How to prove your BMW is the real deal

For anyone buying a classic car, authenticity is key.

BMW now offers a new way to prove your car’s bonafides, in the form of a digital birth certificate as reported by BMW Blog.

Priced at €125 (~$205), it features a vehicle’s chassis and engine numbers, as well as a production and delivery date.

Cars built after 1980 will also have their transmission numbers included on the sheet, and details about any optional extras fitted from the factory.

The form is digitally signed by BMW, in a bid to prevent scammers from creating counterfeits.

Getting your hands on one of these certificates is not easy.

You can’t just pick up the phone and ring them. You’ll need to order the form through the BMW Group Classic website, download the form, and then send it to the powers that be to have it approved.

You’ll need to include proof of ownership of the vehicle.

As for why anyone would bother? If you’re trying to sell your classic BMW, being able to prove it’s all original opens the door to a higher price.

It’s also a nice thing to hang on the wall of your garage if you’re a classic owner, celebrating your vehicle’s provenance.