How to decode a 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, the type of vehicle, and the country of manufacture. Specifically, for a 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, the WMI reveals that it was produced by Mercedes-Benz Cars in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, and is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV). This alphanumeric code is essential for accurately identifying vehicles and is commonly found within the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), aiding in vehicle tracking, registration, and recall notifications. For instance, vehicles manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in Germany for those model years have a WMI starting with “WDC”, indicating both the brand and its geographical origin. This information is critical for manufacturers, regulatory agencies, and owners for a variety of administrative and legal purposes.

List of WMI Codes for a 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

WMI: WDC

Model Years Covered: 2002-2008, 2010-2020
Example VIN: WDCYR71E08X176152
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 2008 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class:

Known VDS for a 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
YR71E	YR49E

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 2008 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 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
8	2008

11th Character in the 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2008 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		WDCYR71E08X176152

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

The final 6 characters in a 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-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?

TRY BUMPER

How to find a 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2008 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 can usually be seen by looking through the windshield from outside the vehicle.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the door post (where the door latches when it is closed). You should find a sticker that includes the VIN for your G-Class.
Check under the hood. Sometimes the VIN can be found on the engine block or on other parts under the hood of the G-Class.
Look at the vehicle’s registration documents, insurance papers, or the title; the VIN for your Mercedes-Benz G-Class should be clearly printed there.
If you still cannot locate the VIN on the vehicle itself, you can check the maintenance records, as the VIN is usually recorded every time service is performed on your G-Class.

What info can a 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 2008, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Body Class: It might specify the vehicle’s body class, like being categorized as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), offering insights into the vehicle’s design and structure.
Engine Details: The VIN may encode engine characteristics such as being V-Shaped with 8 cylinders and a displacement of 5.0 liters (5000 CC or 305.11872047366 CI), providing valuable information about the vehicle’s power and performance.
Drive Type and Fuel Type: It can reveal specifics about the drive type, such as All-Wheel Drive (AWD), and the primary fuel type, for instance, Gasoline, offering insights into the vehicle’s handling characteristics and fuel efficiency.
Vehicle Weight Class: Information regarding the vehicle’s gross weight rating may be included, pointing towards a classification such as Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg), which can help in understanding the vehicle’s towing capacity and load-bearing capabilities.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN might include data on the manufacturing location, such as the plant city being Graz in Austria, providing insights into the vehicle’s origin and production history.
Safety Features: Safety features like the type of Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), in this case, Direct, can often be inferred from the VIN, offering insights into the vehicle’s safety technology.

Don’t have your 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

Search License Plate

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2008 Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	5500.0
Displacement (CI)	335.63059252102
Displacement (L)	5.5
Doors	4
Drive Type	AWD/All-Wheel Drive
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
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	2008
Plant City	Graz
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Austria
Series	G55
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	AMG 4-MATIC
Vehicle Descriptor	WDCYR71E*8X
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	WDCYR71E08X176152