How to decode a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560 VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560 VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which identifies the vehicle’s manufacturer. For the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560, the WMI is “WDB,” indicating that the vehicle was manufactured by Mercedes-Benz Cars, situated in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This code not only pinpoints the manufacturer but also indicates that the vehicle is a passenger car, providing insight into the type of vehicle. WMIs are crucial for the automotive industry as they ensure the traceability and authenticity of vehicles on a global scale. For enthusiasts and owners of models like the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560, the WMI offers an initial glimpse into the vehicle’s origins and engineering pedigree.
List of WMI Codes for a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560
WMI: WDB
- Model Years Covered: 1986-1991
- Example VIN: WDBCA39E0MA558715
- 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 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560 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 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560:
| Known VDS for a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560 | |
|---|---|
| CA39E | CA45E |
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 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560 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 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560 VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| M | 1991 |
11th Character in the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560 VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560 Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Sindelfingen | Baden-Württemberg | Germany | WDBCA39E0MA558715 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560
The final 6 characters in a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560 is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the driver’s side dashboard of your Mercedes-Benz 560, 1991 model. It’s common to find the VIN visible from outside the vehicle, through the bottom corner of the windshield.
- Look at the driver’s side door pillar when you open the door on your 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560. There should be a VIN plate or sticker where the door latches.
- Check under the hood of your Mercedes-Benz 560, where the VIN might also be stamped onto the engine block or affixed to the firewall.
- Inspect the trunk area of your 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560. Sometimes the VIN can be located on the floor of the trunk under the spare tire or on the trunk’s hinge.
- Review your vehicle’s paperwork; the VIN of your Mercedes-Benz 560 should be on the vehicle title, registration, and insurance documents.
What info can a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560 VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1991, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class. For the 1991 560SEL, this may indicate a Sedan/Saloon with 4 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
- Safety Features: Information encoded in the VIN may include details on safety features like airbag locations (1st Row for driver and passenger) and other restraint systems, such as belts with emergency tensioning retractors.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN provides specifics on the manufacturing location, including the city (Sindelfingen), country (Germany), and state (Baden-Württemberg), offering valuable information about the vehicle’s origin.
- Series and Model: Detailed series and model information is encapsulated within the VIN, offering insights into the specific variant of the vehicle, in the case of the 560 Series 560SEL model.
- Seat Belt Type: It may specify the type of seat belts equipped in the vehicle, such as manual seat belts in the example provided.
- Vehicle Descriptor and Type: The VIN includes a unique vehicle descriptor sequence and categorizes the vehicle type, such as a Passenger Car in this instance.
Don’t have your 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1991 Mercedes-Benz 560
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sedan/Saloon |
| Doors | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | 560 |
| 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 | 560SEL |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WDBCA39E*MA |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample_VIN | WDBCA39E0MA558715 |
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