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Mini VIN Decoder

The original Mini launched in 1959 and became a British icon. BMW relaunched the brand in 2001, building cars in Oxford.

Built before 1981?

Can I decode a Mini VIN from before 1981?

Not yet. A Mini built before 1981 used a shorter, manufacturer-specific number rather than the 17-character standard, and our classic decoder does not cover Mini so far. Every VIN searched there is recorded, and the makes people look up most are the ones we add next.

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Classic Mini VINs Not yet Every VIN searched is recorded, and the makes people look up most are added next.
Reading a Mini VIN

What do the first three characters of a Mini VIN mean?

Modern Minis begin WMW, a German code, even though most are built in England. The first character reflects the manufacturer that registered the code, which here is BMW, rather than the plant’s location.

What each of the 17 positions means

The 17 positionsWMW …
  • 1–3Manufacturer
  • 4–8Vehicle details
  • 9Check digit
  • 10Model year
  • 11Plant
  • 12–17Serial number
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