Mercedes VIN Number Decoder

The Mercedes VIN isn’t just a random string of characters—it’s a unique identifier that unlocks key details about the vehicle. By decoding it, you can access specifications, features, production details, and even the vehicle history records.

What is a Mercedes VIN?

Every Mercedes comes with a unique VIN — 17 characters for modern models and 5 to 14 for classics. This code acts as a master key, revealing essential information like factory-installed features, build sheets, window stickers, paint color, and past records.

For buyers, sellers, and dealers, a VIN lookup provides transparency, helping them make informed decisions and negotiate better deals.

How to Read a Mercedes VIN Number

The VIN number is 17 characters long in modern vehicles and includes both letters and numbers except the letters Q (q), I (i), and O (o). These are omitted from the VIN to avoid confusion with the numbers 9, 1, and 0, respectively.

The characters in the VIN are also grouped into three segments to make decoding easier. These segments are:

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI): This includes the first three characters and signifies the vehicle’s country of origin and manufacturer.

Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS): This section includes the 4th to 9th characters and contains information about the vehicle’s make, engine specs, model, and more.

Vehicle Identifier Section: Here, you will find the 10th to 17th characters, which encode details like the model year, manufacturing plant code, and a serial number unique to each vehicle.

What Do the Characters on the VIN Mean?

1st Character: Mercedes Country of Origin

The first digit of the VIN indicates where the specific Mercedes was manufactured. This helps identify the country of production and the location of the manufacturer’s headquarters. For most Mercedes vehicles, you should see these characters as the first digit:

1 or 4 = United States
2 = Canada
3 = Mexico
J = Japan
K = Korea
S = England
W = Germany
Z = Italy

2nd Character: Manufacturer Code

For all Diamler-Benz and Daimler-Chrysler passenger vehicles, you would find the letter “D” as the second character of the VIN. For a brief period after 1999, vehicles with the same origin were designed with a “C” for “Daimler-Chrysler.” The Mercedes commercial division uses a “1,” and you could also find a “J” for U.S. Mercedes vehicles.

3rd Character: Vehicle Type or Region

The third character on a Mercedes VIN tells the vehicle type. If you find any of these characters, it should give you a clue of the vehicle’s type:

B, D, K, S = Passenger vehicles
F = Commercial vehicles
C, N, G = SUV

4th Character: Model or Series

The fourth character represents the model or series, which is determined by the chassis code. For instance, a W126 S-Class features a “C” in this position, while a W140 S-Class uses a “G.” Commercial vehicles, on the other hand, use numbers in this spot. Some examples are:

A = W123
B = W102
C = W126
D = W201
E = W124 E-Class
F = R129 SL-Class
G = W140 S-Class
H = W202 C-Class
J = W210 E-Class
K = R170 SLK-Class
L = W208 CLK-Class
N = W220 S-Class
P = W215 CL-Class
R = W203 C-Class
S = R230 SL-Class
U = W211 E-Class
W = R171 SLK-Class

Note that some of these characters are recycled to represent different models and series.

5th Character: Body Style or Engine

This fifth character gives information about the body style or the engine of the vehicle, depending on the age of the vehicle. Some common ones are:

A = Roadster
B = Long body (long wheelbase sedan)
F = Sedan
G = Long wheelbase sedan
H = Wagon
J = Coupe
K = Cabriolet and Roadster
M = Older AMG models
R = Used on some W463 G-Class SUVs
0 or 3 = Van

On older models manufactured through much of the 1990s, the fifth character shows the engine type:

A = Gasoline engine
B = Diesel engine
D = Gasoline engine with 4matic all-wheel drive

6th & 7th Character: Model Within the Series

The Mercedes-Benz model is usually encoded in the sixth and seventh characters of the VIN.

8th Character: Safety Restraint System

The seventh character shows the different types of seat belts and airbags installed at the factory. Note that you can get the complete list of safety features using a Mercedes VIN decoder.

C = Seat belt and pretensioners only
D = Seat belt, pretensioners, and driver front airbag
E = Seat belt, pretensioners, and driver and passenger front airbags
F = Seat belt, pretensioners, driver and passenger front and side airbags

9th Character: Check Digit

This digit verifies that the VIN is authentic and not a fake string of random characters. It is calculated using a specific algorithm developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

10th Character: Model Year

The tenth character indicates the model year and alternates between numbers and letters. Each letter represents a specific year; ‘W,’ for example, signifies a Mercedes from the 1998 model year.

