Where is the VIN number in BMW X3 (G01) [2017-2021]?

If you drive a 2017–2021 BMW X3 (G01), you’ll usually find the VIN in a couple of “fast” spots (windshield + door jamb), plus a stamped backup in the engine bay and a deeper backup in the cargo area.

Chassis Number Locations

1) Windshield (Dashboard)

• Where to look: At the lower corner of the windshield, where the dashboard meets the glass (typically the left side on LHD cars).
• Access: Easy—stand outside the vehicle and look through the glass. The problem is glare/reflections and dirty windshield glass.
• Note: “Left/right” here is from the vehicle’s direction of travel; on most LHD BMWs it’s on the left lower corner, but if you don’t see it there, check the opposite corner.
• Tip: If reflections wash out the numbers, use ScanVin.app and capture it quickly at a slight angle to avoid misreading characters (glare is the #1 reason people mistype a VIN).

2) Driver Side B-Pillar (Door Jamb)

• Where to look: Open the driver’s door and check the lower B-pillar/door frame area, down near the rocker panel/sill. You’re looking for a black VIN sticker/label (often with tire pressure + paint info).
• Access: Easy to reach, but the label is vertical and low, so it’s often in shadow—especially in garages. The print/barcode can be scuffed or faded from years of entry/exit.
• Note: On LHD vehicles this is typically on the left side of the car (driver side).
• Tip: Use ScanVin.app “Flashlight + OCR” to light the label and scan the barcode/text cleanly without crouching there trying to write it down.

3) Engine Bay (Strut Tower / Chassis Stamp)

• Where to look: Open the hood and search for a VIN stamped into the metal on the right side of the engine bay (LHD passenger side) near the strut tower / fender apron area. It may be close to the washer fluid reservoir and sometimes partially hidden by plastic covers or seals.
• Access: Medium difficulty. You may need to wipe dust/film off the metal and angle a light across the stamping to make the characters pop. Modern BMW engine bays can be tight, and the stamping can be low-contrast.
• Note: Depending on market and layout, placement can vary slightly—focus on the right-side apron/strut tower region first.
• Tip: If the stamping is hard to read, clean it and use ScanVin.app “High Contrast AI Mode”—it helps decipher embossed metal with low contrast.

4) Digital (iDrive System)

• Where to look: In the infotainment/iDrive vehicle information screens (menu path varies by software version; look for “Vehicle info/status” style pages).
• Access: Easy—no tools—but you need the key/ignition power and a working battery.
• Note: This is great for cross-checking when a label is damaged, but it’s not a physical chassis stamp.
• Tip: Use this VIN as a reference, then scan a physical VIN with ScanVin.app to confirm they match (helps catch swapped panels/labels).

5) Rear Cargo Area (Boot/Trunk – Under Floor)

• Where to look: In the rear cargo area, lift the main floor panel and check near the battery/storage compartment. The VIN may be on a label or stamped on the metal floor pan in that area.
• Access: Hard. You may need to empty the trunk, lift panels, and work in poor lighting inside the cargo area.
• Note: On the X3 (SUV), this won’t look like a sedan spare wheel well. Expect side compartments/battery area instead.
• Tip: If you’re contorted over the trunk opening, scan it with your phone to avoid copying errors while you’re in an awkward position.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: Where Is Your Chassis Number/VIN Located & What Does It Mean?

▶ Watch BMW X3 VIN Location Guide

• Walkthrough of multiple BMW VIN locations (windshield, door jamb, engine bay stamping, and trunk area). Note: the video shows a BMW sedan, but the locations are conceptually similar on the X3.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Windshield VIN glare: Reflections from sky/trees and a dirty exterior windshield can hide digits—change angle, shade the glass with your body, or scan at an angle.
• Engine bay stamp unreadable: Grease/dust + low contrast stamping is common—scrub lightly with a rag and use a light from the side to highlight the embossing.
• Sticker vs. stamped VIN mismatch: A pillar sticker can be replaced. If anything looks tampered with, verify the stamped chassis VIN and run a history check before purchase.

---