How to decode a 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code used to identify the manufacturer of a vehicle globally. It forms the initial characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which provides detailed information about the vehicle, including its production year, manufacturing plant, and specifications. For the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the WMI “WDC” specifies that the vehicle was manufactured by Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This particular class of vehicles is categorized as Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPVs), underscoring their design for varied uses. The WMI system ensures that every vehicle can be uniquely identified worldwide, offering vital information for registration, service, and history tracking purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

WMI: WDC

Model Years Covered: 2002-2008, 2010-2020
Example VIN: WDCYR49E03X134270
Manufacturer Name: Mercedes-Benz Cars
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Stuttgart
State or Province: Baden-Württemberg
Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-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 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class:

Known VDS for a 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
YR49E	YR46E

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 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-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 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
3	2003

11th Character in the 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
X	Graz		Austria		WDCYR49E03X134270

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The final 6 characters in a 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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

How to find a 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mercedes-Benz G-Class. The VIN is typically visible through the windshield on a small metal or plastic plaque.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). You should find the VIN on a sticker or a metal plate in your 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Examine the area near the radiator under the hood. The front of the engine block may have the VIN engraved on it in your Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Look at the rear wheel well above the tire. Sometimes, the VIN can be found stamped on the body in this location on a Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
Check the vehicle’s insurance card/policy, as the VIN will be printed there, or consult the title or registration documents associated with your 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

What info can a 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, potentially indicating the year 2003, offering insights into the vehicle’s age and potential market value.
Body Class and Vehicle Type: The VIN may describe the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), highlighting the multipurpose nature of the vehicle’s design for passenger transport.
Engine Specifications: The VIN could provide extensive details about the engine, including its V-Shaped configuration, a displacement of 5.50 liters or 335.63 cubic inches, and an engine brake horsepower starting from 349 hp with an 8-cylinder layout.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for the vehicle might be identified as Gasoline, giving insight into the vehicle’s fuel consumption and environmental footprint.
Safety Features: Potential safety equipment encoded in the VIN may include front airbags for the 1st-row occupants and side airbags for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rows, indicating a comprehensive safety system.
Manufacturing Details: Details such as the manufacturing plant’s location in Graz, Austria, could be discerned, providing a glimpse into the vehicle’s origin and production quality.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The VIN might reveal the GVWR as falling within Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg), which helps in understanding the vehicle’s size, capacity, and regulatory classification.

Don’t have your 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2003 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	5500.00
Displacement (CI)	335.630592521027
Displacement (L)	5.50
Doors	4
Engine Brake (hp) From	349.00
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	G-Class
Model Year	2003
Plant City	Graz
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Austria
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	G55
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd and 3rd Rows
Vehicle Descriptor	WDCYR46E*3X
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	WDCYR46E03X134824