BMW VIN Decoder
BMW builds cars in Munich and elsewhere in Germany, and has built its X-series SUVs in Spartanburg, South Carolina since the late 1990s.
Built before 1981?
Can I decode a BMW VIN from before 1981?
Not yet. A BMW built before 1981 used a shorter, manufacturer-specific number rather than the 17-character standard, and our classic decoder does not cover BMW so far. Every VIN searched there is recorded, and the makes people look up most are the ones we add next.
Try the classic decoder
Classic BMW VINs
Not yet
Every VIN searched is recorded, and the makes people look up most are added next.
Reading a BMW VIN
What do the first three characters of a BMW VIN mean?
A BMW VIN can start with a W or a 5. German-built cars typically begin WBA, M models have used WBS, and SUVs built in South Carolina begin 5UX. The first character is the country of manufacture, not the brand’s home.
The 17 positionsWBA …
W1B2A3·4·5·6·7·8·9·10·11·12·13·14·15·16·17
ManufacturerVehicle detailsCheckYearPlantSerial number
- 1–3Manufacturer
- 4–8Vehicle details
- 9Check digit
- 10Model year
- 11Plant
- 12–17Serial number
Other makes
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Want to keep this VIN?
Save it to your free garage and check later whether the car is still on the road.