Free 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a unique sequence of characters assigned to every car manufacturer to identify the make of a vehicle globally. These codes reveal essential details about the vehicle, including the manufacturer’s name, vehicle type, and the country where it was manufactured. For example, Mercedes-Benz cars made between 1986 and 1991 have a WMI starting with “WDB,” indicating they were produced by Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and are classified as passenger cars. This coding system is crucial in distinguishing vehicles, especially when models or manufacturing locations vary across countries. The 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 is one such vehicle that can be identified by this unique WMI, underscoring its origin and build specifics.

List of WMI Codes for a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420

WMI: WDB

• Model Years Covered: 1986-1991
• Example VIN: WDBCA35D0GA206199
• Manufacturer Name: Mercedes-Benz Cars
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Stuttgart
• State or Province: Baden-Württemberg
• Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420

The final 6 characters in a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially being the year 1986, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Location: Production details are embedded in the VIN, showcasing that the vehicle was possibly manufactured in Sindelfingen, Germany, in the state of Baden-Württemberg, which may indicate the origin of the vehicle and provide insights into manufacturing standards.
• Vehicle Specifications: Key information about the make and model can be decoded, such as it possibly being a 420 series 420SEL, indicating both the model and the specific variant of the vehicle.
• Body Type and Size: The VIN can potentially provide insights into the vehicle’s body class and size, possibly identifying it as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering potential insights into the vehicle’s design and functionality.
• Safety Features: The VIN details the possible presence of front and knee airbags located at the driver’s seat only, alongside the type of seat belt system equipped - potentially manual, with emergency tensioning retractors for the driver and front passenger, offering potential insights into the safety features of the vehicle.
• Seat Belt and Airbag Details: Additional safety mechanisms are possibly described in the VIN, including the possible seat belt type being manual and highlighting the varied restraint systems available across different seating positions.
• Plant Details: The specific city and country of the vehicle’s production plant may be notable, pinpointing the manufacturing location to Sindelfingen, Germany, which can inform the user about the vehicular standards and quality adherence of the manufacturing site.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420