Where is the VIN number in BMW Seria 2 (F46 [2015-2019])?

This guide covers where to find the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) on the BMW 2 Series F46 (2015–2019), including the fastest-to-scan label and the stamped chassis number used for verification.

Chassis Number Locations

Front passenger door jamb / B-pillar manufacturer label

• Where to look: Open the front passenger door (vehicle right on LHD cars). Look on the B-pillar (center pillar between front and rear doors). The VIN is on a black manufacturer label mounted low on the pillar, just below the door striker/latch area.
• Access: Very easy access on a vertical surface. It can be shadowed by the open door, so you may need extra light.
• Note: This placement is shown on LHD cars in the videos; on some markets the VIN label may be on the other side, so if you don’t see it on the passenger side, check the driver door jamb next.
• Tip: If the sticker is in shadow, use your phone flash and scan the VIN directly with the free VIN reader to avoid misreading characters.

Windshield (public VIN plate)

• Where to look: Stand outside the car and look through the lower corner of the windshield on the driver side (LHD)—the VIN sits on the dashboard, recessed near the base of the glass.
• Access: No tools needed, but glare/reflections on the glass can make it hard to read, and the plate sits deep near the wiper cowl.
• Note: On RHD cars, this “public VIN” typically appears on the vehicle right side (driver side for RHD).
• Tip: If reflections wash out the digits, capture it with your phone using ScanVin so you don’t have to transcribe through glare.

Engine bay (stamped VIN on body metal)

• Where to look: Open the hood. Locate the right suspension strut tower (vehicle right / passenger side on LHD). The VIN is stamped into the metal on the top curved section of the tower, running roughly parallel to the fender.
  (In the video, the presenter says “left side” meaning your left while facing the engine—use vehicle orientation: it’s the vehicle’s right strut tower.)
• Access: Usually unobstructed, but the stamping can be hard to read because it’s body-colored and may have dirt/grease filling the characters. The curved surface may require you to change camera angle.
• Note: On RHD cars, the stamped VIN commonly remains on the right strut tower (which becomes the driver side).
• Tip: If the stamping is low-contrast or dirty, wipe it first, then use ScanVin’s VIN scanner to pull the characters with a clearer, higher-contrast capture.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: Where is the VIN Location in BMW Series 2 F22-F23-F45-F46 Active Tourer

▶ Watch BMW Seria 2 VIN Location Guide

• Shows all key VIN points: the passenger door jamb label, the stamped engine bay VIN, and the windshield VIN plate.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Windshield glare: If you can’t read the VIN through the glass, change your viewing angle or shade the area with your hand to reduce reflections.
• Engine bay stamping unreadable: Dirt/grease or body-colored stamping can hide characters—scrub/wipe the strut tower stamping before trying to read or scan it.
• Sticker vs. stamped VIN mismatch: Door labels can be replaced; for fraud checks, always compare the windshield VIN + door label + stamped engine bay VIN for consistency.

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