27.

Mercedes Vehicle Identification Code (VIN)

Bron: http://www.autohausaz.com
Know Your VIN & Get Exactly The RIGHT Mercedes Repair Parts Every Time
Note: Very much focussed on US models??

Vehicle identification numbers (also called VINs) are critical pieces of information for
identifying the exact Mercedes you have and the engine that was put into it when it was
built. A car‘s vehicle identification number (VIN) is the automotive equivalent of human DNA.

History of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

In the mid 1950s, American automobile manufacturers began stamping and casting
identifying numbers on cars and their parts. The obvious purpose was to give an accurate
description of the vehicle as mass production numbers were starting to climb to very
significant numbers. Research has shown that early VINs came in all sorts of variations,
depending on the car manufacturer.

In the early 1980s, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began requiring that
all road vehicles contain a 17-character VIN. This established the fixed VIN system for major
vehicle manufacturers as it is known today and thus, created a unique "DNA" style number
for each unique vehicle that rolled off the assembly line.

The Vehicle Identification Number was "officially" described in ISO Standard 3779 in
February 1977 and last revised in 1983.

Explanation of Unique Identifiers Within Your Mercedes' VIN

Vehicle identification numbers are standardized - all contain 17 characters. VIN characters
may be capital letters A through Z and numbers 1 through 0; however, the letters I, O and Q
are never used in order to avoid mistakes of misreading. No signs or spaces are allowed in
the VIN.

The position of each letter or number in the VIN code reveals important information about
where and when your Mercedes was made, the type of engine it has, the model or series of
the car, various equipment/attributes and its production sequence. Each character or digit
has a particular purpose as follows:

1st Character: The 1st character of your Mercedes' vehicle identification number identifies
the country where it was manufactured.

VIN Character 1 - Manufacturing Country Codes

1 or 4 2 3 J K S W Z
USA Canada Mexico Japan Korea England Germany Italy

2nd Character: The 2nd character in your Mercedes' VIN specifies the manufacturer, for
example:

VIN Character 2 - Car Manufacturer Codes

A B H A D N T V V
Audi BMW Honda Jaguar Mercedes Nissan Toyota Volvo VW

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 27. Mercedes Vehicle Identification Code (VIN)

3rd Character: The 3rd character in your Mercedes' vehicle identification number indicates
the vehicle type or manufacturing division. This varies among car makes and models.

4th - 8th Character: The 4th through 8th characters in your Mercedes' VIN reveals its
features/attributes, such as body style, engine type, model, series, etc. Again, this varies
widely among car makes, models and equipment.

9th Character: The 9th character in your Mercedes' vehicle identification number is a VIN
accuracy check digit, verifying the previous numbers within the VIN. This check digit is a
single number or letter "X" used to verify the accuracy of the transcription of the vehicle
identification number.

There is a precise method for obtaining the check digit; however, it is not relevant to our
discussion here. Suffice to say that after all other characters in the VIN have been
determined by the manufacturer, the check digit is calculated by carrying out a mathematical
computation. The correct numeric remainder - zero through nine (0-9) will appear. However,
if the remainder is 10 the letter "X" is used to designate the check digit value.

10th Character: The 10th character in your Mercedes' VIN tells you the model year. (This
varies somewhat among car manufacturers - see the chart in the "Here's How to Find Your
Car's VIN" section below for specific locations by car make.)

VIN Character - Model Year Codes

1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990
B C D E F G H J K L

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
M N P R S T V W X Y

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A

11th Character: The 11th character in your Mercedes' vehicle identification number reveals
the assembly plant for the vehicle.

12th - 17th Character: The 12th through the 17th character in your Mercedes' VIN indicate
the sequence of the vehicle for production as it rolled off the manufacturer's assembly line.
The last four characters are always numeric.

These last six characters are perhaps the most critical portion of the VIN for most European
cars. Because of mid-year production changes by car makers, these can be extremely
important in identifying the proper part numbers for ignition, fuel, emission and engine
components. These types of parts are often listed with the caveat that

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 27. Mercedes Vehicle Identification Code (VIN)

Here's How to Find Your Mercedes' VIN

The table below will help you locate your Mercedes' unique DNA - its unique vehicle
identification number. VINs are normally located in several locations on a car, but the most
common places are:

- On the door frame/door post of the front doors (usually driver's but sometimes
passenger's)
- On the dash near the windshield
- On the engine itself (machined pad on front of engine)
- On the car's firewall
- In the left-hand inner wheel arch
- On the steering wheel/steering column
- On the radiator support bracket
- On your car's title, registration, guarantee/maintenance book or on the declarations page
of your auto insurance policy

The following chart gives further information (by car line) on both the location of the VIN
plate and which character in your VIN represents your year of production and specific
engine. We have limited the listings to only import cars since those are the car lines in which
Autohaus specializes. Those shown in blue are car makes for which we have extensive
parts inventories.