Here’s a table that can help you easily identify any Mercedes’s model year:

Code/Year	Code/Year	Code/Year	Code/Year	Code/Year
A 1980 B 1981 C 1982 D 1983 E 1984 F 1985 G 1986 H 1987 J 1988 K 1989	L 1990 M 1991 N 1992 P 1993 R 1994 S 1995 T 1996 V 1997 W 1998 X 1999	Y 2000 1 2001 2 2002 3 2003 4 2004 5 2005 6 2006 7 2007 8 2008 9 2009	A 2010 B 2011 C 2012 D 2013 E 2014 F 2015 G 2016 H 2017 J 2018 K 2019	L 2020 M 2021 N 2022 P 2023 R 2024 S 2025 T 2026 V 2027 W 2028 X 2029

11th Character: Assembly Plant

The eleventh character shows the vehicle’s assembly or manufacturing plant, and you would mostly find Mercedes assembled in these locations represented with these characters:

A-D = Sindelfingen, Germany
E = Sindelfingen, Germany (through 2000)
E = Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil (from 2001)
F-H = Bremen, Germany
J, K = Rastatt, Germany
L = Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia (HICOM Automotive Manufacturers)
M = Woking, England, UK (SLR McLaren) (McLaren Automotive)
N, P = Kecskemet, Hungary
R, S = East London, South Africa
T = Osnabrück, Germany (Karmann)
U = Sindelfingen, Germany
V = Uusikaupunki, Finland (Valmet Automotive)
W = Aguascalientes, Mexico (COMPAS plant)
X = Graz, Austria (Magna Steyr)
1 = Pune, Maharashtra, India

For VINs beginning with 4JG and 55S:

A, B, U = Vance, Alabama, US

12th to 17th Characters: Serial Number

These characters make up the unique sequential number of the Mercedes. This distinguishes it uniquely from other Mercedes cars with the same model, trim, etc., and manufactured in the same plant.

Get a VIN Number Mercedes Check

Where is the VIN Number on a Mercedes?

You might be wondering where to find the Mercedes VIN. The good news is that it’s easy to find since Mercedes places the VIN in several locations on the vehicle, and with a good look, you should be able to find it:

Here’s where you can find the VIN on a Mercedes:

On the dashboard of the vehicle, near the windshield
On the driver’s side door jamb
On the engine block
On the vehicle’s firewall
In the left-hand inner wheel arch
On the steering wheel/steering column
On the radiator support bracket
On the car’s title, registration, maintenance book, or the auto insurance policy

What Information Can I Get from a Mercedes VIN Lookup?

With the VIN and a Mercedes VIN lookup, you can learn everything about both used and new Mercedes vehicles. This includes vehicle specifications, features, build sheets, and past history records.

Some Mercedes specifications you can view when you decode the VIN include:

Year
Make
Exterior dimensions
Number of doors
Ground clearance
Standard seating
Transmission style
Fuel type
Braking
Range extender
Engine Description
Front airbag information
Emissions
Cargo dimensions

Model
Valve train design
Interior dimensions
Suspension
Traction battery
Engine Size and specs
Drive Type
Tank capacity
Trailering
Displacement
Mileage
Tire pressure and size
Wheels
Electrical powertrain

Trim
Country
Delivery charges
Steering
Weight
MSRP
Body type
Seating
EPA Class
Engine model
Engine configuration
Seat belt type
Off-road attributes
Electrical specifications

Year
Make
Exterior dimensions
Number of doors
Ground clearance
Standard seating
Transmission style
Fuel type
Braking
Range extender
Engine Description
Front airbag information
Emissions
Cargo dimensions
Model
Valve train design
Interior dimensions
Suspension
Traction battery
Engine Size and specs
Drive Type

Tank capacity
Trailering
Displacement
Mileage
Tire pressure and size
Wheels
Electrical powertrain
Trim
Country
Delivery charges
Steering
Weight
MSRP
Body type
Seating
EPA Class
Engine model
Engine configuration
Seat belt type
Off-road attributes
Electrical specifications

But that’s not all. A Mercedes VIN lookup also tracks vehicle history records from when the vehicle first left the factory till date. Some records you can view include:

Mileage
Odometer Readings
Sales History
Auction History
Accident History
Title Brand

Salvage Title
Hail Damage
Flood Damage
Structural Damage
Ownership History
Usage History

Ownership Duration
Lien & Loans
Maintenance Schedule
Warranty Status
Repair Cost
Recalls History

Mileage
Odometer Readings
Sales History
Auction History
Accident History
Title Brand
Salvage Title
Hail Damage
Flood Damage

Structural Damage
Ownership History
Usage History
Ownership Duration
Lien & Loans
Maintenance Schedule
Warranty Status
Repair Cost
Recalls History

Keep in mind that the records available when you decode the VIN depend on the provider you choose.

