How to decode a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class VIN

World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are a crucial element of a vehicle’s identification number (VIN), uniquely identifying the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of origin, and type. For instance, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class has a WMI of “4JG,” indicating it’s a product of Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc., manufactured in the United States, specifically in Montvale, New Jersey. This code is the first segment of the VIN, which further delineates the vehicle as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), reflecting its versatility and functionality. The 4JG WMI is an essential tool in tracking, registration, and recall processes, ensuring that each vehicle can be precisely identified. This coding system fosters global standardization and reliability in vehicle identification.

List of WMI Codes for a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

WMI: 4JG

Model Years Covered: 2007-2016
Example VIN: 4JGBF7BE0CA762361
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 2012 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class:

Known VDS for a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
BF7BE	BF8GE	BF2FE

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 2012 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

11th Character in the 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
A	Vance		United States		4JGBF7BE0CA762361

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

The final 6 characters in a 2012 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 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. The VIN can typically be seen through the windshield.
Inspect the door jamb on the driver’s side of your Mercedes-Benz GL-Class, where the door latches when closed; the VIN might be located on a plaque or sticker.
Examine the front of the engine block. For Mercedes-Benz GL-Class vehicles, the VIN is often stamped onto the engine itself.
Check inside the trunk area, specifically under the cargo floor cover or the spare tire, as the VIN could be affixed there in some Mercedes-Benz models.
Examine the vehicle’s paperwork. The VIN is always listed on the vehicle’s title, registration, and insurance documents, specific to your Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

What info can a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN may reveal the vehicles model year as 2012, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Vehicle Specifications: This dataset suggests that a 2012 GL-Class GL450 may feature a V-shaped engine with 4.7 liters displacement and eight cylinders, potentially offering insights into its performance capabilities.
Body Class and Size: The information indicates that the vehicle is classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with four doors, suggesting its suitability for family or multipurpose usage.
Drive Type and Fuel Efficiency: It may operate with an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system and primarily use gasoline, potentially indicating its suitability for varying terrains and fuel requirements.
Safety Features: Notable safety features detailed may include front airbags for the 1st row occupants, side airbags across the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rows, and seat belts equipped with load limiters and pretensioners for enhanced passenger protection.
Manufacturing Details: The vehicle may have been assembled in Vance, United States, potentially providing an insight into its production origin which can influence user preferences or perceptions regarding build quality and reliability.
Advanced Features: The presence of a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may indicate an advanced feature designed to enhance vehicle safety and maintenance.

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
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
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	GL-Class
Model Year	2012
Other Restraint System Info	Type 2 seat belts for all occupants. Seat belts on all outboard designated seating position are equipped with load limiters and pretensioners.
Plant City	Vance
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	United States
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	GL450
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd and 3rd Rows
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	4-MATIC
Vehicle Descriptor	4JGBF7BE*CA
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	4JGBF7BE0CA762361