BMW VIN check and lookup
Buying a used BMW? Search its VIN for title brands, accidents and odometer readings, and check the open recalls – most BMW vehicles on US roads were built in North America.
Title brands
Salvage, flood, junk or rebuilt titles recorded for this BMW.
Open recalls
Safety recalls for BMW vehicles sold in the US (free at NHTSA).
Theft and total loss
Insurance theft and total-loss records (free at NICB VINCheck).
BMW recalls by VIN
BMW vehicles sold in the US are covered by the NHTSA recall lookup: enter the VIN to see unrepaired safety recalls for free. Most BMW vehicles on US roads were built in North America (VINs starting with 5UX and 5YM). A BMW imported from Europe may have recalls that only its European dealer network lists.
Free official checks
Links to the official services; each opens in a new tab.
Most checked BMW models
Open a model for its generations and engines, then compare the VIN with the car in front of you.
BMW 3 Series 1975–presentBMW 02 (E10) 1967–1977BMW 5 Series 1972–presentBMW 1 Series 2004–presentBMW 7 Series 1977–presentBMW 6 Series 1976–presentBMW X3 2003–presentBMW 2 Series 2014–presentBMW 4 Series 2013–presentBMW M5 1980–present
Can I check BMW recalls by VIN?
BMW vehicles sold in the US are covered by the NHTSA recall lookup: enter the VIN to see unrepaired safety recalls for free. Most BMW vehicles on US roads were built in North America (VINs starting with 5UX and 5YM). A BMW imported from Europe may have recalls that only its European dealer network lists.
Which VIN codes does a BMW have?
The first three characters (WMI) of a BMW VIN are usually one of these: WBA – BMW AG, Germany (cars); WBS – BMW M GmbH; WBY – BMW i (electric); 5UX – BMW SUVs built in Spartanburg, South Carolina. A VIN with another code is not necessarily wrong, since makers change codes over time, but decode it to see what it says.
Which BMW models are checked most often?
On DecodeThatVIN, the most searched BMW models are the 3 Series, 02 (E10), 5 Series, 1 Series and 7 Series. Each model page lists its generations and engines, so you can compare the car with its VIN.
BMW VIN decoder: WMI codes and plants · BMW models and engine specs
Salvage and flood titles explained · What the free VIN checks show