Free 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), designating the manufacturer of the vehicle, its type, and the country of production. For the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class, the WMI indicates that it is a passenger car produced by Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This code serves as a global standard for identifying vehicle manufacturers and is essential for registering, titling, and insuring the vehicle. It helps in tracking recalls, registrations, warranty claims, thefts, and insurance coverage. Thus, the WMI is crucial in the automotive industry for both regulatory and production control purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

WMI: WDB

• Model Years Covered: 1998-2011
• Example VIN: WDBKK47F0WF007443
• 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 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-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 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-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 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-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 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class VIN reveal?

• Model Year and Make: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1998, possibly providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle. The manufacturer’s name, such as MB for Mercedes-Benz, may also be decoded from the VIN.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: Information such as the vehicle being a Passenger Car and its specific body class, like Convertible/Cabriolet, can be decoded from the VIN, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN can provide insight into the vehicle’s engine, possibly including its configuration (e.g., In-Line), displacement in liters (e.g., 2.3 L), and horsepower (e.g., 185 hp).
• Fuel Type: The primary fuel type the vehicle is designed to use, such as Gasoline, may be detailed, offering clarity on the vehicle’s fuel requirements.
• Safety Features: Details regarding safety features, including front and side airbag locations (e.g., 1st Row for both driver and passenger) and other restraint systems like Type-2 manual seat belts with Emergency Tensioning Retractors, can possibly be uncovered, enhancing understanding of the vehicle’s safety capabilities.
• Manufacturing Information: Specifics, such as the plant city (e.g., Bremen) and country (e.g., Germany) where the vehicle was manufactured, may be included in the VIN, adding depth to the vehicle’s manufacturing history.
• Model and Series: The specific model (e.g., SLK-Class) and series (e.g., SLK230) may be part of the information a VIN can reveal, contributing to the vehicle’s identification.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class

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