Where is the VIN number in BMW X5 (F15) [2014-2018]?

This guide covers the BMW X5 F15 (2014–2018) and the most common, inspection-verified VIN (chassis number) locations you can check in under a few minutes.

Chassis Number Locations

Engine Bay – Right Strut Tower (Stamped into metal)

• Where to look: Open the hood and locate the right-hand strut tower dome. The VIN is stamped into the top surface of the strut tower metal. (In the inspection footage, there’s also a black manufacturer sticker on the side of that same strut tower housing, below the stamping.)
• Access: Easy to access, but the stamping is often painted over in body color and can be dusty. Wipe it clean and angle a light across it to make the characters “pop.”
• Note: “Right” is the vehicle’s right side (as you sit in the car, facing forward). This location is the same on LHD and RHD vehicles.
• Tip: If the stamping blends into the paint, use ScanVin.app “High Contrast AI Mode” after wiping the area—this helps decipher low-contrast stamped characters.

B-Pillar Label / Door Jamb Sticker (Lower pillar)

• Where to look: Open the front passenger door (LHD vehicles) and check the lower B-pillar area in the door opening. You’re looking for a black manufacturer label with white text that includes the VIN plus weight/paint info.
• Access: Very easy to read/scan, but it sits low, so you’ll likely need to crouch.
• Note: The inspection video is an RHD car, where the label appears on the front passenger side of that vehicle. On LHD (EU/US) cars, you’ll typically find it on the front passenger-side door opening—but if it’s missing, check the opposite side (labels can vary by market/body repair history).
• Tip: Because you’re crouched and don’t want to copy digits by hand, scan it with ScanVin.app—high contrast labels are usually the fastest, cleanest OCR reads.

Dashboard / Windshield VIN Plate (Visible through glass)

• Where to look: From outside the vehicle, look through the windshield at the lower corner area where the VIN is usually displayed on a visible plate (commonly on the driver-side corner on many vehicles).
• Access: Quick to check, but windshield glare/reflections can block the view—especially in sun.
• Note: The inspection video only shows a brief interior pan and does not zoom in on the plate, but this is a standard BMW VIN display location on many models/markets.
• Tip: If glare is fighting you, use ScanVin.app to capture it instantly—get the VIN without misreading characters through glass reflections.

Instrument Cluster / iDrive VIN (Digital display reference)

• Where to look: Check the instrument cluster hidden menu (often via a button-hold sequence) or the iDrive “Vehicle Status” type menus, depending on equipment/software.
• Access: Not a physical stamping—requires menu navigation and may vary by model year/region.
• Note: This is best used to verify what you scanned from the body, not as your only source.
• Tip: If you’re comparing a digital VIN to a physical one, scan the physical VIN with ScanVin.app first to avoid transcription mistakes.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: BMW X5 PHEV(2016)CHASSIS NUMBER LOCATION#HOW TO ...

▶ Watch BMW X5 VIN Location Guide

• Real-world walk-around of an F15 X5 showing the stamped engine-bay VIN on the right strut tower and the B-pillar label location.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Stamped VIN looks “blank” or unreadable: The characters are often painted over and lose contrast. Scrub the area lightly (microfiber + mild cleaner) and shine a light across the stamp at an angle.
• Uneven lighting in the engine bay: Overhead light can wash the stamping out. Use a flashlight to create side-shadows in the stamped digits.
• Sticker VIN vs stamped VIN mismatch or missing label: Door jamb labels can be replaced after bodywork. For ownership/registration checks, rely on the stamped chassis number and verify it matches paperwork.

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