BMW VIN Decoder
A BMW VIN decoder allows you to look up options, models, years, engines, transmissions, and specifications.
Also, you can check the title records and accidents by clicking Check History. To check what engine, transmission, and options are installed on your vehicle, use the free BMW VIN Decoder Tool.
How to decode BMW VIN
Position 1 – Country
The first position in the VIN shows the country where the BMW was assembled. This is W for Germany. If your BMW were manufactured in the US, your BMW VIN would start with 5.
- W- Germany
- 5 – USA
Position 2 – Manufacturer
This number tells you about the manufacturer of your car.
- B – BMW manufactured in Germany
- U or Y – BMW manufactured in the US.
Position 3 – Division
It provides information on the division. If the manufacturer has multiple divisions, this number helps pinpoint which one produced your car. BMW VIN will typically have X or A.
Position 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 VDS
Codes for BMW engine, transmission, and vehicle specs.
Position 9 – Check Number
This is used to verify if the VIN is valid. A formula developed by the DOT generates this number.
Position 10 – Year of Production
| A | 1980 | L | 1990 | Y | 2000 | A | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B | 1981 | M | 1991 | 1 | 2001 | B | 2011 |
| C | 1982 | N | 1992 | 2 | 2002 | C | 2012 |
| D | 1983 | P | 1993 | 3 | 2003 | D | 2013 |
| E | 1984 | R | 1994 | 4 | 2004 | E | 2014 |
| F | 1985 | S | 1995 | 5 | 2005 | F | 2015 |
| G | 1986 | T | 1996 | 6 | 2006 | G | 2016 |
| H | 1987 | V | 1997 | 7 | 2007 | H | 2017 |
| J | 1988 | W | 1998 | 8 | 2008 | J | 2018 |
| K | 1989 | X | 1999 | 9 | 2009 | K | 2019 |
Position 11 – Factory
This indicates the plant where the vehicle was assembled. BMW has its own specific codes as follows:
- A, F, K – Munich (Germany)
- B, C, D, G – Dingolfing (Germany),
- E, J, P – Regensburg (Germany)
- H, N – Rosslyn, South Africa
- L, M – Spartanburg (USA)
- R – Toluca Mexico
- S – Shenyang, China
- T – Oxford, England (Mini)
- U – Goodwood, UK (Rolls-Royce)
- V – Leipzig (Germany)
- W – Magna Steyr, Graz (Austria)
- X, Y, Z – Berlin Germany
Position 12 -17
Position twelve through seventeen shows the serial number of the car. Often indicates a sequence that helps the manufacturer when and where the car came off the assembly line. MAKE can choose any six-digit number they like, as this number is not standardized.
BMW VIN Number Location
BMW cars have the VIN stamped in several locations. Here is where you can find the VIN of your BMW.
- Lower left corner of the windshield.
- Stamped on the top of the front suspension strut housing.
- Rear trunk or by the wheel well.
- Engine bay
- Your title or registration.
BMW Models
- 1 -series
- 3-series
- 5-series
- 6-series
- 7-series
- 8-series
- C1
- X1
- X3
- X5
- X6
- Z1
- Z3
- Z4
- Z8
.
5. Example MAKE VIN Number
WBA1G9C56GV726239
Manufacturer: BMW AG
Vehicle Type: PASSENGER CAR
Model Year: 2016
Make: BMW
Model: 228i
Body Class: Coupe
Other Information
The information provided below is based on the details provided by the manufacturer of this vehicle to NHTSA in the part 565 submittal
Series: 2-series
Trim: xDrive SULEV-PZEV
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:
Drive Type:
Cylinders: 4
Primary Fuel Type: Gasoline
Engine Model:
Engine Brake (HP): 241
Engine Manufacturer:
Transmission Speed:
Transmission Style:
Engine Displacement (L): 2
Airbags:
- Front: 1st Row (Driver & Passenger)
- Knee: 1st Row (Driver & Passenger)
- Side: 1st Row (Driver & Passenger)
- Curtain: 1st & 2nd Rows
- Seat Cushion:
- Other Restraint Info: Pretensioners for Driver and Front Passenger.
