Free Mercedes-Benz SL-Class VIN Decoder

How to decode a Mercedes-Benz SL-Class VIN

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

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code that identifies every manufacturer of motor vehicles globally. Specifically for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, a series of luxury passenger cars, WMIs such as WDB (covering model years from 1994 to 2009 and 2011-2012), WDD (for model years 2013 to 2020), and W1K (for the years 2020, and 2022 to 2023) denote vehicles that were manufactured by Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. These WMIs provide valuable information that helps in identifying the specific make, model, and type of vehicle, emphasizing the global recognition and historical evolution of the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class from its manufacturing origins to the present day.

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

WMI: WDB

• Model Years Covered: 1994-2009, 2011-2012
• Example VIN: WDBFA76E0RF088513
• Manufacturer Name: Mercedes-Benz Cars
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Stuttgart
• State or Province: Baden-Württemberg
• Country: Germany

WMI: WDD

• Model Years Covered: 2013-2020
• Example VIN: WDDJK7DA0DF001152
• Manufacturer Name: Mercedes-Benz Cars
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Stuttgart
• State or Province: Baden-Württemberg
• Country: Germany

WMI: W1K

• Model Years Covered: 2020, 2022-2023
• Example VIN: W1KJK6GA0LF060108
• 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 SL-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 SL-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 SL-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 SL-Class VIN — Year Code

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

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

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

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

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

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2020, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
• Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class and size, such as Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Type: It can reveal detailed engine information, such as the M278 engine model from Daimler, indicating an engine with 4.70 liters displacement, a V-Shaped configuration, and equipped with 8 cylinders.
• Safety Features: A VIN decode can indicate the presence of standard safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), and Front Air Bag Locations (1st Row for Driver and Passenger), showcasing the vehicle’s commitment to safety.
• Fuel Type and Efficiency: It can provide insights into the vehicle’s fuel system, revealing that it operates on Gasoline, which is a crucial factor for potential buyers focusing on fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Transmission and Performance: The transmission style and speed can be identified, such as an automatic transmission with 9 speeds, alongside performance features like direct fuel injection and turbo, giving a glimpse into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
• Manufacturing Information: Information on the manufacturing location (Bremen, Germany), along with specific identification codes, can authenticate the vehicle’s origin and provide background on its assembly.

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