- What you'll get from Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN check?
- Mercedes-Benz 420 Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Mercedes-Benz 420
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN.
- 10th Character in the Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Mercedes-Benz 420 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mercedes-Benz 420
- How to find a Mercedes-Benz 420's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mercedes-Benz 420
What you’ll get from Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as being the year 1989 and may fall within the year range of 1986 to 1991, giving insights into the vehicle’s potential historical value and era.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN details a 420 model with a series designation of 420SEL, categorized as a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, possibly highlighting characteristic features of the vehicle’s design and segment.
- Manufacturing Details and Location: The production location of Sindelfingen, Germany, is identified, possibly suggesting a connection to a specific lineage of manufacturing excellence within the automotive industry.
- Safety Features and Restraint Systems: The VIN points to safety specifications, such as the presence of front and knee airbags located at the driver’s seat only, possibly indicating the vehicle’s safety equipment. Additional details on restraint systems, such as emergency tensioning retractors for the driver and front passenger, and different belt configurations for rear passengers, offer a deeper understanding of the vehicle’s safety mechanisms.
- Seat Belt Type: A manual seat belt type is specified, which may provide insight into the restraint systems installed in the vehicle for both driver and passengers.
- Plant Information: Specific details such as the plant in Sindelfingen, Baden-Württemberg in Germany are provided, shedding light on the vehicle’s production origin.
Mercedes-Benz 420 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 420 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or -digit code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). It serves as the first section of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which helps in identifying key attributes of the vehicle, including its manufacturer, model year, and place of production. For instance, Mercedes-Benz cars manufactured in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, bear the WMI code WDB, indicating their prestigious origin. This code is particularly found on models like the Mercedes-Benz 420 produced between 1986 and 1991, signifying not just the make but also the specific region within Germany where these luxury passenger cars were crafted. Such a system ensures a standardized method for identifying vehicles worldwide, aiding in various services from registration to recalls.
List of WMI Codes for a Mercedes-Benz 420
WMI: WDB
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1991
- Example VIN: WDBCA35D0GA206199
- 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 420 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 420 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 420 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| M | 1991 Mercedes-Benz 420 |
| L | 1990 Mercedes-Benz 420 |
| K | 1989 Mercedes-Benz 420 |
| J | 1988 Mercedes-Benz 420 |
| H | 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420 |
| G | 1986 Mercedes-Benz 420 |
11th Character in the Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Mercedes-Benz 420 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Sindelfingen | Baden-Württemberg | Germany | WDBCA35D0GA206199 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mercedes-Benz 420
The final 6 characters in a Mercedes-Benz 420’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a Mercedes-Benz 420’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Mercedes-Benz 420 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the dashboard near the windshield on the driver’s side, as the Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN can typically be found here.
- Inspect the driver’s side door post (where the door latches when it is closed) for a sticker that may contain the VIN.
- Look for the VIN on the vehicle registration documents, as it will be listed for identification purposes.
- Check your Mercedes-Benz 420’s insurance card or insurance policy documents. The VIN is often listed with your vehicle information.
- If your vehicle has it, examine the engine block for the VIN, as it is sometimes stamped onto the engine by the manufacturer.
Don’t have your Mercedes-Benz 420’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mercedes-Benz 420
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Doors | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | Driver Seat Only |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | Driver Seat Only |
| Model | 420 |
| Model Year | 1986 |
| 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 | 420SEL |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WDBCA35D*GA |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample VIN | WDBCA35D0GA206199 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Mercedes-Benz %!s(int=420) 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 420?
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 420's history for free?
Enter the Mercedes-Benz 420’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 420 VIN numbers start with?
Mercedes-Benz 420 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 420.
Decode a Mercedes-Benz VIN
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