Free VIN decoder
Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder
Decode a Mercedes VIN character by character: WDB, WDD and W1K explained, the model series digits from 203 to 213, why position 10 is the steering side and not the year, and a free check of the exact car.
Updated 8 September 2026
Example: Free preview included
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How the free check works
Enter a Mercedes VIN in the box above and we check it against official registries and manufacturer build data, with a free preview of what exists for the exact car. The Mercedes layout rewards reading by hand more than most: the six digits after the WMI name the model series and variant outright, and position 10 tells you the steering side, not the year.
Mercedes WMI codes (characters 1 to 3)
The opening code moved twice over the years, so the era of the car decides what you see:
| Code | What they say |
|---|---|
WDB | Mercedes-Benz, the classic code carried by most cars up to the 2010s |
WDD | Mercedes-Benz passenger cars of the later 2000s and 2010s |
WDC | Mercedes-Benz SUVs of the same era |
W1K | Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, from about 2019 |
W1N | Mercedes-Benz SUVs, from about 2019 |
4JG | Mercedes-Benz USA, Tuscaloosa (GLE, GLS and their predecessors) |
The big Mercedes SUVs were always built in Alabama, so a European market GLE bought new here still opens with 4JG. What matters is where the car was FIRST REGISTERED, and that is a records question: an American first life means auction and insurance history that only a paid check surfaces.
The six digits that name the car (characters 4 to 9)
Mercedes writes its internal model designation straight into the VIN: the first three digits are the model series, the next three the body and engine variant. Then position 10 is the steering side, 1 for left hand drive and 2 for right, and position 11 is the assembly code, commonly read as A and B for Sindelfingen, F for Bremen and J for Rastatt.
| Code | Model and generation |
|---|---|
176 | A-Class (2012 to 2018) |
177 | A-Class (2018 on) |
246 | B-Class (2011 to 2019) |
203 | C-Class (2000 to 2007) |
204 | C-Class (2007 to 2014) |
205 | C-Class (2014 to 2021) |
206 | C-Class (2021 on) |
211 | E-Class (2002 to 2009) |
212 | E-Class (2009 to 2016) |
213 | E-Class (2016 to 2024) |
221 | S-Class (2005 to 2013) |
222 | S-Class (2013 to 2020) |
156 | GLA (2013 to 2020) |
253 | GLC (2015 to 2022) |
166 | ML and GLE (2011 to 2019) |
167 | GLE (2019 on) |
447 | V-Class (2014 on) |
A Mercedes VIN, decoded
WDD2050421A123456
Take this C-Class VIN as a structural example:
| VIN characters | What this part says |
|---|---|
WDD | Mercedes-Benz passenger car of the WDD era. |
205 | The C-Class of 2014 to 2021. |
042 | The body and engine variant within the series. |
1 | Left hand drive. A 2 here would be a right hand drive car. |
A | Assembly code, commonly read as Sindelfingen. |
123456 | The serial number of the individual car. |
Where is the year in a Mercedes VIN?
Not in it, on a European market car. Mercedes uses position 10 for the steering side, so reading it against the industry year table gives nonsense, and many generic decoders do exactly that. Cars built for North America follow the American layout and do carry a year character.
The build date of a European Mercedes comes from factory records reached through the full VIN, which is what the check above does, and the registration document carries the first registration.
What the free check adds
The VIN describes the car as built. The check above adds what happened since: odometer readings recorded at inspections and services across 30+ European countries, damage and theft records, the import trail, and the manufacturer build data where it is available for the make.
The preview of what exists for the exact car is free, and only the full history report is paid. If the preview looks empty, you have lost nothing.
Where to find the VIN on the car
Check at least two locations and make sure they agree with each other and with the documents. A VIN that differs between locations is a walk away flag on its own.
- Windscreen base visible from outside through the glass on the driver side.
- Door jamb sticker on the driver side B pillar on most cars.
- Body stamp under the bonnet, under a floor flap, or in the boot, depending on the make.
- Documents the registration certificate and the service book both carry it, and both must match the metal.
Works for every Mercedes-Benz
The check reads the VIN, not the badge, so every model is covered. The ones buyers look up most:
The same decoding sits behind our partner API: send a VIN, get the identity and the recorded history back as JSON. Dealers, marketplaces and fleets use it to check cars before listing them.
Read the VIN decoder API reference →
Decode your VIN now
See what the registries hold on the exact car: recorded mileage, damage, imports and the factory build. The preview of the findings is free.
Example: WVWZZZ1JZ3W386752Free preview included
Not ready yet? See a full sample report
Frequently asked questions
Can I decode a Mercedes VIN for free?
Yes. The tables on this page decode the structure by hand, including the model series digits, and the check box runs the VIN against official registries and manufacturer build data with a free preview. Only the full history report is paid.
What do the six digits after WDD or W1K mean?
The first three are the model series, the next three the body and engine variant: 205 is the C-Class of 2014 to 2021, 213 the E-Class of 2016 to 2024. The series table on this page covers the generations common on the used market.
What does the 10th character of a Mercedes VIN mean?
On a European market car it is the steering side: 1 for left hand drive, 2 for right. It is NOT a year code, which is the most common mistake generic decoders make with Mercedes VINs. The year comes from factory records, which is what our check reads.
What can a VIN check tell me that the VIN itself cannot?
Everything that happened after the factory: odometer readings recorded at inspections and services, damage and theft records, the import trail across countries, and the factory specification to compare against the advert. The preview of those findings is free at MrVIN.
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MrVIN is operated by VERIFY SIA and is independent of the maker of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Mercedes-Benz and the model names on this page are trademarks of their owners, used only to identify the vehicles this page is about.