location can be identified through the VIN, such as the plant city Dingolfing and the plant country Germany.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN encodes basic specifications for a BMW 528i, including the model and series (5-Series), engine details such as displacement (3.0L or 182.8 cubic inches) and engine power (230 hp from a 6-cylinder engine).
• Body Class and Size: The VIN reveals the body class as a Sedan/Saloon and indicates it has 4 doors, offering insights into the vehicle’s size and type.
• Safety Features: Information about safety features, such as the presence of front airbags in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) type being direct, can be inferred from the VIN.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle is specified as gasoline, suggesting its efficiency and environmental considerations.
• Additional Safety Details: Other specific safety details, like the inclusion of a dual-stage supplementary restraint system (SRS) that meets the advanced airbag requirements of FMVSS 208, S14, could offer insights into the vehicle’s compliance with safety regulations.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 BMW 528i