Table of Contents
Mini
In General:
Minis can be identified from the following numbers:
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The locations can vary according to model. The locations are shown in the following pictures.
It is not possible to identify a vehicle using the locking system number.
1. Vehicle Identification Number:
1.1 Location of the VIN
The VIN on all Minis is on the right suspension strut dome
1.2 VIN Lettering
The BMW symbol appears at both ends of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the Mini.
VIN on a MINI (until 2006)– engraved and covered with foil
1.3 Breakdown of the VIN
From January 1989
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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!
2. Factory Plate:
2.1 Location of the factory plate (sticker)
On the outer side of the right wing
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2.2 Form of the factory plate
2.3 Structure of the factory plate
Like BMW sticker plates, the double-layered sticker plate is made with an inbuilt “break-off grain” (made by Schreiner), which should make it impossible to remove the plate without destroying it.
In addition, all other vehicle stickers, such as the fuel sticker, the tyre pressure sticker, colour code strip etc., also have an inbuilt break-off grain.
3. Body Shell Number:
3.1 Location of the body shell number
3.2 Composition and appearance of the body shell number
The body shell number has 8 characters and the BMW symbol normally appears on both sides.
The body shell number used to comprise 8 digits until model year 2003. Letters were introduced in 2003, beginning at the 5th digit. Example with the letter “A” on a MINI body shell number (see image below).
The number is stamped onto the body shell before painting and it is then painted.
4. Engine Number:
4.1 Location of the engine number
The engines installed in the various types of vehicle and the locations of the engine numbers can be selected via the table below.
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4.2 Form and appearance of the engine number
The engine number is stamped by machine. The engine number is composed of the 8-character engine code and the actual engine number (8 alphanumeric characters). It can be found on a smoothly ground surface. The engine code may be either above or below the engine number. On newer models everything may be all on one line. The engine code is identical with the engine designation on the factory plate (identification plate). Exchange engines of the manufacturer’s BMW are with a special one 8-figure engine number provide.
Brakdown of the engine marking
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Mini
Gasoline engine
The engine number on MINIs also has 8 characters (but not on diesel engines). However there is a letter instead of a number at the first and fifth characters. For example, D227Q339
Diesel engines until 2006
The engine number on diesel engined Minis has 7 characters!!
In 2006 became no standard diesel models produces.
Diesel engine W 16
By the diesel engine from construction year In 2007 a 8-figure numerical engine number is right. From construction year In 2008 are at the first both places letters, e.g., AQ001694
Replacement engines
Exchange engines of the manufacturer’s BMW are with a special one 8-figure engine number provide.
With foreign manufacturers, e.g., Peugeot remains the available standard number of the suitable manufacturer in the engine block.
The number of the exchange engine is not investigateable in the BMW data bank.
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5. Gearbox number:
The 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.
Location on manual gearboxes:
New Generation
Location on automatic gearboxes:
A stamped gearbox number without the last three letters
6. Radio Number:
The radio number should have 14 characters and begins with 2 letters designating the manufacturer. MINIs 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.
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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 when asking for a Vehicle Data Working Group (FADA) trace, because a trace request with the VIN will also produce the complete radio number.
Attention: 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.