Free 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which uniquely identifies the manufacturer of the vehicle. The WMI for a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 reveals that the vehicle is manufactured by Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. The WMI “WDB” designates not only the make and country of origin but also indicates that it is a passenger car. This coding system is crucial for accurately identifying vehicles, especially when registering, insuring, or during recalls. The specific WMI for this model indicates its premium manufacturing standards and German heritage.

List of WMI Codes for a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380

WMI: WDB

• Model Years Covered: 1981-1985
• Example VIN: WDBBA25A1BB001067
• 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 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 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 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380:

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 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 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 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380

The final 6 characters in a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380 VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle. For example, it may specify the vehicle as being from 1981.
• Manufacturing Location: The VIN often indicates the manufacturing location, revealing that a vehicle was produced in Sindelfingen, Germany. This information can give an indication of the vehicle’s origin.
• Vehicle Specifications: The VIN provides basic vehicle specifications such as the make, model (e.g., 380 SLC), and detailed engine information. It might also specify the vehicle’s manufacturing country.
• Body Class and Size: Through the VIN, the body class (e.g., Coupe) and specific configurations like the number of doors (2) and wheelbase type (Long) can be identified. This can offer detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
• Fuel Type: The VIN can indicate the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, such as gasoline. This provides information about the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: From the VIN, one could infer the type of seat belt system installed, which might be manual, indicating standard safety features for that era. This information gives an understanding of the safety standards present in the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Series: The VIN helps classify the vehicle’s broader category (e.g., Passenger Car) and might also provide insight into the series or edition, like the SLC series in this instance. This can provide a better understanding of the vehicle’s classification and specific model series.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 380

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