Every Mini vehicle on the road today has a unique VIN number that serves as a fingerprint for the car. The Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, is a 17-digit code that contains important information about the Mini Cooper’s history and specifications. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what a Mini VIN number is, why it’s important, and how you can decode it to unlock the secrets of your Mini Cooper.
What is a Mini VIN Number?
A Mini VIN number is a unique 17-digit code that is assigned to every Mini vehicle. This code contains important information about the Mini, including its model year, engine type, and manufacturing location. The VIN number can be found in several locations on the Mini, including on the dashboard near the windshield, on the driver’s side door jamb, and on the engine block.
Mini VIN Number Location
If you’re looking to decode your Mini Cooper’s VIN number, the first step is to locate it. Here are the most common locations where you can find your Mini Cooper’s VIN number:
- Dashboard: The easiest place to find your Mini Cooper’s VIN number is on the dashboard, near the windshield on the driver’s side of the car. Look for a metal plate that contains the 17-digit code.
- Driver’s Side Door Jamb: Another common location for the Mini Cooper VIN number is on the driver’s side door jamb. Open the driver’s side door and look for a sticker that contains the 17-digit code.
- MINI Engine Block: In some cases, the Mini Cooper VIN number can also be found on the engine block. Look for a metal plate or stamp that contains the 17-digit code on the engine block.
The Mini VIN Number is on the right suspension strut dome
Mini VIN Lettering
The BMW symbol appears at both ends of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the Mini.
| VIN MINI (-2006) carved and covered with foil |
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| VIN Number MINI (2007-) |
| carved and covered with foil |
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| MINI VIN Countryman (08/2010-) and MINI Paceman (01/2013-) |
| carved and covered with foil |
| VIN split into two lines, folding edges right and left on the foil |
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| VIN MINI Cooper 3-doors (F56, 2014-) and MINI Cooper 5-doors (F55, 2014-) |
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| Detailed view of VIN with starting points of the embossing machine |
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Mini VIN Decoder
The Mini VIN decoder From January 1989
| WMW | MF31 | 0 | 4 | 0 | T | S12345 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
1 = World Manufacturer Identifier Code (WMI)
WMW = MINI (all models)
2 = MINI type code
3 = Free number “0”
4 = Check digit
5 = Free number “0”
Exception: Sometimes the year identifier (X = 1999, Y = 2000, 1 = 2001 etc.) can be found at this position in vehicles delivered to certain countries, such as USA, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Israel and Korea.
6 = Place of manufacture (plant)
T = Mini/GB
7 = Serial number (1 letter + 5 digits) but 6 digits are possible from mid 2001!
Mini Gearbox number
The Mini gearbox number has 10 characters, 7 digits and 3 letters, e.g. 1036320HCI
On some older automatic transmissions, the gearbox number may contain no letters.
Mini manual gearboxes number location
New Generation
Mini automatic gearboxes number location
A stamped gearbox number without the last three letters
Mini Radio Number
The Mini radio number should have 14 characters and begins with 2 letters designating the manufacturer. MINI are fitted at the works with radios from the following manufacturers:
BP = Blaupunkt
PH = Philips
BE = Becker
PI = Pioneer
On radios from the company Becker the serial number can be read aut from the display.
| BMW Model Name company Becker Query mode BMW 2Reverse C32 BBMW 4Business C33B/C33MID BMW 6Professional C 34 BMW 8Professional C 24 MID BMW 0Professional C 44 MID 1BE 3251 2BE 3350 and 3351 3BE 3455 4BE 2456 5BE 4450 and 6510 Device switch on and like m key so long press to in the display the device number, e.g., SN W1234567 is indicated Announcement leave and switch off BMW Professional C 24 DIN BMW Bordmonitor Becker BE 2455 BE 3457 Device switch on and immediately Device switch on and gleichTP key so long press to in the display the device number, e.g., SN W1234567 is indicated. Announcement leave and switch off |
Important note: The information in Display contains merely 10 last places of the whole ones 14-figure individual number. Around about the radio number them to find matching VIN, must go with radiomanufacturer Becker at first the complete number are determined. Nevertheless it is always possible to compare whether a radio number belongs to a particular VIN Number when asking for a Vehicle Data Working Group (FADA) trace, because a trace request with the VIN will also produce the complete radio number.
Note: from September 2008 onwards car radio numbers have no longer been present on the radio sets and capable of being read off. The numbers can only be read out at an authorised dealer using an on-board diagnostic system.
