A VIN is a unique car number consisting of 17 digits. It is defined by the international standard ISO 3779-1983 and consists of symbols that must identify the machine. The number encodes the car's make and model, its specifications, the year of manufacture, etc. You can uncover these essential details and much more with a free BMW VIN decoder from ClearVin.
Vehicle identification numbers were first introduced in 1954. Until then, there was no unified database of car license plates or another way to identify an automobile. This created problems in the process of recognizing vehicles that were stolen or involved in an accident. With the VIN implementation, the issue was solved.
Checking the vehicle history with a free BMW VIN decoder is useful when buying and selling a pre-owned car. By obtaining a comprehensive vehicle history report, you can make informed decisions on the used car market.
As a rule, vehicle identification numbers are applied to those parts of the body or chassis that are commonly not damaged in car accidents. Depending on the vehicle configuration, you can find the BMW VIN number
List of places where you can find the VIN in a car:
Front of the engine block
Driver’s side dashboard (viewable through the windshield)
Rear-wheel well (directly above the tire)
On the driver-side doorpost
Inside the driver-side door jamb
Underneath the spare tire
List of places where you can find the VIN on a motorcycle:
On the steering neck
On the motor near the bottom of the cylinders
You can also find the VIN on any documentation you have for the vehicle such as:
Vehicle title
Registration card
The Owner's manual
Insurance card/Insurance policy
Body shop records
The ISO standard regarding VINs does not limit the place for installing them. Car manufacturers are free to decide how and where to attach the plate with the code.
By using a free {make} VIN decoder from ClearVin, you can uncover many vehicle details that fraudulent car sellers may hide from potential buyers. You will find the following information in a vehicle history report:
Year, make, and model
Country of manufacture
Trim Level
Body style
Engine type
Tank size
City/highway mileage
Car Warranty
Turning Diameter
Electronic Parking Aid
Vehicle Anti-Theft System
Anti brake system
Front/rear brake type
Transmission
Wheel drive
Steering type
Suspension type
Spring type
Electronic Brake Assistance
Vehicle Stability Control
Heated Steering Wheel
Climate Controls
Front/rear track size
Airbag availability
Overall height/width/length
Tire type and size
All headroom/legroom/shoulder room dimensions
Loading capacity and cargo volume
Air Conditioning
Navigation Aid
Remote Ignition
Tire Pressure Monitor
With a free BMW VIN decoder, you can check the odometer reading, car accident and ownership histories, title status, insurance and lien records, theft records, if available, and much more. Take a look at a sample VIN history report that CleatVin provides its customers.
The easiest way to decode a BMW VIN is by using a VIN lookup service from a trusted VIN data provider. With more than 10 years of experience, ClearVin offers a comprehensive vehicle history report that is easy to read.
However, what's the BMW VIN structure? Let's take a look at how a 17-digit vehicle identification number is divided. The first three characters, or WMI (World Manufacturers Identifier), indicate the country and manufacturer for the purpose of identification. The first digit stands for a geographical area, the second for a country in that area, and the third for a specific manufacturer.
VDS stands for Vehicle Description Section. Characters 4 through 8 of the code indicate the type of vehicle and its characteristics: model, body and engine type, steering wheel position, power system and transmission type, drive, etc. Each car manufacturer has its own set of parameters and its own sequence. The 8th character indicates the type of engine, and the 9th character is a check digit that prevents VIN cloning or fraud.
VIS, or Vehicle Indicator Section, is the reference part of the identification number. The VIS part contains 8 characters and reveals information about the year of manufacture. The 10th character of the VIN code is the model year of the vehicle, but not all manufacturers indicate it. The letters U and Z (except for I, O, and Q) are also used to encode the model year. The 11th character is the vehicle assembly plant (each manufacturer has its own letter). The 12th to 17th character is usually the car's serial number.
By understanding the BMW VIN structure and using our VIN lookup service, you can easily reveal the vehicle's background.
You may have even more information in addition to the vehicle history report you have obtained after running the free BMW VIN decoder from ClearVin. A window sticker lookup is your go-to solution. Monroney labels are used for new cars, but they are often lost or thrown away. Sometimes, drivers need to obtain the details mentioned on window stickers. That is where our window sticker decoder can help.
Manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP)
Engine & Transmission Characteristics
Exterior & Interior Overview
Safety Features
Standard & Optional Equipment
Installed Features Costs
Fuel Consumption
NHTSA 5-star Safety Rating
Correct Trim
You will never lack vehicle information with us! Use our free BMW VIN decoder and run a window sticker lookup to be armed with all the relevant data.
Sign up today , free of cost, to enter as many VINs as you wish, and get instant reports.
Get more vehicle information in our full VIN check report. To see a sample report, click here.
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