How to decode a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter or digit code that signifies the manufacturer of a vehicle and provides insight into where it was produced and its type. For the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, the WMI “4JG” specifies that the vehicle was manufactured by Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc., designating it as a luxury multipurpose passenger vehicle. This code is integral to the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), offering a concise way to identify the vehicle’s origins. Specifically, it connects the vehicle to Montvale, New Jersey, in the United States, anchoring it to the American operations of this globally recognized brand. WMIs play a crucial role in vehicle identification, giving a glimpse into the make, model, and manufacturing details at a glance.

List of WMI Codes for a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

WMI: 4JG

Model Years Covered: 2007-2016
Example VIN: 4JGBF86E09A453353
Manufacturer Name: Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
City: Montvale
State or Province: New Jersey
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-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 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class:

Known VDS for a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
BF86E	BF25E	BF71E

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 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-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 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
9	2009

11th Character in the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
A	Vance	Alabama	United States		4JGBF86E09A453353

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

The final 6 characters in a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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

How to find a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side of your Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, where the VIN is commonly displayed on a small plate visible from outside the vehicle.
Open the driver’s side door and examine the area where the door latches to the body of your Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, as there’s usually a sticker or plate with the VIN.
Check under the hood of your Mercedes-Benz GL-Class; the VIN may be on a plate or sticker located on the engine block or the firewall.
Inspect the trunk area of your Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, such as under the trunk carpet or on the trunk lid, for a VIN plate or sticker.
Look at the vehicle registration documents or the insurance card for your Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, as they would include the VIN.

What info can a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN may indicate that the vehicle is from the 2009 model year, potentially providing insight into the age and relevant technology of the vehicle.
Vehicle Type and Body Class: The data can reveal that the vehicle is classified as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle, specifically categorized as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), possibly offering detailed insight into the design and intended use of the vehicle.
Engine Specifications: Detailed engine information is encoded, such as a 5.5L displacement V-Shaped engine with 8 cylinders, which might indicate the vehicle’s power and performance capabilities.
Safety Features: The VIN may specify airbag locations as 1st row (Driver and Passenger) and all rows for side airbags, possibly highlighting the safety features designed to protect occupants in different seating positions.
Fuel Type: The VIN indicates the primary fuel type as Gasoline, which may be essential for understanding the vehicle’s operational costs and environmental impact.
Drive Type and Drive Configuration: It specifies an AWD (All-Wheel Drive) configuration, potentially providing potential buyers with important information about the vehicle’s handling characteristics in various driving conditions.
Manufacturing Information: Production details such as the manufacturing plant located in Vance, Alabama, United States, might offer insight into the vehicle’s origin, which can affect perceptions of quality and resale value.

Don’t have your 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL-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
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	GL-Class
Model Year	2009
Plant City	Vance
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Alabama
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	GL550
Side Air Bag Locations	All Rows
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	4-MATIC
Vehicle Descriptor	4JGBF86E*9A
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	4JGBF86E09A453353