Free 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters in a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designed to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle. It reveals key information about where the car was made, who made it, and the vehicle type. For example, the WMI for a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 indicates that the car was produced by Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This code, beginning with “WDB”, specifically marks it as a German-made passenger car by Mercedes-Benz, highlighting its luxurious European origins and engineering. WMIs are essential for vehicle identification, registration, and tracking purposes worldwide.

List of WMI Codes for a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420

WMI: WDB

• Model Years Covered: 1986-1991
• Example VIN: WDBCA35D0JA377395
• 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 1988 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 1988 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 1988 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 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420

The final 6 characters in a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mercedes-Benz 420’s VIN below:

VIN

Search

What info can a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1988, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Plant Location: It may reveal the manufacturing location, including the city of Sindelfingen and the country of Germany, providing insight into the vehicle’s origins.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN provides specific vehicle details, including its make and series; for instance, a 420SEL series, offering valuable information about the specific model.
• Body Class and Size: Through the VIN, one can learn about the vehicle’s body class and size, identified as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering insight into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Safety Features: Safety features such as airbag locations in the driver seat only and details about the restraint system, including manual seat belts with emergency tensioning retractors, can be derived from the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s safety measures.
• Manufacturing Details: Specific codes within the VIN, such as the vehicle descriptor “WDBCA35D*JA”, could point to unique manufacturing specifications and the vehicle’s series, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s manufacturing and features.
• Restraint System Information: The VIN gives insight into the type of restraint systems installed, such as Type 2 belts with emergency tensioning retractors for the driver and front passenger, and different belt types for rear passengers, offering valuable safety information.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420

Source