6. Options and Feature Codes
Standard equipment
- S1CBA CO2 equipment (CO2 UMFANG)
- S2LPA BMW LA wheel Y-spoke 380 (17″ LM RAEDER Y-SPEICHE 380)
- S216A HYDRO STEERING-SERVOTRONIC (SERVOTRONIC)
- S249A Multifunction f steering wheel (MULTIFUNKTION FUER LENKRAD)
- S255 ASports leather steering wheel (SPORT-LEDERLENKRAD)
- S258 ATyres with runflat properties (BEREIFUNG MIT NOTLAUFEIGENSCHAFTEN)
- S4AEA Armrest front, retractable (ARMAUFLAGE VORNE VERSCHIEBBAR)
- S4NEA Blow-by heater (BLOW-BY-HEIZER)
- S5DSA Emergency release, luggage compartment (KOFFERRAUMNOTENTRIEGELUNG)
- S520A Fog lights (NEBELSCHEINWERFER)
- S544A Cruise control with brake function (GESCHWINDIGKEITSREGEL. MIT BREMSF.)
- S645A BMW US Radio (RADIO-STEUERUNG US)
- S663A Radio BMW Professional (RADIO BMW PROFESSIONAL)
- S823A Hot-climate version (HEISSLAND-AUSFUEHRUNG)
- S842A Cold-climate version (KALTLAND-AUSFUEHRUNG)
- S845A Acoustic fasten seat belt reminder (AKUSTISCHE GURTWARNUNG)
- S853A Language version, English (SPRACHVERSION ENGLISCH)
- S992A Control of number-plate attachment (STEUERUNG KENNZEICHENBEFESTIGUNG)
- S993A model year code in VIN (MODELLJAHRESCODE)
- Custom options
- Parameter Value
- S1CAA Selection of COP-relevant vehicles (SELEKTION COP RELEVANTER FAHRZEUGE)
- S2TBA Sport automatic gearbox (SPORT-AUTOMATIK GETRIEBE)
- S2VBA Tyre pressure display (REIFENDRUCKANZEIGE)
- S3DZA Omission of additional lettering, outer (ENTFALL ZUSATZ-SCHRIFTZUG AUSSEN)
- S302A Alarm system (ALARMANLAGE)
- S319A Integrated universal remote control (INTEGRIERTE UNIVERSAL-FERNBEDIENUNG)
- S322A Comfort access (KOMFORTZUGANG)
- S346A Chrome Line exterieur (CHROME LINE EXTERIEUR)
- S387A Wind deflector (WINDSCHUTZ)
- S4LVA black high-gloss accent korall-rot (INT.L.SCHW.HOCHGL.M.AKZENT.L. KORAL)
- S423A Floor mats velours (FUSSMATTEN IN VELOURS)
- S430A Interior/outside mirror with auto dip (INNEN-/AUSSENSPIEGEL AUT.ABBLENDEND)
- S431A Interior mirror with automatic-dip (INNENSPIEGEL,AUTOMATISCH ABBLENDEND)
- S441A Smoker package (RAUCHERPAKET)
- S459A Seat adjustment, electric, with memory (SITZVERSTELLUNG, ELEKTR.MIT MEMORY)
- S465A Through-loading system (DURCHLADESYSTEM)
- S481A Sports seat (SPORTSITZE FUER FAHRER/BEIFAHRER)
- S488A Lumbar support, driver and passenger (LORDOSENSTUETZE FAHRER/BEIFAHRER)
- S493A Storage compartment package (ABLAGENPAKET)
- S494A Seat heating driver/passenger (SITZHEIZUNG FUER FAHRER/BEIFAHRER)
- S521A Rain sensor (REGENSENSOR)
- S534A Automatic air conditioning (KLIMAAUTOMATIK)
- S563A Light package (LICHTPAKET)
- S6ACA Intelligent emergency call (INTELLIGENTER NOT RUF)
- S6AEA Teleservices (TELESERVICES)
- S6NHA Hands-free system with USB interface (FREISPRECHEIN. M. USB-SCHNITTSTELLE)
- S655A Satellite tuner (SATELLITENTUNER)
- S676A HiFi speaker system (HIFI LAUTSPRECHERSYSTEM)
- S697A Area-Code 1 for DVD (AREA-CODE 1)
- P7ACA Sport Line (SPORT LINE)
- S8KLA Oil service interval 15,000 km/12 months (OELWARTUNGSINT. 15.000KM/12MONATE)
- S8TNA Daytime driv.lights adjus.via light menu (TAGFAHRLICHT UEBER LICHTMENUE EINST)
- S9AAA Outer skin protection (AUSSENHAUTSCHUTZ)
- S925A Dummy-SALAPA (VERSANDSCHUTZPAKET)
We hope you find the BMW VIN Decoder guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your BMW.
