Free Mercedes-Benz C-Class VIN Decoder

How to decode a Mercedes-Benz C-Class VIN

Characters 1-3 of a Mercedes-Benz C-Class VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, make, and country of origin. For the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, these WMIs, such as WDB for models between 1994-2007, WDD for 2008-2020, 55S for 2015-2020, and W1K for 2020-2024, not only pinpoint the vehicle’s manufacturing lineage but also indicate the specific time frames during which different series were produced. These codes are essential in understanding the background and specifics of each Mercedes-Benz C-Class vehicle, reflecting their origin in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and affirming their status as passenger cars.

List of WMI Codes for a Mercedes-Benz C-Class

WMI: WDB

• Model Years Covered: 1994-2007
• Example VIN: WDBHA28E0RF018129
• Manufacturer Name: Mercedes-Benz Cars
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Stuttgart
• State or Province: Baden-Württemberg
• Country: Germany

WMI: WDD

• Model Years Covered: 2008-2020
• Example VIN: WDDGF54X08R010610
• Manufacturer Name: Mercedes-Benz Cars
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Stuttgart
• State or Province: Baden-Württemberg
• Country: Germany

WMI: 55S

• Model Years Covered: 2015-2020
• Example VIN: 55SWF4KB0FU000295
• Manufacturer Name: Mercedes-Benz Cars
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Stuttgart
• State or Province: Baden-Württemberg
• Country: Germany

WMI: W1K

• Model Years Covered: 2020-2024
• Example VIN: W1KWJ8GB3LF994373
• 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 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 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 Mercedes-Benz C-Class:

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 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 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 Mercedes-Benz C-Class VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the Mercedes-Benz C-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known Mercedes-Benz C-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mercedes-Benz C-Class

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

What info can a Mercedes-Benz C-Class VIN reveal?

• Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as the year 2020, indicating insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle as part of the C-Class series.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN may provide details on the engine, possibly an inline-4 configuration with 2000 CC displacement, manufactured by Daimler, and designated as the M264 model. It might also indicate features like turbocharging and a gasoline direct injection fuel system.
• Safety Features: Standard safety installations, as indicated by the VIN, can possibly include features like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). It may also specify the presence of front airbags for the driver and passenger, as well as side airbags for both the 1st and 2nd rows.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: The VIN information may suggest that the primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, aligning with the increasing trend for fuel efficiency and environmental considerations in modern vehicle designs.
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Although not explicitly mentioned in the provided data, the VIN may offer insights into the presence or absence of advanced features like Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) or Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA). It may also specify standard features such as Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) and a backup camera.
• Body Class and Design: The VIN can potentially specify the vehicle’s body as a Sedan/Saloon with four doors, designed for a refined and comfortable driving experience.
• Plant Information: The manufacturing details, possibly provided by the VIN, include the plant city of Vance and the country as the United States, indicating insights into the vehicle’s assembly location and production background.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mercedes-Benz C-Class