A BMW 325xi VIN opens with WBA (Germany). A 2006 325xi carries 6 in position 10.
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How to read a BMW 325xi VIN
Here is a real 2006 BMW 325xi VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN WBAVD13536KV02731 — 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. |
Where BMW 325xi VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 4 BMW 325xi VINs we have on file, these are the codes that actually show up — and the plants behind them:
| WMI | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on file | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WBA | Germany | Passenger Car | 4 |
Country and vehicle type come from the NHTSA manufacturer registry. Share is measured across VINs decoded on ForCar, not production volume.
Model-year codes for the BMW 325xi
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the BMW 325xi has not yet outlived: its 5 years still map one-to-one. All 5 model years of the BMW 325xi, 2002 to 2006, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 6 | — |
| 2005 | 5 | — |
| 2004 | 4 | — |
| 2003 | 3 | — |
| 2002 | 2 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on BMW 325xi VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 4 VINs the BMW 325xi uses 7 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | E (50%) · V (50%) | 2 distinct |
| 5 — series | D (50%) · P (25%) · U (25%) | 3 distinct |
| 8 — engine | 4 (50%) · 5 (50%) | 2 distinct |
What a decoded BMW 325xi VIN gets you
What a decoded VIN opens up:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 12 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 20 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 5 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a BMW 325xi
A BMW 325xi 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 325xi VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 12 recall campaigns NHTSA holds on the BMW 325xi.
What year is my 325xi by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2006 325xi carries 6, a 2005 325xi carries 5, a 2004 325xi carries 4.
What does position 4 mean on a BMW 325xi VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 4 BMW 325xi VINs here, E is the most common character in position 4, on 50% of them.
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