- What you'll get from Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN check?
- Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN.
- 10th Character in the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
- How to find a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
What you’ll get from Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year, such as the year 2002, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Doors: It may indicate the body type, like a Coupe, and the number of doors, which in this example is 2, offering insights into vehicle size and style.
- Engine Specifications: Details about the engine, including its configuration (V-Shaped), displacement (5.50 L or 335.63 CI), and power (355 hp), along with the engine manufacturer (MB) and the number of cylinders (8), are encoded within the VIN.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type, such as Gasoline, is specified, which is crucial for understanding vehicle efficiency and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: Information on safety equipment, including airbag locations (front, knee, and side airbags for both 1st and 2nd rows), the presence of a pretensioner, and other restraint systems (e.g., window bags, type-2 belt with emergency tensioning retractors), can be inferred, indicating the vehicle’s potential safety standards.
- Plant Information: The VIN can provide details on the manufacturing location, including the plant city (Sindelfingen) and country (Germany), thereby offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s potential production history.
- Vehicle Identification: Specific identifiers, such as the series (CL55), trim (AMG), and a unique vehicle descriptor, may highlight the vehicle’s unique characteristics and potential market positioning.
Mercedes-Benz CL-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 CL-Class VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code allocated to every vehicle manufacturer by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) to identify the manufacturing location, make, and country of origin of a vehicle. For the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, two distinct WMIs are used to signify different manufacturing periods and specifications. The WMI WDB is used for vehicles produced between 2000 and 2006, indicating that these cars were manufactured in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, denoting them as passenger cars. From 2007 to 2014, the WMI WDD took over, still signifying Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany as the city and state of manufacture for this luxury line of passenger cars. These WMIs not only help in identifying the vehicle’s origin but also play a crucial role in global vehicle recognition and registration processes.
List of WMI Codes for a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
WMI: WDB
- Model Years Covered: 2000-2006
- Example VIN: WDBPJ75J1YA004682
- Manufacturer Name: Mercedes-Benz Cars
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Stuttgart
- State or Province: Baden-Württemberg
- Country: Germany
WMI: WDD
- Model Years Covered: 2007-2014
- Example VIN: WDDEJ76X07A003782
- 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 CL-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 CL-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 CL-Class VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| E | 2014 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| D | 2013 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| C | 2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| B | 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| A | 2010 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| 9 | 2009 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| 8 | 2008 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| 7 | 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| 6 | 2006 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| 5 | 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| 4 | 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| 3 | 2003 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| 2 | 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| 1 | 2001 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
| Y | 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class |
11th Character in the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Mercedes-Benz CL-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Sindelfingen | Germany | WDBPJ75J1YA004682 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
The final 6 characters in a Mercedes-Benz CL-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 CL-Class’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. The VIN should be visible from outside the vehicle.
- Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb area. Your Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN might be located on a sticker or plate where the door locks when closed.
- Examine the vehicle’s registration documents. The VIN of your Mercedes-Benz CL-Class should be clearly printed on your registration paperwork.
- Review your Mercedes-Benz CL-Class insurance card or insurance policy documents. The VIN is typically listed along with other important vehicle information.
- If your Mercedes-Benz CL-Class has it, the VIN might also be found on the engine block. This location can require a bit more effort to access and may necessitate opening the hood.
Don’t have your Mercedes-Benz CL-Class’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Coupe |
| Displacement (CC) | 5500.00 |
| Displacement (CI) | 335.630592521027 |
| Displacement (L) | 5.50 |
| Doors | 2 |
| Engine Brake (hp) From | 355 |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | MB |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Knee Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Model | CL-Class |
| Model Year | 2002 |
| Other Restraint System Info | Window Bags, Type-2 Belt with Emergency Tensioning Retractors, Air Bag, Knee Bolster, Side Impact Air Bag in Door |
| Plant City | Sindelfingen |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | Germany |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | CL55 |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Trim | AMG |
| Vehicle Descriptor | WDBPJ73J*2A |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample VIN | WDBPJ73J02A020382 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Mercedes-Benz CL-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 CL-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 CL-Class's history for free?
Enter the Mercedes-Benz CL-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 CL-Class VIN numbers start with?
Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN's start with WDB and 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 CL-Class.
Decode a Mercedes-Benz VIN
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