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

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

World Manufacturer Identifiers (WMIs) serve as unique codes that identify the manufacturer of a specific vehicle. For the 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class, the WMI “4JG” not only signifies a vehicle made by Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc. but also categorizes it as a Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV), indicating its design for various functionalities. Assigned to vehicles manufactured in Montvale, New Jersey, United States, this WMI is crucial for distinguishing the vehicle’s origin, brand, and certain characteristics specific to its model and manufacturer. Essential for regulatory compliance and vehicle tracking, WMIs provide valuable information encoded within the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) system.

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

WMI: 4JG

Model Years Covered: 2006-2012
Example VIN: 4JGCB5HE0CA138149
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 R-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 R-Class:

Known VDS for a 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
CB5HE	CB2FE

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 R-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 R-Class VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

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

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

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
A	Vance		United States		4JGCB5HE0CA138149

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

The final 6 characters in a 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

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

How to find a 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class’s VIN?

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

Look at the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Mercedes-Benz R-Class. The VIN can usually be seen through the windshield.
Open the driver’s side door and inspect the door jamb for a sticker or plate with the VIN on your 2012 Mercedes-Benz R-Class.
View the engine bay; the VIN might be stamped onto the engine block or affixed to a part of the engine compartment in the R-Class.
Examine the vehicle’s documentation, such as the title, registration, or maintenance records where the VIN of your Mercedes-Benz R-Class should be recorded.
Look under the spare tire in the trunk area; occasionally, the VIN is located there on some Mercedes-Benz models.
Check the front frame of the Mercedes-Benz R-Class, as VINs are sometimes stamped directly onto the frame or chassis of vehicles.

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

Model Year: The vehicle’s model year can be inferred to be around 2012, providing insights into the age and potential technology level of the vehicle.
Body Class: The vehicle is classified as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) with four doors, indicating its intended use and passenger capacity.
Engine Type: The vehicle features a V-shaped engine with a displacement of 3.5 liters or 3500 CC, suggesting robust performance capabilities, especially in an all-wheel drive (AWD) setup.
Safety Features: The vehicle is equipped with front airbags for the 1st row, side airbags for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd rows, and Type 2 seat belts with load limiters and pretensioners for enhanced passenger protection.
Fuel Type: The primary fuel type for this vehicle is gasoline, which can provide insights into its environmental footprint and fuel efficiency.
Manufacturing Location: The vehicle was assembled in Vance, United States, which may be important for those concerned with manufacturing origins for quality, economic, or ethical reasons.
Advanced Technology: It features a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), indicating the presence of advanced safety and maintenance convenience features.

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

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV)/Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)
Displacement (CC)	3500.0
Displacement (CI)	213.58310433156
Displacement (L)	3.5
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	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 2E: 6,001 - 7,000 lb (2,722 - 3,175 kg)
Model	R-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	R350
Side Air Bag Locations	1st and 2nd and 3rd Rows
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	4-MATIC
Vehicle Descriptor	4JGCB5HE*CA
Vehicle Type	Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle
Sample_VIN	4JGCB5HE0CA138149