Year*
Car Engine
C
M C
Models Location of VIN Plate o
ak od
d
e e
e
Acura All Left side of dash (thru windshield) 10th See Note A

Left side of dash (thru windshield)

Audi All 10th See Note B
Top center of firewall

Left side of dash (thru windshield)

BMW All 10th See Note A
Right inner fender

Left side of dash (thru windshield)

Daihatsu All 10th 8th
Firewall

Left windshield post (thru windshield)

Honda All 10th See Note A
Top right of firewall

Hyundai All Left side of dash (thru windshield) 10th 8th

Left side of dash (thru windshield)

Infiniti All 10th 4th
Firewall

10th
1 8th
Pickup Left door post
Isuzu 0 8t
All others excl. above Left side of dash (thru windshield)
t h
h

10th
Left side of dash (thru windshield) 5th
All (thru '84)
Firewall, Left door post 1
Jaguar
Left side of dash (thru windshield) 0 8t
All ('85-On)
Firewall, Left door post t h
h

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 27. Mercedes Vehicle Identification Code (VIN)

Lexus All Left side of dash (thru windshield) 10th 4th

Mazda All Left side of dash (thru windshield) 10th See Note A

See Note A
S
Mercedes See Note D
e
B 1
All (thru '85) Left windshield post (thru windshield) e
e 0
All ('86-On) Left windshield post (thru windshield) N
n t
ot
z h
e
A

Mitsubishi All Left side of dash (thru windshield) 10th 8th

See Note C

S
e
e
10th
N
ot
1
e
0
C
Left side of dash (thru windshield) t
Axxess, Van
Front left floor panel h
S
Left side of dash (thru windshield)
Pickup, Pathfinder e
Right inner fender 1
Nissan e
Left side of dash (thru windshield) 0
280Z, ZX N
Right strut housing t
ot
Left side of dash (thru windshield) h
All others excl. above e
Firewall
C
1
0
S
t
e
h
e
N
ot
e
C

Porsche All Left windshield post (thru windshield) 10th See Note A

Rover NA NA NA NA

10th
Left side of dash (thru windshield) 7th
All (thru '83)
Left door post, Right inner fender 1
Saab
Left side of dash (thru windshield) 0 8t
All ('84-On)
Left door post, Right inner fender t h
h

Subaru All Left windshield post (thru windshield) 10th 6th

10th
1 6th
'86-88 Samurai Left door post
Suzuki 0 6t
All others excl. above Left side of dash (thru windshield)
t h
h

Toyota All Left side of dash (thru windshield) 10th 4th

VW Vanagon Left side of dash (thru windshield) 10th See Note B

Right door post
Dasher, Quantum Left side of dash (thru windshield) 1 S
Right inner fender 0 e
Fox, Passat, Golf, Left side of dash (thru windshield) t e
Jetta, Rabbit, Scirocco h N
ot
1 e
0 B

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 27. Mercedes Vehicle Identification Code (VIN)

S
e
t e
h N
ot
e
B

10th 6th, 7th

Left side of dash (thru windshield)
240, 260
Right inner fender 1 6t
Volvo
Left side of dash (thru windshield) 0 h,
All others excl. above
Right radiator fender t 7t
h h

Footnotes
Note A Cannot determine the engine through the VIN code.

Cannot determine the engine through the VIN code.

Note B
On certain models for certain years the engine may be determined by the 5th digit.

Cannot determine the engine through the VIN code.

Note C
On certain models for certain years the engine may be determined by the 2nd digit.

Note D Cannot determine the model year through the VIN code.

Return To Top of Chart

* See Year Codes Chart to interpret this character

Online VIN Decoders To Help You

If you'd like to have your VIN "decoded" for you, there are several resources on the Internet
that can be of assistance. By knowing your VIN, these resources can tell you some very
specific information about your Mercedes that can help you in your search for the right
repair parts:

VIN Power: Input your email address and your Mercedes' VIN in the boxes and complete
information on your unique car will be emailed to you.

CarFax Vehicle History Reports: Enter your Mercedes' VIN in the box where it says, "Get
started now with our FREE CarFax Record Check. Enter a VIN and click Search." You'll be
provided online with several important pieces of information about your specific Mercedes'
features.

AnalogX VIN View: AnalogX VIN View is another free online VIN decoder that allows you to
see the information about your Mercedes based on your car's vehicle identification number.
VIN View supports decoding of any vehicle identification number that was issued after 1978.
Just enter the 17-character VIN number and click decode. On the decoded page, you'll see
your VIN again and the position of each character, then on the bottom portion you'll see
what position and characters map to what information.

Vehicle Identification Numbers: This is another good source for information in your car's
VIN. Just select the car line(s) for which you're interested in seeing VIN explanations and
you'll be transferred to site(s) that can help you in your decoding quest.

