- What you'll get from Mercedes-Benz B-Class VIN check?
- Mercedes-Benz B-Class Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Mercedes-Benz B-Class VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Mercedes-Benz B-Class
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Mercedes-Benz B-Class VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Mercedes-Benz B-Class VIN.
- 10th Character in the Mercedes-Benz B-Class VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Mercedes-Benz B-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Mercedes-Benz B-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mercedes-Benz B-Class
- How to find a Mercedes-Benz B-Class's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mercedes-Benz B-Class
What you’ll get from Mercedes-Benz B-Class VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, for example, being the year 2015, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Engine Type: Detailed information about the engine, such as it being an In-Line, 4 cylinder engine with a 2.0 L displacement and turbocharging, can possibly be obtained from the VIN.
- Body Class and Doors: A VIN can specify the body class and door count, providing insights into the vehicle’s design and structure. For the 2015 Mercedes-Benz B-Class B250, this may indicate a Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback with 5 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s style and accessibility.
- Safety Features: VIN decoding can potentially reveal safety equipment details, including the presence of front airbags for the driver and passenger in the 1st row, side airbags for the 1st and 2nd rows, and manual seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters.
- Manufacturing Information: Details such as the country of manufacture (e.g., Germany), specific plant city (e.g., Rastatt), and the plant company name (e.g., Mercedes-Benz Cars) can possibly be encoded within the VIN.
- Destination Market: The VIN can provide insights into the intended market for the vehicle, such as Canada in this example, which may impact conformity with specific regional regulations and specifications.
- Other Detailed Specifications: Additionally, the VIN decode report can offer additional insights such as the vehicle type being designated as a Passenger Car and the presence of a turbocharger.
Mercedes-Benz B-Class 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 B-Class VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Mercedes-Benz B-Class VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences used to identify the manufacturer and region of production of vehicles globally. In the case of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class from model years 2014 to 2017, the WMI code is WDD, denoting that these vehicles were produced by Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This code is part of the broader Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which details the specifics of an individual car, including its model, year, and manufacturing location. The WMI is crucial for regulatory compliance, identification, and recall purposes, ensuring each vehicle can be traced back to its origin. For the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, this identifier confirms the vehicle as a passenger car originating from one of the most prestigious automotive regions in the world.
List of WMI Codes for a Mercedes-Benz B-Class
WMI: WDD
- Model Years Covered: 2014-2017
- Example VIN: WDDMH4EB8EJ187989
- 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 B-Class 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 B-Class 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 B-Class VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| H | 2017 Mercedes-Benz B-Class |
| G | 2016 Mercedes-Benz B-Class |
| F | 2015 Mercedes-Benz B-Class |
| E | 2014 Mercedes-Benz B-Class |
11th Character in the Mercedes-Benz B-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Mercedes-Benz B-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J | Rastatt | Germany | WDDMH4EB8EJ187989 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mercedes-Benz B-Class
The final 6 characters in a Mercedes-Benz B-Class’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 B-Class’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Mercedes-Benz B-Class 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 B-Class. The VIN can usually be seen from outside the vehicle right where the dashboard meets the glass.
- Open the driver’s side door and check the area where the door latches to the body of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. A VIN sticker or plate is often placed in the door jamb.
- Look at the vehicle registration documents or the insurance policy for your Mercedes-Benz B-Class. The VIN will be listed clearly on these legal documents.
- Examine the engine block of the Mercedes-Benz B-Class. The VIN might be stamped onto the engine itself, though you may need a flashlight to spot it.
Don’t have your Mercedes-Benz B-Class’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mercedes-Benz B-Class
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Destination Market | Canada |
| Displacement (CC) | 2000 |
| Displacement (CI) | 122.0474881894 |
| Displacement (L) | 2 |
| Doors | 5 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | B-Class |
| Model Year | 2015 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Type 2 seat belts for all occupants. Seat belts on all outboard designated seating positions are equipped with load limiters and pretensioners. |
| Plant City | Rastatt |
| Plant Company Name | Merceds-benz Cars |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | B250 |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WDDMH4EB*FJ |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample VIN | WDDMH4EB8FJ336418 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Mercedes-Benz B-Class 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 B-Class?
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 B-Class's history for free?
Enter the Mercedes-Benz B-Class’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 B-Class VIN numbers start with?
Mercedes-Benz B-Class VIN's start with WDD 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 B-Class.
Decode a Mercedes-Benz VIN
Look up a Mercedes-Benz B-Class by license plate:
Compare this vehicle to another
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today