Free 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code that signifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, as well as additional information such as the vehicle type and production location. For the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420, the WMI “WDB” indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This WMI, coupled with the rest of the VIN, allows for the precise identification of the vehicle, including its model year, which in this case is covered from 1986 to 1991. The existence of the WMI is crucial for ensuring that every car can be uniquely identified worldwide, providing essential information for registration, service, and historical research.

List of WMI Codes for a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420

WMI: WDB

• Model Years Covered: 1986-1991
• Example VIN: WDBCA35E0LA537772
• 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 1990 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 1990 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 1990 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 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420

The final 6 characters in a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as 1990, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Manufacturing Location: It can identify the manufacturing location, indicating the vehicle was possibly produced in Sindelfingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, which might hint at specific build qualities or features.
• Vehicle Specifications: Information such as the vehicle being a Passenger Car, model 420SEL, with a body class of Sedan/Saloon, provides a clear overview of the car’s type and style.
• Safety Features: The data outlines the presence of safety features, including front and knee airbags for both driver and passenger, as well as details on the restraint system, like manual seat belts with emergency tensioning retractors.
• Doors: Identifying the vehicle has 4 doors can help understand its potential size and passenger capacity, which may be crucial for determining its suitability for certain needs or preferences.
• Plant Country: The VIN reveals the country where the vehicle was manufactured, Germany in this case, which can be an indicator of engineering standards and overall quality.
• Seat Belt Type: Specifying the seat belt type as manual offers insight into the vehicle’s safety mechanisms and the era’s standard technology.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420