How to decode a 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are unique sequences that identify the manufacturer of any given vehicle worldwide. In the context of the 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, the WMI is “WDB,” a sequence signifying that the automobile was manufactured by Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. These codes are the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), serving as a global standard to classify vehicles by their maker. Specifically, for the Mercedes-Benz CL-Class produced between 2000 and 2006, the WMI reveals that these luxurious passenger cars were crafted in one of the most prestigious automotive production regions. Understanding the WMI is essential for recognizing a vehicle’s origin, manufacturing details, and the authenticity of its make.

List of WMI Codes for a 2000 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

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class 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 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class:

Known VDS for a 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
PJ75J

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 2000 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 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
Y	2000

11th Character in the 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2000 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 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

The final 6 characters in a 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Mercedes-Benz CL-Class’s VIN below:

How to find a 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mercedes-Benz CL-Class. You can usually see the VIN through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and check the door jamb. There should be a sticker or plate with the VIN where the door latches.
Inspect the car’s engine bay. The VIN can also be found on the firewall of the engine compartment in your Mercedes-Benz CL-Class.
Examine the trunk area under the spare tire. Sometimes the VIN is located in this spot in Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
Review your vehicle’s paperwork. The VIN for your Mercedes-Benz CL-Class will be on the title, registration, insurance documents, or service records.

What info can a 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, being the year 2000, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN can specify the body class, revealing that the vehicle is a Coupe with 2 doors, offering detailed insights into the vehicle’s body style and entry configuration.
Air Bag Locations: Detailed safety features, including specific air bag locations for driver, passenger, and all rows, may be specified, providing valuable information about the vehicle’s safety measures.
Model Year and Series: The VIN identifies the model year as 2000, and it belongs to the CL500 series, possibly clarifying the specific model variant within the model lineup.
Restraint and Safety Systems: Information about the vehicle’s restraint systems is detailed, such as the inclusion of manual seat belts and the presence of additional safety features for enhanced passenger safety.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN pinpoints the vehicle’s manufacturing location to Sindelfingen, Germany, possibly offering insight into the origin of assembly which can influence perceptions of build quality and design.
Vehicle Type: The VIN identifies the vehicle as a Passenger Car, categorizing it within a broad range of vehicles designed primarily for personal transportation.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Coupe
Doors	2
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Knee Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Model	CL-Class
Model Year	2000
Other Restraint System Info	Driver and front passenger side 3 point belt with Emergency Tensioning Retractor (ETR). Side impact airbags in front and rear doors and window bag; 3-point belt in rear seating positions.
Plant City	Sindelfingen
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	CL500
Side Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Vehicle Descriptor	WDBPJ75J*YA
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WDBPJ75J1YA004682