Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN codes)/Mercedes-Benz/VIN Codes

Mercedes-Benz uses the following VIN codes and formats:

(Note) This chart is not applicable to Mercedes-Benz products produced in or made for markets other than North America. European/World market cars use a different system for encoding VIN numbers.

1960-1983

Position 1-3 - model 450 sl

Position 4-6 - chassis type & engine size designation 107 4520cc

Position 7 - 1=LH Drive (made in Germany), 2=RH Drive (made in Germany), 5=LH Drive CKD, 6=RH Drive CKD (Complete Knocked Down, assemblied outsite Germany)1

Position 8 - 0=Manual transmission ,1=Hydraulic clutch ,2= Automatic transmission 2

Position 9-14 - Construction serial number 10704312006193

August 1983-present

Positions 1-3, World Manufacturer Identifier:

  • WDB Daimler-Benz (Daimler-Chrysler after 1999)

Position 4, model or series:

  • A W123
  • B W102 (also W107, SL class)
  • D W201
  • C W126 S-Class
  • E W124 E-Class
  • F R129 SL-Class
  • K R170 SLK-Class
  • G W140 S-Class
  • H W202 C-Class
  • J W210 E-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

Position 5, body style:

  • A = Roadster (at least for the W107)
  • B = Long Body
  • F = Sedan
  • G = Sedan Long WB
  • H = Wagon
  • J = Coupe
  • K = Cabriolet/Roadster
  • N = ? (found on 2003 C230K Coupe)
  • M = AMG
  • R = Uncertain, but applies to the W463

On older models, this indicated the engine type, through much of the 1990's:

  • A = Gasoline
  • B = Diesel
  • D = 4Matic Gasoline

Positions 6-7, model within the series:

Position 8, safety restraint system:

  • C seat belt + emergency pretensioners
  • D seat belt + emergency pretensioners, driver front air bags
  • E seat belt + emergency pretensioners, driver and passenger front air bags
  • F seat belt + emergency pretensioners, driver and passenger front and side air bags

Position 9, check digit

Position 10, model year:

  • Model Year Encoding

Position 11, production plant:

  • A-E Sindelfingen
  • F-H Bremen
  • J Rastatt
  • X Graz
  • T Karmann
  • M Woking, England (SLR)

Positions 12-17, chassis number

Commercial Vehicles

Position 1-3 WDB - Daimler Benz (WDF for V Class)

Position 4-6, Model

  • 638 - Mark 1 Vito
  • 639 - Mark 2 Vito
  • 670 - Vario
  • 901 - Sprinter
  • 902 - Sprinter
  • 903 - Sprinter
  • 904 - Sprinter
  • 905 - Sprinter
  • 930 - Actros Rigids
  • 934 - Actros MP2 tractor
  • 944 - Axor Tractor
  • 950 - Axor Rigids / Actros Mk1 Rigids
  • 954 - Actros Mk1 Tractor
  • 957 - Econic
  • 963 - NEW ACTROS MP4 (Common-Rail engine)
  • 964 - NEW ACTROS MP4 (Common-Rail engine)
  • 970 - Atego
  • 976 - Atego Fire

Position 7-9, Weight and Length code

Position 10, Drive indicator

  • 1 Left hand drive
  • 2 Right hand drive

Position 11, Plant code

Position 12-17, Serial Number

Position 18, Check Digit

Last modified on 27 April 2013, at 13:57