Free BMW VIN Decoder
Decode any BMW VIN into its factory build sheet — model year, trim, engine, transmission, drivetrain and assembly plant — from official NHTSA vPIC data.
Enter any BMW VIN below. A BMW VIN starts with W (built in Germany), under the World Manufacturer Identifier system defined in 49 CFR 565. The decoder returns the exact model year, trim, engine, drivetrain and assembly plant, plus open NHTSA recalls and crash-test ratings for the vehicle — free, unlimited, no registration.
What each VIN position means on a BMW
Every vehicle sold in the United States since 1981 carries a 17-character VIN under federal standard 49 CFR 565 (international standard ISO 3779). The letters I, O and Q are never used, to avoid confusion with the digits 1 and 0.
| Positions 1–3 | World Manufacturer Identifier. Position 1 identifies the country of assembly. On a BMW it is W (built in Germany). Positions 2–3 identify the manufacturer and vehicle type — 18 WMI codes are registered to BMW (full table below). |
|---|---|
| Positions 4–8 | Vehicle Descriptor Section. Model, body style, engine, restraint system and transmission, as coded by the manufacturer. |
| Position 9 | Check digit. A number (0–9) or X, computed from the other 16 characters with a weighted modulus-11 formula. It detects typos and tampering — validate one here. |
| Position 10 | Model year code. A repeating 30-year cycle (Y = 2000, 1 = 2001, …). |
| Position 11 | Assembly plant. Manufacturer-assigned plant code. |
| Positions 12–17 | Serial number. Unique production sequence of the vehicle. |
Position meanings 4–8 are manufacturer-specific. Decoding the VIN returns the exact decoded values — see our data sources.
WMI codes registered to BMW
18 World Manufacturer Identifier codes are registered to BMW in the NHTSA vPIC database. The first three characters of every BMW VIN match one of these codes; each identifies the corporate entity and country of the plant that built the vehicle.
| WMI | Registered entity | Country | Vehicle type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3MF | BMW AG | GERMANY | Passenger Car |
| 3MW | BMW AG | GERMANY | Passenger Car |
| 5UM | BMW AG | GERMANY | Passenger Car |
| WAP | BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC | GERMANY | Passenger Car |
| WB1 | BMW AG MOTORCYCLES | GERMANY | Motorcycle |
| WB3 | BMW AG MOTORCYCLES | GERMANY | Motorcycle |
| WB4 | BMW AG MOTORCYCLES | GERMANY | Motorcycle |
| WB5 | BMW AG | GERMANY | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
| WBA | BMW AG | GERMANY | Passenger Car |
| WBS | BMW M GMBH | GERMANY | Passenger Car |
| WBX | BMW AG | GERMANY | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
| WBY | BMW AG | GERMANY | Passenger Car |
All BMW WMI codes (6 more)
| WMI | Registered entity | Country | Vehicle type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WMW | BMW AG | GERMANY | Passenger Car |
| WMZ | BMW AG | GERMANY | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
| WZ1 | BMW AG | GERMANY | Passenger Car |
| 4US | BMW MANUFACTURER CORPORATION / BMW NORTH AMERICA | UNITED STATES (USA) | Passenger Car |
| 5UX | BMW MANUFACTURER CORPORATION / BMW NORTH AMERICA | UNITED STATES (USA) | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
| 5YM | BMW MANUFACTURER CORPORATION / BMW NORTH AMERICA | UNITED STATES (USA) | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
Where to find your BMW VIN
- Driver-side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside.
- Driver-side door jamb sticker.
- Vehicle title, registration and insurance card.
Decode a specific BMW model
Frequently asked questions
How do I decode a BMW VIN?
Enter the 17-character VIN in the decoder above. Positions 1–3 identify the country and manufacturer, 4–8 the vehicle attributes, 9 is a check digit, 10 the model year, 11 the plant and 12–17 the serial number. You get the decoded build sheet, open recalls and crash-test ratings instantly.
What does a BMW VIN start with?
A BMW VIN starts with W (built in Germany), under the World Manufacturer Identifier system defined in 49 CFR 565.
Is the BMW VIN decoder really free?
Yes. VinSpecs decodes unlimited BMW VINs for free using the official NHTSA vPIC database — no registration, no payment, no lookup limits.
Where is the VIN on a BMW?
Driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield), driver-side door jamb sticker, or the title and registration documents.
Source: NHTSA vPIC. VinSpecs is an independent service, not affiliated with BMW or any government agency.