WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier)
The WMI is the first three characters of the VIN, which identify the manufacturer and the region where the car was built.
What is WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier)?
The first character shows the region or country, for example W for Germany or V for France and Spain. Each manufacturer is assigned one or more WMI codes. The rest of the VIN describes the model and the individual car. In North America the 10th character of the VIN shows the model year; in Europe this is not mandatory.
How it works
Codes are assigned under international standards so every manufacturer has a unique prefix.
Why it matters for your car
A WMI that does not match the badge on the car is a warning sign of fraud or an error. Use reliable decoders, as free online tools are not always accurate.
Other terms
- A/C Condenser
- Alloy Wheel
- Bird Droppings On Paint
- Brake Judder (Brake Vibration)
- Child Seat Support Leg
- Cooling Fan
- Hot Hatch
- Injector Leak-off Test
- Knee Airbag
- Liftback
- Master Cylinder
- MPV (People Carrier, Minivan)
- Patina
- Plastic Trim Restoration
- Rescue Sheet (EV Rescue Card)
- Rock Sliders (Sill Protectors)
- Sensor Ground (Signal Ground)
- Side Window
- Tar Remover
- Torque Curve