- Characters 1-3 of a MINI VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a MINI
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a MINI VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a MINI VIN.
- 10th Character in the MINI VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the MINI VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known MINI Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a MINI
- How to find a MINI's VIN?
- What info can a MINI VIN reveal?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a MINI
How to decode a MINI VIN
Characters 1-3 of a MINI VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. Each code specifies the manufacturer’s name, the vehicle type, and often the manufacturing location. For example, the WMI WMW identifies vehicles made by BMW AG in Munich, Germany, specifically passenger cars produced between 2002 and 2024. Meanwhile, WMZ is also associated with BMW AG but points to Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPVs) manufactured in the same city from 2017 to 2024. These codes are essential for recognizing vehicle origins and types at a glance.
List of WMI Codes for a MINI
| WMI | Manufacturer Name | Vehicle Type | City | State or Province | Country | Model Years Covered | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WMW | BMW AG | Passenger Car | Munich | Germany | 2002-2024 | WMWML33508TJ45886 | |
| WMZ | BMW AG | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | Munich | Germany | 2017-2024 | WMZYT5C30H3B66643 |
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a MINI VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Below find the most popular vehicle descriptor codes for a MINI:
| 100 Most Common VDS for a MINI | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ML335 | MM335 | MM935 | MM3C5 | ML3C5 | MM9C5 | ZG9C5 | ZF3C5 | ZG3C5 | MH9C5 |
| LN5C5 | LN9C5 | LU1C5 | LN9C3 | LN5C3 | LU1C3 | LV9C5 | LV9C3 | LU5C5 | LU5C3 |
| JZ9C0 | XJ1C0 | LV7C0 | RC334 | RE334 | RC335 | RE335 | RE935 | RH335 | MF735 |
| MF335 | MF7C5 | MF3C5 | RF334 | RH334 | RF335 | MR335 | MS335 | MR3C5 | MS9C5 |
| MS3C5 | ZN3C5 | ZP3C5 | ZP9C5 | MR9C5 | WG9C5 | WG5C5 | WG9C3 | WH9C3 | WH9C5 |
| WG5C3 | WJ9C0 | WJ3C0 | WJ5C0 | 43DL0 | 63DL0 | 23DL0 | SX3C5 | SX5C5 | SX1C5 |
| SX9C5 | SY5C5 | SY1C5 | SY3C5 | SY9C5 | YT5C3 | YV5C3 | YT3C3 | YS7C3 | YU7C4 |
| YV9C3 | YT5C5 | YU7C5 | YS7C5 | YV9C5 | YT3C5 | YV5C5 | YX1C0 | YU7C0 | YZ9C0 |
| YW7C0 | YW3C0 | YW5C0 | 33BS0 | 53BR0 | 43BR0 | 23BR0 | 23BS0 | 83BR0 | ZC5C5 |
| ZB3C5 | ZC3C5 | XD1C5 | MF935 | MF9C5 | SU3C5 | SV3C5 | SV9C5 | SU9C5 | XM7C5 |
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 MINI 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 MINI VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| R | 2024 |
| P | 2023 |
| N | 2022 |
| M | 2021 |
| L | 2020 |
| K | 2019 |
| J | 2018 |
| H | 2017 |
| G | 2016 |
| F | 2015 |
| E | 2014 |
| D | 2013 |
| C | 2012 |
| B | 2011 |
| A | 2010 |
| 9 | 2009 |
| 8 | 2008 |
| 7 | 2007 |
| 6 | 2006 |
| 5 | 2005 |
| 4 | 2004 |
| 3 | 2003 |
| 2 | 2002 |
11th Character in the MINI VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known MINI Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Oxford | United Kingdom | England | WMWLN5C50G2B27770 | |
| 3 | Bom | Netherlands | WMWWG9C50G3A91278 | ||
| T | Oxford | United Kingdom | WMWML33508TJ45886 | ||
| W | Graz | Austria | WMWZC5C50BWH99104 | ||
| Y | Turin | Italy | WMWRE93536YB72036 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a MINI
The final 6 characters in a MINI’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a MINI’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your MINI is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your MINI. It’s commonly placed where the dashboard meets the windshield and can be seen from outside.
- Look at the driver’s side door jamb on your MINI. The VIN might be located on a sticker or plate where the door latches when closed.
- Check the engine block of your MINI. The VIN is often stamped onto the engine itself.
- Review the vehicle registration documents or insurance policy for your MINI, as these will always contain the VIN.
- Inspect underneath the spare tire in the trunk of your MINI; sometimes the VIN is located there on a sticker.
- For older MINI models, check the front of the car frame, near the windshield washer fluid container.
What info can a MINI 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 Doors: A VIN can specify the body class, such as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV). This information helps in understanding the vehicle’s intended use and body style.
- Engine Type and Performance: The VIN can provide details about the engine, like a 3-cylinder with a displacement of 1.995 liters and 221 hp, offering insights into its performance capabilities.
- Fuel and Electrification Level: The presence of both primary electric and secondary gasoline fuel types, coupled with a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) electrification level, highlights the vehicle’s flexibility in fuel usage and environmental friendliness.
- Safety Features: Standard features such as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and airbags in multiple locations emphasize the vehicle’s focus on safety.
- Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): The inclusion of advanced systems like Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) as optional and others like Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) as standard illustrates the vehicle’s modern technological enhancements for safety and convenience.
- Manufacturing Origin: Information on the plant city (Born) and plant country (Netherlands) tells us about the manufacturing origin, which can be a factor in assessing the vehicle’s build quality and market value.
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Decode a MINI VIN
Don’t have your MINI’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a MINI
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Optional |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Base Price ($) | 37900.00 |
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Curtain Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 1995.9443952 |
| Displacement (CI) | 121.8 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.9959443952 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electrification Level | PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 221 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 3 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Electric |
| Fuel Type - Secondary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | Countryman |
| Model Year | 2021 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 2 |
| Number of Seats | 5 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Seat Belt: All Positions / Front: Pretensioner / Front/Rear: Head Inflatable Restraint - Rear Outboard Driver-side & Rear Outboard Passenger-side |
| Parking Assist | Optional |
| Plant City | Born |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Netherlands |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | Cooper SE ALL4 |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 6 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WMZ23BS0*M3 |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 105.10 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 18 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 18 |
| Sample_VIN | WMZ23BS00M3M31483 |
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