How to decode a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class VIN
Characters 1-3 of a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer to identify the make and country of origin. For the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, the WMI is “4JG,” revealing that Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc., in Montvale, New Jersey, is the manufacturer. This code indicates that the vehicle is a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), which underscores its versatility and luxury as part of the Mercedes-Benz lineup. WMIs are integral for vehicle identification, allowing for comprehensive tracking and registration purposes worldwide. For the Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, this specific WMI confirms its production in the United States, earmarking it as a premium offering in the automotive market.
List of WMI Codes for a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
WMI: 4JG
- Model Years Covered: 2017-2024
- Example VIN: 4JGFF8GE0MA376296
- 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 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-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 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class:
| Known VDS for a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| FF8GE | FF8HB | FF5KE | FF8KE |
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 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-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 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| M | 2021 |
11th Character in the 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Vance | Alabama | United States | 4JGFF8GE0MA376296 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
The final 6 characters in a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
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How to find a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Examine the driver’s side of the dashboard of your Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. You can generally find the VIN visible from the outside through the windshield on a small dedicated plate.
- Look at the driver’s side door pillar on your Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. The VIN can often be found on a label or sticker where the door latches when it is closed.
- Check the engine bay of your Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class. The VIN may be stamped onto the engine block or displayed on a plaque attached to the engine compartment.
- Inspect the vehicle registration documents or the insurance policy for your Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, as the VIN is normally recorded there.
- Review the maintenance records or service book for your Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class, as the VIN is usually recorded each time the vehicle is serviced.
What info can a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class VIN reveal?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as the year 2021, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
- Body Class and Size: The VIN specifies the vehicle as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV), highlighting its body type and size which caters to specific utility or family needs.
- Engine Type: Engine characteristics such as a 4.0 L V-Shaped, 8-cylinder engine by Mercedes-Benz (Model M176) with Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) may denote a powerful and efficient powertrain setup.
- Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is Gasoline, possibly providing insights into fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: The VIN may indicate comprehensive safety features like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB), and Blind Spot Warning (BSW) as standard, possibly illustrating the vehicle’s focus on occupant safety.
- Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS): The presence of optional and standard ADAS features like Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), and Forward Collision Warning (FCW) may underscore the vehicle’s advanced technological capabilities for enhancing driving safety and convenience.
- Transmission and Performance: Details such as a 9-speed Automatic transmission and the inclusion of Turbo technology might hint at the vehicle’s performance characteristics and drivability.
Don’t have your 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2021 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) | Optional |
| Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) | Standard |
| Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) | Standard |
| Auto-Reverse System for Windows and Sunroofs | Standard |
| Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) / Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) | Standard |
| Axles | 2 |
| Backup Camera | Standard |
| Blind Spot Warning (BSW) | Standard |
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Cooling Type | Water |
| Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) | Standard |
| Daytime Running Light (DRL) | Standard |
| Displacement (CC) | 4000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 244.09497637892 |
| Displacement (L) | 4.0 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Dynamic Brake Support (DBS) | Standard |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | Standard |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Manufacturer | Mercedes-Benz AG |
| Engine Model | M176 |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 8 |
| Engine Stroke Cycles | 4 |
| Forward Collision Warning (FCW) | Standard |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Gasoline |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 2F: 7,001 - 8,000 lb (3,175 - 3,629 kg) |
| Headlamp Light Source | LED |
| Keyless Ignition | Standard |
| Lane Centering Assistance | Optional |
| Lane Departure Warning (LDW) | Optional |
| Lane Keeping Assistance (LKA) | Optional |
| Model | GLS-Class |
| Model Year | 2021 |
| Number of Seat Rows | 3 |
| Number of Seats | 7 |
| Number of Wheels | 4 |
| Other Engine Info | L-9 / Direct Fuel Injection (DFI) |
| Other Restraint System Info | Type 2 seat belts for all occupants. Seat belts on all outboard designated seating positions are equipped with load limiters and pretensioners. |
| Parking Assist | Standard |
| Plant City | Vance |
| Plant Company Name | |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Alabama |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Semiautomatic Headlamp Beam Switching | Standard |
| Series | GLS580-4M |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd and 3rd Rows |
| Steering Location | Left-Hand Drive (LHD) |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Traction Control | Standard |
| Transmission Speeds | 9 |
| Transmission Style | Automatic |
| Turbo | Yes |
| Valve Train Design | Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 4JGFF8GE*MA |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Wheel Base (inches) From | 123.40 |
| Wheel Size Front (inches) | 21 |
| Wheel Size Rear (inches) | 21 |
| Sample_VIN | 4JGFF8GE0MA376296 |
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