How to check the specs of a BMW when buying used

[raymanh]

Hi,

I'm looking for to buy a F10 but most adverts on Autotrader do not list the full specs of the car.

Is there a way to find out the specs/options on a car I'm looking at using the reg number? I've done a little research and it seems previously you could simply use the BMW warranty site to type in the registration and it would give you the VIN number, which you could decode at various websites to give you the full spec list. However the BMW warranty site no longer gives out the VIN number, and I cannot find any other way to get it.

Does anyone know how to get a spec list using another method, or a reg to VIN website that works?

Thanks

[Mr Tidy]

I used to use the BMW Warranty site, then Cazana but I think being able to get the VIN from the reg. has pretty much disappeared now.

But I would have thought if someone is selling one a phone call ought to get you the VIN (it's displayed in the screen after all) then you can use something like this:- https://vindecoder.eu/bmw
to get the OEM spec.

[Lochaber]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Here is the thread I started when i had the same question. I just asked the dealer for the full VIN.

[jamiedragu]

Mr Tidy said:

I used to use the BMW Warranty site, then Cazana but I think being able to get the VIN from the reg. has pretty much disappeared now.

But I would have thought if someone is selling one a phone call ought to get you the VIN (it's displayed in the screen after all) then you can use something like this:- https://vindecoder.eu/bmw
to get the OEM spec.

I tried the vindecoder.eu, but they provide to little information about the car. There are several websites which gives you a 360 VIN report. That's my 7 Series report https://4html.net/PDFViewer/#/source/BMW%20730d%20... . The interesting thing is that I didn;t know that my car is in a callback campaign.. )

[court]

I've been tipped off about a new way to get the VIN of UK BMWs for spec lookups etc - apologies if its already known.

Go to mini.co.uk
At the top click 'Owners'
Click 'Online tools for MINI owners'
Click 'manage your MINI details'
Stick the registration in the box on the new page and click 'registration lookup'
Voila!



Thats not my VIN btw, just a random car off AUC.

[GregorFuk]

Correct me if I'm wrong but these VIN lookup services only give you the basic high level info. Make, model, year etc.

They are not going to tell you if your car has the smokers pack, self dimming mirrors, and reversing camera etc

[ChrisDT]

Some of them are very good, list all the options it had and the codes as well.

[Sir_Dave]

GregorFuk said:

Correct me if I'm wrong but these VIN lookup services only give you the basic high level info. Make, model, year etc.

They are not going to tell you if your car has the smokers pack, self dimming mirrors, and reversing camera etc

This tells you everything, even gives you an interior/exterior image of how the car left the factory: http://bimmer.work/

For example: http://bimmer.work/vin/625c23d65f71efab6d8cd0a60ef...

This one is words only: https://www.mdecoder.com/

[Ru78]

Just went to use this, and they've re juggled the website.
This link should take you straight in:
Mini VIN Check

Good luck,
Ru

[jlanng]

Oh no, it's stopped working!

[gprs999]

You can email [e-mail] with your plate (no VIN required) and they will send you a list of options as per my sample below:

Options

Ordered Options

01CA Selection of CoP-relevant vehicles

02PA Security Wheel Bolts

02PE 18" M Star-spoke style 400M alloy wheels with mixed tyres

02TB Sport automatic transmission

02VB Tyre pressure monitoring

[VeeTenM]

Alan butcher said:

A19AWB

[e-mail]