Free 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. It’s the first three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), signifying the vehicle brand, country of manufacture, and specific division within the company. For the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the WMI denotes it as a vehicle produced by Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Germany, underlining its luxury and precision engineering heritage. This segment specifies the vehicle as a passenger car from the iconic German automaker known for its high standards in automotive engineering. The 1998 E-Class, with this WMI, is part of a line celebrated for combining elegance, performance, and innovation.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

WMI: WDB

• Model Years Covered: 1994-2009
• Example VIN: WDBJH65F0WA575181
• 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 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-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 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class:

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 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-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 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

What info can a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Fuel Type: It can possibly indicate the primary fuel type the vehicle uses, such as Diesel.
• Engine Specifications: The VIN can divulge detailed engine specifications, including displacement in liters (3 L), the engine type (In-Line), and the number of cylinders (6).
• Safety Features: Based on the VIN, the vehicle might be equipped with multiple safety features, including front and knee airbags for both the driver and passenger, and more complex restraint systems featuring emergency tensioning retractors and side impact airbags.
• Manufacturing Location: It is possible to determine the vehicle’s manufacturing location, including the city (Sindelfingen) and country (Germany).
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: A VIN can reveal both the general type of the vehicle, such as a Passenger Car, and more specific body class information, indicating the vehicle is a Sedan/Saloon.
• Turbocharged Engine: The presence of a turbocharger in the vehicle’s engine might be identified, possibly enhancing performance and efficiency.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class