- What you'll get from Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN check?
- Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN.
- 10th Character in the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
- How to find a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
What you’ll get from Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating it could be the year 2015, offering insights into the vehicle’s age and potential historical value.
- Body Class and Doors: The VIN may specify the body class, potentially indicating a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with four doors, providing detailed insights into the vehicle’s design and passenger capacity.
- Drive Type: The drive type can also be identified from the VIN, possibly showing an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) configuration. This information can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
- Engine Details: The VIN can reveal intricate engine specifications, including the engine configuration, displacement of 3.0 liters, and it being powered by six cylinders, offering insights into the vehicle’s performance and power.
- Fuel Efficiency: The VIN might indicate the primary fuel type, such as Diesel, offering insights into the vehicle’s fuel efficiency and environmental impact.
- Safety Features: Information on safety features can typically be inferred from the VIN, including the presence of front airbags for the first row (Driver and Passenger) and side airbags for both 1st and 2nd rows, alongside the inclusion of manual seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, potentially enhancing the vehicle’s safety standards.
- Manufacturing Details: The VIN may uncover manufacturing details, potentially including the plant location, which in this case, could be Vance, Alabama, United States, under Mercedes-Benz USA, indicative of the vehicle’s build quality and origin.
- Other Vehicle Features: The VIN may provide information on additional vehicle features, such as the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type being Direct and the gross vehicle weight rating, shedding light on the vehicle’s capabilities and safety systems in place.
Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Vehicle History Risk Factors
Mercedes-Benz vehicles are sophisticated and expensive to maintain, and the used market includes a wide range of cars from meticulous single-owner buyers to high-mileage examples that have been through multiple owners and deferred maintenance. A Bumper history check on a used Mercedes addresses several high-frequency concerns.
Balance shaft and timing chain failures on M272/M273 V6 and V8 engines (2005–2011 C, E, S, ML, GL Class). Mercedes’ M272 V6 and M273 V8 engines had a documented balance shaft gear wear issue that, if left unaddressed, could cause catastrophic engine failure. Repair costs can exceed $5,000. Service records showing balance shaft replacement or inspection are critical on any Mercedes from this engine generation.
Air suspension failures on E, S, and GL Class. Mercedes’ AIRMATIC air suspension — standard on S-Class and optional on several other models — is expensive to repair when components fail ($1,500–$3,000 per corner). A sagging ride height in photos or listing descriptions is a warning sign that air suspension work is pending.
Transmission conductor plate issues on 7G-Tronic (722.9). Mercedes’ seven-speed automatic had a documented conductor plate failure mode that causes erratic shifting and transmission fault codes. Replacement conductor plates are a known maintenance item on high-mileage examples.
Salvage and rebuilt title AMG and S-Class vehicles. High-value Mercedes models — particularly AMG variants and S-Class sedans — are disproportionately represented in salvage title databases due to their high replacement values. Verify title history carefully on any Mercedes priced significantly below market value.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN
World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) codes are the initial three characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), uniquely identifying the manufacturer and type of vehicle. For the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class produced between 2012 and 2015, the WMI is 4JG, indicating that these vehicles are manufactured by Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc., located in Montvale, New Jersey, United States. The specific 4JG WMI denotes that these vehicles are classified as Multipurpose Passenger Vehicles (MPV), underscoring their versatility and utility. This classification is integral to understanding the vehicle’s design, purpose, and regulatory compliance. WMIs provide essential information for vehicle tracking, registration, and recall purposes.
List of WMI Codes for a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
WMI: 4JG
- Model Years Covered: 2012-2015
- Example VIN: 4JGDA5HB0CA001628
- 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 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Mercedes-Benz uses a structured VDS encoding system that reflects its vehicle class hierarchy — C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, GLE, GLC, and others each have distinct VDS patterns that encode body style, engine variant, and trim configuration. The engine character within the VDS is particularly meaningful on Mercedes vehicles, where the same model nameplate can house dramatically different powertrains — a C300 may have a 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder while a C43 AMG has a biturbo V6 — with correspondingly different maintenance costs and reliability profiles. For AMG models, the VDS encodes performance variant designation separately from the base model, making it possible to confirm authenticity before a pre-purchase inspection.
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 Mercedes-Benz ML-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 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| F | 2015 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class |
| E | 2014 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class |
| D | 2013 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class |
| C | 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML-Class |
11th Character in the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Mercedes-Benz ML-Class Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Vance | United States | 4JGDA5HB0CA001628 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
The final 6 characters in a Mercedes-Benz ML-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?
How to find a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Mercedes-Benz ML-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 ML-Class. The VIN is usually displayed on a metal plate visible from outside the vehicle.
- Examine the door pillar on the driver’s side. When you open the driver’s door, check for a sticker or a plate on the door jamb for the VIN.
- Check your Mercedes-Benz ML-Class’s vehicle registration documents. The VIN will be listed on the registration paperwork.
- Inspect the insurance card or insurance policy documents. The VIN of your Mercedes-Benz ML-Class is often recorded on these documents for identification and verification purposes.
Don’t have your Mercedes-Benz ML-Class’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) |
| Destination Market | U.S., Canada |
| Displacement (CC) | 3000.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 183.07123228419 |
| Displacement (L) | 3.0 |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | AWD/All-Wheel Drive |
| Engine Configuration | V-Shaped |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 6 |
| Front Air Bag Locations | 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) |
| Fuel Type - Primary | Diesel |
| Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From | Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg) |
| Model | ML-Class |
| Model Year | 2015 |
| 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. |
| Plant City | Vance |
| Plant Company Name | Mercedes-benz USA |
| Plant Country | United States |
| Plant State | Alabama |
| Pretensioner | Yes |
| Seat Belt Type | Manual |
| Series | ML350 BLUETEC |
| Side Air Bag Locations | 1st and 2nd Rows |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type | Direct |
| Trim | 4-matic |
| Vehicle Descriptor | 4JGDA2EB*FA |
| Vehicle Type | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle |
| Sample VIN | 4JGDA2EB0FA593247 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Mercedes-Benz ML-Class for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class?
On most Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class's history for free?
Enter the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN numbers start with?
Mercedes-Benz ML-Class VIN's start with 4JG for vehicles manufactured by Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc. in United States. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class.
Decode a Mercedes-Benz VIN
Look up a Mercedes-Benz ML-Class by license plate:
Compare this vehicle to another
Ready, Set, Bumper...
Try Bumper today and learn more about a vehicle you plan to buy or already own.
TRY Bumper Today