Free 1987 BMW 535i/535is VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1987 BMW 535i/535is VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1987 BMW 535i/535is VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of three letters or numbers that identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. They form the initial portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is a 17-character code used worldwide to distinguish individual motor vehicles. For the 1987 BMW 535i-535is, the WMI indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by BMW AG, based in Munich, Germany, during the model years 1986 to 1988. This WMI code is essential for identifying the vehicle’s manufacturing origins and is used for registration, insurance, and vehicle recall purposes. It offers a standardized method to track vehicles globally, ensuring each one has a unique identifier.

List of WMI Codes for a 1987 BMW 535i/535is

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 1986-1988
• Example VIN: WBADC7402H1715473
• 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 1987 BMW 535i/535is 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 1987 BMW 535i/535is:

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 1987 BMW 535i/535is 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 1987 BMW 535i/535is VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1987 BMW 535i/535is VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1987 BMW 535i/535is Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 BMW 535i/535is

The final 6 characters in a 1987 BMW 535i/535is’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your BMW 535i/535is’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1987 BMW 535i/535is VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as the year 1987, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN can identify the vehicle’s production site, pointing to Dingolfing, Germany, which may influence the vehicle’s availability and certain design characteristics unique to that region’s manufacturing practices.
• Vehicle Specifications: A VIN decode can reveal detailed vehicle specifications, including that it is a 535i/535is model from the BMW-AG’s 5-Series, indicating not only the make and model but also the series to which the vehicle belongs.
• Engine Details: Information on the engine, such as its manufacturer (BMW-AG), displacement (3.42 L), horsepower (182 hp), and the number of cylinders (6), can be decoded. This gives a clear picture of the vehicle’s performance capabilities and potential fuel efficiency.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, in this instance, gasoline, is specified, which is vital for understanding the vehicle’s environmental impact and fuel consumption.
• Body Class and Size: The VIN elucidates the vehicle as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, which helps potential buyers or owners understand the vehicle’s size, style, and general use case (family, business, luxury, etc.).
• Safety Features: While the VIN specifies the seat belt type as manual, it suggests the degree of safety features that might be available or standard for vehicles of that model year and type, hinting at the level of protection provided to occupants.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 BMW 535i/535is

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