WBA
BMW passenger cars built in Germany
Decode any BMW VIN free — 3 Series, 5 Series, X3, X5, M models, and more — for the factory build, engine, plant, and open recalls.
Factory build data from manufacturer and government sources
The first three characters (the WMI) identify the manufacturer and where the vehicle was built. Common BMW prefixes:
BMW passenger cars built in Germany
BMW M cars
BMW i electrified models
BMW X-model SUVs built in Spartanburg, South Carolina
A WBS prefix is the fastest authenticity check on a claimed M car — real M models carry it, M Sport packages do not.
Nearly every X3, X4, X5, X6, and X7 sold worldwide is built in Spartanburg and carries a 5UX prefix.
Driver-side dashboard, visible through the windshield
Driver-side door pillar label
Strut tower plate under the hood (also near the paint code)
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Type or paste the 17-character VIN from the dashboard, door jamb, frame, or title.
Year, model, trim, engine, plant, and factory equipment from manufacturer and government records.
No account, no credit card. Add a CARFAX or VinAudit history report later only if you want one.
The most reliable spots: Driver-side dashboard, visible through the windshield; Driver-side door pillar label; Strut tower plate under the hood (also near the paint code). All show the same 17-character VIN — if they disagree with the title, do not buy the vehicle.
Genuine M models carry the WBS prefix instead of WBA, and the decode spells out the exact model. An "M340i" or "M Sport" trim is a WBA car — a quick VIN check protects you from listings that blur the difference.
The X-model SUVs — X3 through X7 — are built in Spartanburg, South Carolina and carry 5UX (or 4US) prefixes. Sedans and coupes still come from Germany or Mexico. The decode shows the plant for your exact vehicle.
Yes. The full BMW decode — year, model, trim, engine, factory equipment, and open recalls — is free with no account or credit card. Paid CARFAX or VinAudit reports are optional and add accident, title, and ownership history.
Free decode of the factory build — trim, engine, equipment, and open recalls.