How to decode a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code consisting of the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which signifies the vehicle’s manufacturer, the type of vehicle, and the place of production. In the case of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, the WMI indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Specifically, this code reveals that the vehicle is a passenger car, aligning with Mercedes-Benz’s reputation for luxury and performance vehicles. This coded system provides valuable, quick-reference information that can be essential for vehicle registration, identification, and tracking purposes across the globe.

List of WMI Codes for a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

WMI: WDD

Model Years Covered: 2006-2020, 2023
Example VIN: WDDLJ9BB0DA058046
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 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-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 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class:

Known VDS for a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
LJ9BB	LJ7DB	LJ7EB

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 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-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 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
D	2013

11th Character in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
A	Sindelfingen		Germany		WDDLJ9BB0DA058046

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

The final 6 characters in a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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

How to find a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. You should be able to see the VIN through the windshield.
Look at the door pillar on the driver’s side when you open the door of your Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class; the VIN should be on a label located where the door latches.
Check under the hood of your Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class; the VIN might also be located on the front of the engine block.
Inspect the trunk area of your Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class; the VIN can sometimes be found in the spare tire well or on the trunk lid’s inner surface.
Review your Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class maintenance records or owner’s manual; the VIN is typically recorded in vehicle documents for reference.

What info can a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2013, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN can provide manufacturing specifics, including the plant city ‘Sindelfingen’ and country ‘Germany’, offering insights into the vehicle’s origin and production details.
Vehicle Specifications: The VIN can uncover key information about the vehicle’s make ‘CLS-Class’, model ‘CLS550’, series, ‘4-MATIC’, and trim, as well as detailed engine specifications like a 4.7L V-shaped engine with 8 cylinders.
Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN, such as ‘AWD/All-Wheel Drive’, offering clues to the vehicle’s handling and performance capabilities.
Body Class: The body class, for instance, ‘Sedan/Saloon’, can be indicated in the VIN, providing insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Fuel Type and Efficiency: Details about the primary fuel type ‘Gasoline’ are encoded in the VIN, offering clues to the vehicle’s efficiency and environmental impact.
Safety Features: The VIN can give information on safety features including the presence of front airbags ‘1st Row (Driver and Passenger)’, side airbags ‘1st and 2nd Rows’, and additional restraint systems, highlighting the model’s commitment to passenger safety.
Airbag and Seat Belt Details: Specific safety mechanisms such as the type of airbags, the existence of pretensioners, and the manual seat belt type for all occupants, emphasize the vehicle’s safety equipment and standards.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System: The VIN can specify the type of Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), like ‘Direct’, which is crucial for maintaining proper tire pressure and enhancing vehicle safety.

Don’t have your 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Displacement (CC)	4700.0
Displacement (CI)	286.81159724524
Displacement (L)	4.7
Doors	4
Drive Type	AWD/All-Wheel Drive
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	CLS-Class
Model Year	2013
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	Sindelfingen
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	CLS550
Series2	Coupe Style
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd Rows
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	4-MATIC
Vehicle Descriptor	WDDLJ9BB*DA
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WDDLJ9BB0DA058046