Free Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN Decoder

How to decode a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN

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

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code allocated to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to identify the manufacturing location, make, and country of origin of a vehicle. For the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, two distinct WMIs are used to signify different manufacturing periods and specifications. The WMI WDB is used for vehicles produced between 2000 and 2006, indicating that these cars were manufactured in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, denoting them as passenger cars. From 2007 to 2014, the WMI WDD took over, still signifying Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany as the city and state of manufacture for this luxury line of passenger cars. These WMIs not only help in identifying the vehicle’s origin but also play a crucial role in global vehicle recognition and registration processes.

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

WMI: WDB

• Model Years Covered: 2000-2006
• Example VIN: WDBPJ75J1YA004682
• Manufacturer Name: Mercedes-Benz Cars
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Stuttgart
• State or Province: Baden-Württemberg
• Country: Germany

WMI: WDD

• Model Years Covered: 2007-2014
• Example VIN: WDDEJ76X07A003782
• 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 CL-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 CL-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 CL-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 CL-Class VIN — Year Code

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

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

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

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

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

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, such as the year 2002, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: It may indicate the body type, like a Coupe, and the number of doors, which in this example is 2, offering insights into vehicle size and style.
• Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including its configuration (V-Shaped), displacement (5.50 L or 335.63 CI), and power (355 hp), along with the engine manufacturer (MB) and the number of cylinders (8), are encoded within the VIN.
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, such as Gasoline, is specified, which is crucial for understanding vehicle efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: Information on safety equipment, including airbag locations (front, knee, and side airbags for both 1st and 2nd rows), the presence of a pretensioner, and other restraint systems (e.g., window bags, type-2 belt with emergency tensioning retractors), can be inferred, indicating the vehicle’s potential safety standards.
• Plant Information: The VIN can provide details on the manufacturing location, including the plant city (Sindelfingen) and country (Germany), thereby offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s potential production history.
• Vehicle Identification: Specific identifiers, such as the series (CL55), trim (AMG), and a unique vehicle descriptor, may highlight the vehicle’s unique characteristics and potential market positioning.

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