Free 2016 BMW Z4 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 2016 BMW Z4 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2016 BMW Z4 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, providing insights into where the car was made, by whom, and its type. For instance, BMW AG, the renowned automobile manufacturer based in Munich, Germany, uses the WMI “WBA” for its range of passenger cars, including models from the year 2016. Within the series of digits and characters that compose a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the WMI serves as the initial segment, indicating the vehicle’s manufacturing identity. Specifically, vehicles like the 2016 BMW Z4 are encoded with this WMI, signifying their production under the BMW brand. The WMI is a critical component of vehicle identification, offering a standardized method to track and identify vehicles globally.

List of WMI Codes for a 2016 BMW Z4

WMI: WBA

• Model Years Covered: 2009-2016, 2019-2022, 2024
• Example VIN: WBALM7C50G5B59924
• 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 2016 BMW Z4 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 2016 BMW Z4:

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 2016 BMW Z4 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 2016 BMW Z4 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 2016 BMW Z4 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2016 BMW Z4 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2016 BMW Z4

The final 6 characters in a 2016 BMW Z4’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 2016 BMW Z4 VIN reveal?

• Model Year and Make: The VIN can provide insights into the model year, such as the year 2016, and the make, like a BMW Z4, which may give an understanding of the vehicle’s age and brand.
• Body Class and Size: A VIN may offer details about the body class and size, potentially revealing the vehicle as a Roadster with 2 doors, providing valuable information on its design and dimensions.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN might disclose engine specifications like a 2.0L displacement, 241 horsepower, and a 4-cylinder engine, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Fuel Type: It’s possible to determine the primary fuel type a vehicle uses, such as gasoline, which can help assess fuel efficiency and environmental impact based on the type of fuel utilized.
• Safety Features: The VIN can provide insights into safety features, potentially indicating the presence of various airbags for both driver and passenger, seat belt types, and tire pressure monitoring systems, contributing to an understanding of the vehicle’s safety attributes.
• Manufacturing Details: Specific manufacturing details, like the plant city and country, for instance, Regensburg, Germany, can be discovered from a VIN, offering clues about the vehicle’s origin and production standards.
• Weight Class: By decoding a VIN, information about the vehicle’s weight class can be derived, potentially identifying it as Class 1 with a GVWR of 6,000 lb or less, indicating its size and potential usage.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2016 BMW Z4