How to decode a BMW 530iT VIN
Characters 1-3 of a BMW 530iT VIN
The WMI, or World Manufacturer Identifier, is a distinctive code that uniquely identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. The first three characters of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) represent the WMI. For the BMW 530iT, the WMI is WBA, which stands for BMW AG, the renowned German automaker. This code is critical as it provides recognition not just of the brand but also the country of origin, which in the case of BMW is Germany. It’s the blueprint for understanding where the car’s journey began, setting the stage for the intricate details that follow in the rest of the VIN.
List of WMI Codes for a BMW 530iT
WMI: WBA
- Model Years Covered: 1994
- Example VIN: WBAHK2315RG143525
- 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 BMW 530iT 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 BMW 530iT:
| Known VDS for a BMW 530iT |
|---|
| HK231 |
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 530iT 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 530iT VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 1994 BMW 530iT |
11th Character in the BMW 530iT VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known BMW 530iT Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | Dingolfing | Germany | WBAHK2315RG143525 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW 530iT
The final 6 characters in a BMW 530iT’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a BMW 530iT’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your BMW 530iT is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Investigate the area where the dashboard meets the windshield on the driver’s side of your BMW 530iT; the VIN is usually displayed here, visible from outside the vehicle.
- Examine the door post (where the door latches when it is closed) on the driver’s side of your BMW 530iT for a label that may contain the VIN.
- Look at the engine block of your BMW 530iT, as the VIN can sometimes be found stamped onto the engine itself.
- Inspect the vehicle’s insurance or registration documents, as the VIN for your BMW 530iT will be listed there.
- Check the rear wheel well above the tire on the driver’s side for a sticker that could house the VIN on your BMW 530iT.
- Peer into the trunk under the spare tire, where a label or sticker may have the VIN for your BMW 530iT.
- Review the frame of the car between the carburetor and windshield washer, on older BMW 530iT models, for a stamped VIN.
What info can a BMW 530iT VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1983, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Location: The VIN may provide information on where the BMW 530iT was manufactured, possibly offering insight into the country or specific plant of production.
- Vehicle Type: The VIN can potentially indicate whether the BMW 530iT is classified as a passenger car, SUV, truck, or other vehicle type.
- Body Style: The VIN can give insight into the body style of the BMW 530iT, possibly indicating whether it is a sedan, coupe, wagon, or convertible.
- Engine Configuration: The VIN might provide details about the number of cylinders and displacement of the engine, giving an idea of the power and performance of the BMW 530iT.
- Fuel Type: The VIN may possibly indicate the primary fuel type used by the BMW 530iT, such as gasoline, diesel, or hybrid.
- Safety Features: Some safety features of the BMW 530iT might be revealed by the VIN, such as whether it has driver and passenger airbags or other restraint systems.
Don’t have your BMW 530iT’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW 530iT
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Wagon |
| Displacement (CC) | 3057.8261424 |
| Displacement (CI) | 186.6 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0578261424 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 215 |
| Engine Manufacturer | BMW-AG |
| Engine Model | 4-Value |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Model | 530i |
| Model Year | 1994 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Driver Supp.System(SRS) |
| Plant City | Dingolfing |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | 5-Series |
| Series2 | Touring Wagon |
| Trim | 530iT (Touring) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WBAHK231*RG |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WBAHK2315RG143525 |
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