Most BMW 325iS VINs open with WBA (Germany, 1992–1995). Position 11, the plant, reads E; a 1995 325iS carries S in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 4 recall campaigns and 26 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a BMW 325iS VIN
Here is a real 1992 BMW 325iS VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN WBABF4302NEK00072 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
BMW 325iS VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
Every BMW 325iS we have on record, from 1992 to 1995, opens with the same three characters, WBA:
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBA | 1992–1995 | Germany | Passenger Car |
Counted from 25 dated BMW 325iS VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the BMW 325iS
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the BMW 325iS has not yet outlived: its 8 years still map one-to-one. All 8 model years of the BMW 325iS, 1987 to 1995, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | S | — |
| 1994 | R | — |
| 1993 | P | — |
| 1992 | N | — |
| 1991 | M | — |
| 1990 | L | — |
| 1988 | J | — |
| 1987 | H | — |
Body and engine characters we see on BMW 325iS VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 5 VINs the BMW 325iS uses 6 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | A (80%) · B (20%) | 2 distinct |
| 5 — series | A (80%) · F (20%) | 2 distinct |
| 8 — engine | 1 (60%) · 0 (40%) | 2 distinct |
What a decoded BMW 325iS VIN gets you
Behind a BMW 325iS VIN: 26 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 4 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 26 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 20 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 8 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a BMW 325iS
A BMW 325iS VIN normally opens with WBA; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this BMW 325iS VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 4 recall campaigns and 26 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the BMW 325iS.
What year is my 325iS by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 1995 325iS carries S, a 1994 325iS carries R, a 1993 325iS carries P.
Where was my 325iS built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 26 dated BMW 325iS VINs it reads E 96%.
What does position 4 mean on a BMW 325iS VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 5 BMW 325iS VINs here, A is the most common character in position 4, on 80% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a BMW 325iS check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with WBA. A plate that starts with anything else, or disagrees with the other copies of the number, needs documents checked before any money changes hands.
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