For instance, with our window sticker lookup tool, you can view all the specifications listed above on a copy of the original window sticker. However, you might get less information from other providers.

View Sample Mercedes Window Sticker

How to Decode a Mercedes VIN Number?

If you have the Mercedes VIN handy, you can decode it with our VIN decoder instantly with just a few steps:

Enter the Mercedes VIN in the form above. Our tool can decode standard VINs (17 characters) and classic VINs (5 – 14 characters). You can also use the license plate number or the year, make, and model of the vehicle if you don’t have the VIN.

Click on ‘Search’ to preview your vehicle’s specifications for free.

Complete the payment process to get a detailed vehicle history report showing vehicle specifications and history records.

Using our Mercedes VIN decoder, you can also break down all the characters of a VIN to access the specifications and build data, whether for classic or modern vehicles.

Get a Window Sticker Get a Mercedes History Report

Common Uses of the Mercedes VIN Number

The Mercedes VIN has several uses and applications, depending on who’s using it. Most times, you will find the VIN used for:

Vehicle Registration

The VIN is required for vehicle registrations. It is actually needed before, during, and after a vehicle is purchased. After purchase, the Mercedes has to be registered at the State bureaus or departments of motor vehicles before they can be driven legally. The VIN is also required for other ownership papers and documents for proper identification.

Insurance Purposes

You can expect to see the VIN used during insurance registrations. With a Mercedes VIN lookup, insurance companies can use the check on information about specific Mercedes and make accurate quotes.

Window Stickers

The VIN is very useful in generating window stickers to check any vehicle’s specifications, such as make, model, engine type, and trim. This ensures that potential buyers can verify the exact features and details of the vehicle before making a purchase.

History Checks

The VIN also comes in for buyers who need to check a vehicle’s history records like theft records, sales records, damages, accidents, salvage brands, rebuilt titles, build data, warranty coverage, and more. With a simple VIN check, car buyers, sellers, and dealers can avoid damaged cars and negotiate accurately.

Police Checks

Another important and common area where the VIN is used is police checks. If a vehicle gets reported as stolen, the police can identify such vehicles with the help of the VIN. They can even place police markers on those VINs and get alerts whenever they are spotted at checkpoints.

Safety Recalls

Manufacturers also use the VIN to identify specific vehicle models that are recalled. With this, they can notify the owners to get their vehicles fixed as soon as possible. Car buyers can also check for pending recalls on any used car before purchasing using the VIN.

Top Models You Can Lookup With a Mercedes VIN Decoder

Now that you’re familiar with the VIN, it’s a great idea to check out the specs and features of any Mercedes you’re considering before making a purchase. Here are some top Mercedes-Benz models that you might find interesting:

A-Class	G-Class	GLA-Class	SL-Class
B-Class	CLA-Class	GLB-Class	EQE
C-Class	G-Class	GLC-Class	EQS
E-Class	AMG GT	GLE-Class	V-Class
S-Class	CLS-Class	GLS-Class	Citan

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you read a Mercedes VIN number?

A Mercedes VIN is a 17-character code that identifies your vehicle. Here’s how to read the VIN number: 1st character is the country, 2nd is the manufacturer, 3rd is the vehicle type, 4th-8th are vehicle features, 9th is the security code, 10th is the model year, 11th is the assembly plant, and 12th-17th are the serial number.

Can I look up my vehicle specs by VIN?

Yes, you can look up vehicle specs by VIN using a Mercedes VIN decoder. All you need to do is enter the VIN into the form on this page to view these specs for free. With the tool, you can check the vehicle specifications, features, engine specifications, transmission specifications, optional features, and more.

How long is the VIN on a Mercedes?

The Mercedes VIN number is 17 characters long for all modern vehicles manufactured later than 1981 and 5 to 14 characters for classic cars.

How do I check the Mercedes-Benz VIN number?

To get a Mercedes Benz VIN number check, you simply need to use the VIN check tool on this page. To check, fill out the form on this page and submit it. You will immediately view all vehicle specifications and past records, including theft records, ownership information, accident records, damages, and more.