How to decode a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is an integral part of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) that uniquely identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle. For instance, in the case of a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420, the WMI is “WDB,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This coding system is crucial for accurately identifying the vehicle’s make, showcasing the vehicle type as a passenger car. The use of a WMI ensures that every vehicle can be traced back to its manufacturer, providing essential information about its origin and specifications. This system is universally recognized and employed worldwide to facilitate vehicle tracking and registration.
List of WMI Codes for a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420
WMI: WDB
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1991
- Example VIN: WDBCA35D0HA290042
- 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 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420 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 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420:
| Known VDS for a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420 |
|---|
| CA35D |
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 1987 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 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| H | 1987 |
11th Character in the 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1987 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 | WDBCA35D0HA290042 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420
The final 6 characters in a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Check your Mercedes-Benz 420’s VIN below:
How to find a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420, where the VIN can typically be seen from outside the vehicle by looking at the corner of the dashboard where it meets the windshield.
- Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door pillar (the door jamb area). A VIN plate might be located there, where the door latches when it is closed.
- Examine the firewall of the vehicle’s engine bay, the VIN can sometimes be found on a plate or sticker in this area of your 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420.
- Look under the hood, and check the front of the engine block. This is a common location where the VIN might be stamped onto the metal surface.
- If your 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420 has its original paperwork, the VIN will also be listed on vehicle documents such as the title, registration, and insurance papers.
What info can a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, such as the year 1987, providing insights into the vehicle’s age and potential market value.
- Body Class: The VIN can specify the body class, indicating that the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon, offering details into the vehicle’s design and potential size.
- Manufacturing Location: Plant information from the VIN, such as the city Sindelfingen in Germany, sheds light on the vehicle’s origin and the manufacturing standards of that location.
- Safety Features: The VIN can uncover details about safety features, like the presence of front and knee airbags for the driver, providing insights into the safety measures equipped in the vehicle.
- Seat Belts: The VIN specifies the type of seat belts used in the vehicle, indicating manual belts, offering insights into the safety and convenience features available at the time of manufacture.
- Vehicle Identification: The VIN provides specific descriptors and a sample VIN, crucial for identification, historical records, and verification of authenticity.
Don’t have your 1987 Mercedes-Benz 420’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1987 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 | 1987 |
| 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*HA |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WDBCA35D0HA290042 |
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