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 27. Mercedes Vehicle Identification Code (VIN)

Year Codes Chart for Mercedes 1969 - 1973

More: See Year Codes Chart

1973 MERCEDES
Model Chassis Liters Cyl Fuel N/T/S* Eng Num
220 115.010 2.2 L4 GAS - CARB N 115.920
220D 115.110 2.2 L4 DIESEL - FI N 615.912
280 114.060 2.8 L6 GAS - CARB N 110.921
280C 114.073 2.8 L6 GAS - CARB N 110.921
280SE 117.984 4.5 V8 GAS - FI N 108.067
280SEL 108.068 4.5 V8 GAS - FI N 117.984
300SEL 109.057 4.5 V8 GAS - FI N 117.981
450SE 116.032 4.5 V8 GAS - FI N 117.983
450SEL 116.033 4.5 V8 GAS - FI N 117.983
450SL 107.044 4.5 V8 GAS - FI N 117.982
450SLC 107.024 4.5 V8 GAS - FI N 117.982

1972 MERCEDES
Model Chassis Liters Cyl Fuel N/T/S* Eng Num
220 115.010 2.2 L4 GAS - CARB N 115.920
220D 115.110 2.2 L4 DIESEL - FI N 615.912
250 114.011 2.8 L6 GAS - CARB N 130.923
250C 114.023 2.8 L6 GAS - CARB N 130.923
280SE 108.018 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.980
280SEL 108.068 4.5 V8 GAS - FI N 117.984
300SEL 109.057 4.5 V8 GAS - FI N 117.981
350SL 107.04X 4.5 V8 GAS - FI N 117.982

1971 MERCEDES
Model Chassis Liters Cyl Fuel N/T/S* Eng Num
220 115.010 2.2 L4 GAS - CARB N 115.920
220D 115.110 2.2 L4 DIESEL - FI N 615.912
250 114.011 2.8 L6 GAS - CARB N 130.923
250C 114.023 2.8 L6 GAS - CARB N 130.923
280S 108.016 2.8 L6 GAS - CARB N 130.920
280SE 108.018 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.980
280SEL 108.019 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.980
280SL 113.044 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.983
300SEL 109.056 3.5 V8 GAS - FI N 116.981

1970 MERCEDES
Model Chassis Liters Cyl Fuel N/T/S* Eng Num
220 115.010 2.2 L4 GAS - CARB N 115.920
220D 115.110 2.2 L4 DIESEL - FI N 615.912
250 114.010 2.5 L6 GAS - CARB N 114.920
250C 114.023 2.8 L6 GAS - CARB N 130.923
280S 108.016 2.8 L6 GAS - CARB N 130.920
280SE 108.018 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.980
280SE 111.026 3.5 V8 GAS - FI N 116.980
280SEL 108.019 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.980
280SL 113.044 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.983
300SEL 109.056 3.5 V8 GAS - FI N 116.981

1969 MERCEDES
Model Chassis Liters Cyl Fuel N/T/S* Eng Num

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 27. Mercedes Vehicle Identification Code (VIN)

220 115.010 2.2 L4 GAS - CARB N 115.920

220D 115.110 2.2 L4 DIESEL - FI N 615.912
230 114.015 2.3 L6 GAS - CARB N 180.954
250 114.010 2.5 L6 GAS - CARB N 114.920
280S 108.016 2.8 L6 GAS - CARB N 130.920
280SE 108.018 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.980
280SEL 108.019 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.980
280SL 113.044 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.983
300SEL 109.016 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.981

1968 MERCEDES
Model Chassis Liters Cyl Fuel N/T/S* Eng Num
200D 110.110 2.0 L4 DIESEL - FI N 621.918
220 115.010 2.2 L4 GAS - CARB N 115.920
230 114.015 2.3 L6 GAS - CARB N 180.954
250 114.010 2.5 L6 GAS - CARB N 114.920
280S 108.016 2.8 L6 GAS - CARB N 130.920
280SE 108.018 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.980
280SEL 108.019 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.980
280SL 113.044 2.8 L6 GAS - CARB N 130.983
300SEL 109.016 2.8 L6 GAS - FI N 130.981

1967 MERCEDES
Model Chassis Liters Cyl Fuel N/T/S* Eng Num
200 110.010 2.0 L4 GAS - CARB N 121.940
200D 110.110 2.0 L4 DIESEL - FI N 621.918
230 110.011 2.3 L6 GAS - CARB N
230S 111.010 2.3 L6 GAS - CARB N 180.947
250S 108.012 2.5 L6 GAS - CARB N 108.920
250SE 108.014 2.5 L6 GAS - CARB N 129.980
250SL 113.043 2.5 L6 GAS - CARB N 129.982
*Indicates N for Non-Turbo, T for Turbo and S for Supercharged.

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