Where is the VIN number in BMW Seria 5 (F10/F11) [2010-2016]?

On the 2010–2016 BMW 5 Series F10 (sedan) / F11 (touring), you’ll usually find the VIN in a few standard places: a stamped chassis number (most important) plus labels/plates that are easier to access.

Chassis Number Locations

Engine Bay — Right Strut Tower (Stamped VIN)

• Where to look: Open the hood and go to the front Right suspension turret / shock tower (passenger side for LHD). The VIN is stamped into the metal on top of the strut tower, running parallel to the fender, typically between the coolant reservoir cap area and the inner fender wall.
• Access: Easy to reach, but commonly shadowed and the stamping is often covered in road grime/grease. The characters are body-colored, so contrast is poor—wipe it clean before you try to read it.
• Note: For RHD markets, the windshield VIN shifts sides, but this engine-bay stamp is still typically on the Right strut tower.
• Tip: If the stamping is faint/dirty, use ScanVin.app “High Contrast AI Mode” (and a quick wipe) to pull the characters without misreading them.

Windshield VIN Plate (Dashboard)

• Where to look: From outside the car, look through the lower driver-side corner of the windshield (LHD). You’ll see the VIN on a plate at the base of the dashboard.
• Access: Fastest check, but glare/reflections on the glass can hide characters. Parking permits or debris in the cowl can also block your view.
• Note: On RHD, this plate usually appears on the passenger side (left side of the car).
• Tip: If glare is fighting you, scan it with ScanVin.app instead of manually typing—one clean capture avoids transcription errors.

Driver Door Jamb / B-Pillar Label

• Where to look: Open the driver’s door (LHD) and inspect the lower B-pillar / door frame for the black manufacturer compliance label. It usually lists the VIN plus production data and tire pressures.
• Access: Usually clean and well-lit, but the sticker can be scratched, peeling, or faded from years of getting in/out.
• Note: This is a great cross-check, but it’s still a label—always confirm against the stamped chassis VIN when buying.
• Tip: This location scans well—use ScanVin.app to capture it cleanly and avoid mixing up similar characters (B/8, O/0, S/5).

Instrument Cluster (Hidden Menu / Digital VIN Display)

• Where to look: Use the instrument cluster hidden menu (commonly: hold the odometer reset for 10+ seconds, then unlock using the sum of the last 5 VIN digits). Once unlocked, you can view identification data on the cluster LCD.
• Access: Not a physical VIN mark and the menu navigation is more complex than a quick inspection. Useful as an extra verification step if you already have most of the VIN.
• Note: Menu structure can vary by cluster type/options.
• Tip: If you’re bent over the steering wheel trying to confirm characters, scan the stamped or windshield VIN instead to avoid mistakes in an awkward position.

Behind Rear License Plate (Variant-Specific / Rare)

• Where to look: On some cars there may be a sticker on the trunk lid metal behind the license plate mount, hidden by the plate/frame.
• Access: High effort—you must unscrew and remove the rear plate and bracket. Not practical for quick checks.
• Note: This is not guaranteed on F10/F11—treat it as a “possible” location only.
• Tip: If you do remove the plate, scan the sticker instead of writing it down—tight angles make hand-copy errors common.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: BMW 520 F10 VIN number location - YouTube

▶ Watch BMW Seria 5 VIN Location Guide

• A mechanic opens the hood on an F10 and zooms straight onto the stamped VIN on the passenger-side (LHD) Right strut tower.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Stamped VIN hard to read in the engine bay: grime + low contrast (body-colored stamping). Scrub with a rag, angle a flashlight across the surface, then scan using High Contrast AI Mode.
• Windshield VIN won’t scan/read: reflections and glare. Change your angle, shade the VIN area with your body, and capture it quickly with your phone camera.
• Sticker VIN doesn’t “prove” identity: door-jamb labels can be replaced/damaged. For buying/verification, match the label and windshield VIN to the stamped chassis VIN—the stamp is the key identifier.

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