BMW VIN Decoder: Detailed BMW vehicle history report. All in one place!

What is an BMW VIN?

The BMW chassis number (VIN number) is a unique code of 17 numbers and digits of every car that has left the factory. It can give the owner or potential buyer a lot of valuable information from the equipment specification to the entire history of the vehicle.

Decoding the VIN number is the first step when buying a used car. Since it follows the vehicle from "birth to death", the chassis number cannot be changed like license plates.

What does the BMW chassis number contain?

The BMW chassis number is divided into 3 sections. Each part provides information on vehicle characteristics, production location and serial number.

Section 1: World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

This section provides information on the manufacturer's country, car brand and production division. Depending on the country of manufacture and other elements, the WIM may differ.

WMI	Country
DAA	BMW Egypt
LBV	BMW Brilliance China
MMF	BMW Thailand
PM1	BMW Malaysia
WBA	BMW car
WBS	BMW M
WBX	BMW SUV
WBY	BMW i
WB1	BMW Motorrad Motorcycle
WB3	BMW Motorrad Motorcycle made in India
WB4	BMW Motorrad Motorscooters made in China
WB5	BMW i SUV
X4X	BMW Avtotor Russia
3MW	BMW Mexico
4US	BMW car USA
5UM	BMW M USA
5UX	BMW SUV USA
5YM	BMW M SUV USA
95V	BMW motorcycles assembled by Dafra Motos 2009-2016 Brazil
98M	BMW car/SUV Brazil
99Z	BMW Motorrad Motorcycle assembled by BMW 2017-

If the VIN number begins with the letter L, the vehicle was manufactured in China. If the first character is W, BMW is of German origin, 4 – USA, 9 – Brazil.

Section 2: Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

The fourth character refers to the model line. The designation "A" is for all models of the 3 series, the fifth one more closely determines the model 318 or 325. The sixth character determines the type of body, and the seventh one the type of vehicle. So "3" is used for passenger vehicles. The eighth digit indicates security systems.

Section 3: Vehicle Identification Section (VIS)

This section starts with 9 which is a check digit. Character 10 is the height of the model. The letters “O” and “K” are not used in VIN numbers. If the BMW is a 2023 model, the tenth character is “P”. A BMW made in Munich in the 11th position will have an “A”, “F” or “K” designation, and if it was built in South Carolina it will have an “L” designation. Other signs are the vehicle serial number.

Where can I find the BMW VIN?

Here is a list of locations where you can find the BMW chassis number on your car:

1. Stand next to the driver's door and look at the lower right corner of the windshield. You should see the VIN printed there.
2. Look at the B pillar of the body when you open the driver's door. There you should see a black sticker on the side or front of the pole.
3. Under the hood, you can find a plate with the chassis number etched into the vehicle's body.
4. Vehicle documentation (driving license, insurance policy)
5. Move the passenger seat back and lift the small cover on the carpet. Underneath is the stamped chassis number.

The BMW VIN number is most often in the form: WBAFW11050DY61239

Which BMW models can be checked using the VIN decoder?

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG or BMW for short is a German multinational car and motorcycle manufacturer based in Munich. The company was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, to produce the first motorcycle "BMW R 32" in 1923, and the first car "BMW 3/15" better known as "Dixi" in 1928. Then the company increased its offer to larger luxury and sports models. Today, the BMW company includes Mini and Rolls-Royce.

The application of the VIN number in the automotive industry has been widely used for vehicle identification since the 1980s.

Models that can be checked using our free BMW chassis number decoder are:

Compact models: Series 1, Series 2

Limousines and station wagons: Series 3, Series 5, Series 6, Series 7, M3, M5

Coupes: Series 4, M4

SUV: X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, X3 M, X4 M, X5 M, X6 M, X7 M

Electric: i4, i7, iX1, iX3, iX

Sports: Series 8, M8

What can I find out by checking the BMW VIN?

Car manufacturers, police, insurance and other institutions use the identification number to record key events and data about a BMW vehicle. By checking the VIN, you reduce the risk of buying a bad used car. Our BMW vehicle history report provides you with the following useful information:

Reporting a stolen vehicle. If the vehicle is stolen and the police are looking for it, this information will be available to you in the report.

Accident and damage history. Sellers often hide this information or are not even aware that the car had it with the previous owner. So check this information before buying.

Service history. If the car has been serviced regularly, data such as mileage, oil change and other work, as well as the service centers where the service was performed, are available.

Photos of the vehicle. By checking the history of the vehicle, you can see photos of vehicles from auctions, expertise of authorized certification houses, which are very useful to assess the condition of the vehicle before sale.

Vehicle recall information. Very often, car manufacturers announce recalls and withdraw series of cars to fix certain manufacturing or safety defects.

Mileage records. Here you can see the actual mileage, as well as whether the mileage is fake or fraud in the past.

The high demand for Volkswagen vehicle models increases the risk of buying a car with manipulated mileage or hidden defects. Using our Volkswagen decoder allows you to check and buy a reliable car.

How to create a used vehicle history report by chassis number (VIN)?

All you need to do is enter the 17-digit VIN number in the "Enter VIN" field and click the Search button. After a few seconds, VIN Decoder will provide a free VIN check and some basic information. This info should be enough to check whether the VIN is valid or not.

To create a complete report about the vehicle, such as mileage records, odometer fraud, estimate mileage, accidents and damages, theft check, market value, and previous images, you should download a VinCheckExpert vehicle history report.

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