- What you'll get from Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN check?
- Mercedes-Benz 350 Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Mercedes-Benz 350
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN.
- 10th Character in the Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Mercedes-Benz 350 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mercedes-Benz 350
- How to find a Mercedes-Benz 350's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mercedes-Benz 350
What you’ll get from Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN may reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1990, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN can offer manufacturing details, indicating that the vehicle was manufactured in Sindelfingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, showcasing the geographic origin of the vehicle.
- Vehicle Specifications: The dataset mentions specific attributes for a Sedan/Saloon, with a 3.5L (3500 CC or 213.58 CI) engine capacity, in-line engine configuration, capable of producing horsepower from 134, and has a turbocharged system, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance and design.
- Safety Features: The VIN details safety equipment including the presence of front and knee airbags located at the driver seat only, alongside other restraint system info such as Type-2 belts with emergency tensioning retractors for the driver and front passenger, providing an overview of the vehicle’s safety features.
- Fuel Type: It may specify the primary fuel type as Diesel, providing potential insights into the vehicle’s environmental footprint and fuel consumption patterns.
- Body Class and Doors: It reveals the vehicle’s body class as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, giving an idea about the vehicle’s size and capacity.
- Engine and Performance: The information may include engine details such as the number of cylinders being 6, indicating potential performance capabilities of the vehicle.
Mercedes-Benz 350 Vehicle History Risk Factors
Mercedes-Benz vehicles are sophisticated and expensive to maintain, and the used market includes a wide range of cars from meticulous single-owner buyers to high-mileage examples that have been through multiple owners and deferred maintenance. A Bumper history check on a used Mercedes addresses several high-frequency concerns.
Balance shaft and timing chain failures on M272/M273 V6 and V8 engines (2005–2011 C, E, S, ML, GL Class). Mercedes’ M272 V6 and M273 V8 engines had a documented balance shaft gear wear issue that, if left unaddressed, could cause catastrophic engine failure. Repair costs can exceed $5,000. Service records showing balance shaft replacement or inspection are critical on any Mercedes from this engine generation.
Air suspension failures on E, S, and GL Class. Mercedes’ AIRMATIC air suspension — standard on S-Class and optional on several other models — is expensive to repair when components fail ($1,500–$3,000 per corner). A sagging ride height in photos or listing descriptions is a warning sign that air suspension work is pending.
Transmission conductor plate issues on 7G-Tronic (722.9). Mercedes’ seven-speed automatic had a documented conductor plate failure mode that causes erratic shifting and transmission fault codes. Replacement conductor plates are a known maintenance item on high-mileage examples.
Salvage and rebuilt title AMG and S-Class vehicles. High-value Mercedes models — particularly AMG variants and S-Class sedans — are disproportionately represented in salvage title databases due to their high replacement values. Verify title history carefully on any Mercedes priced significantly below market value.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN
The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that is designated to every vehicle manufacturer around the globe, forming the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). For instance, Mercedes-Benz cars manufactured in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, particularly in the years 1990-1991, such as the Mercedes-Benz 350, can be identified by the WMI WDB. This code not only specifies the manufacturer but also provides insights into the vehicle type and the manufacturing location. The presence of this WMI in a vehicle’s VIN serves as a crucial tool in identifying the specific attributes and origins of a vehicle, ensuring a universal understanding across the automotive industry. Each element of the WMI plays a significant role in tracing the vehicle’s heritage and authenticity.
List of WMI Codes for a Mercedes-Benz 350
WMI: WDB
- Model Years Covered: 1990-1991
- Example VIN: WDBCB35D1LA559736
- 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 350 VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Mercedes-Benz uses a structured VDS encoding system that reflects its vehicle class hierarchy — C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, GLE, GLC, and others each have distinct VDS patterns that encode body style, engine variant, and trim configuration. The engine character within the VDS is particularly meaningful on Mercedes vehicles, where the same model nameplate can house dramatically different powertrains — a C300 may have a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder while a C43 AMG has a biturbo V6 — with correspondingly different maintenance costs and reliability profiles. For AMG models, the VDS encodes performance variant designation separately from the base model, making it possible to confirm authenticity before a pre-purchase inspection.
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 350 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 350 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| M | 1991 Mercedes-Benz 350 |
| L | 1990 Mercedes-Benz 350 |
11th Character in the Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Mercedes-Benz 350 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Sindelfingen | Baden-Württemberg | Germany | WDBCB35D1LA559736 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mercedes-Benz 350
The final 6 characters in a Mercedes-Benz 350’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Mercedes-Benz 350’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Mercedes-Benz 350 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Inspect the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your Mercedes-Benz 350, where the VIN can often be found on a small metal plate.
- Look inside the door frame or door jamb of the driver’s side door, as the Mercedes-Benz 350 may have a sticker or plate with the VIN.
- Check the vehicle registration documents or the insurance card for the Mercedes-Benz 350, as these documents typically list the VIN.
- Examine the engine block, as VINs are sometimes stamped onto a part of the engine in vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz 350.
- Review the owner’s manual or maintenance records for the Mercedes-Benz 350, as the VIN is often recorded in these documents for reference.
Don’t have your Mercedes-Benz 350’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mercedes-Benz 350
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Displacement (CC) | 3500.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 213.58310433156 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.5 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 134 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Diesel |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | 350 |
| Model Year | 1991 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Type - 2 Belt with Emergency Tensioning Retractors ( Driver And Front Passenger) Type -2 Belts (Outboard Rear) Lap Belt (Center Rear) |
| Plant City | Sindelfingen |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Plant State | Baden-Württemberg |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | SDL |
| Trim | Turbo |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WDBCB35E*MA |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample VIN | WDBCB35E0MA583083 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Mercedes-Benz %!s(int=350) for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Mercedes-Benz 350?
On most Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Mercedes-Benz 350's history for free?
Enter the Mercedes-Benz 350’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN numbers start with?
Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN's start with WDB for vehicles manufactured by Mercedes-Benz Cars in Germany. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Mercedes-Benz 350.
Decode a Mercedes-Benz VIN
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