Free BMW M240i VIN Decoder

How to decode a BMW M240i VIN

Characters 1-3 of a BMW M240i VIN

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) are unique codes used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing insights into where and by whom a car was made. For the BMW M240i, the relevant WMIs, WBA for model years 2017 through 2021 and 3MW for model years 2022 through 2024, indicate that these cars are produced by BMW AG in Munich, Germany. These codes are essential for recognizing the specific manufacturer and vehicle type, in this case, a passenger car. The transition between WMI codes from WBA to 3MW reflects changes in BMW’s coding system or model updates over different years. Understanding a vehicle’s WMI is crucial for precise identification, ensuring compatibility of parts and services.

List of WMI Codes for a BMW M240i

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 2017-2021
• Example VIN: WBA2L1C50HV666252
• Manufacturer Name: BMW AG
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Munich
• State or Province:
• Country: Germany

WMI: 3MW

• Model Years Covered: 2022-2024
• Example VIN: 3MW53CM00N8C16207
• 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 M240i 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 M240i:

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 M240i 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 M240i VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the BMW M240i VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known BMW M240i Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a BMW M240i

The final 6 characters in a BMW M240i’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a BMW M240i VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2021, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Type: A VIN can provide insights into the vehicle’s body class and type, for instance, indicating that a car is a Convertible/Cabriolet, which offers detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including its displacement in liters (2.997), number of cylinders (6), and horsepower (335 hp), can typically be decoded, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type a vehicle uses, such as gasoline, is usually encoded within the VIN, offering an understanding of the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: Standard safety features, including Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and airbag locations (e.g., 1st Row Driver and Passenger), can be inferred from the VIN, potentially indicating the level of safety equipment present in the vehicle.
• Drive Type and Transmission: Information about the vehicle’s drive type, for example, Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD), and transmission details like an 8-speed automatic, are often encoded in the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
• Manufacturing Details: The VIN may offer insights into manufacturing details, including the plant city and country, signifying where the vehicle was produced, such as Leipzig, Germany, which can provide historical and geographical context about the vehicle.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a BMW M240i