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

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

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique code that identifies the manufacturer of a vehicle, signaling key details such as the country of origin, make, and vehicle type. For the 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, the WMI specifically points to the distinguished Mercedes-Benz Cars as the manufacturer, highlighting its crafting in the prestigious automotive hub of Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. This identifier, particularly relevant for passenger cars like the SL-Class, serves not just as an identificatory sequence but as a testament to the vehicle’s heritage and quality standards. It encompasses a range of model years, with this example falling into the timeline of models produced over 1994-2009 and 2011-2012. The WMI is essential for various automotive, regulatory, and service industries to accurately identify and classify vehicles on a global scale.

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

WMI: WDB

Model Years Covered: 1994-2009, 2011-2012
Example VIN: WDBSK7BA0CF167668
Manufacturer Name: Mercedes-Benz Cars
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Stuttgart
State or Province: Baden-Württemberg
Country: Germany

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-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 SL-Class:

Known VDS for a 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
SK7BA	SK7AA

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 SL-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 SL-Class VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
C	2012

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

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

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
F	Bremen		Germany		WDBSK7BA0CF167668

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

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

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

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

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

Examine the dashboard on the driver’s side of your 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. From outside the vehicle, look through the windshield on the lower right-hand side for the VIN plate.
Check the door pillar on the driver’s side of your Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. When you open the driver’s side door, you can look for a sticker or plate on the door jamb that contains the VIN.
Look at your 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class’s engine block. The VIN is sometimes stamped onto the engine itself.
Inspect the trunk area of your SL-Class for a VIN label. It can often be found where the spare tire is stored or on the trunk lid.
Review your vehicle’s documentation for the VIN, such as the title, registration, or insurance papers associated with your Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.

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

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, being the year 2012, providing insights into the age and the specific model lineup it belongs to.
Engine Specifications: It offers comprehensive insights into the vehicle’s engine, such as a V-shaped configuration with a 6.2 liter displacement and eight cylinders, suggesting a powerful performance profile.
Body Class and Doors: The VIN indicates that the vehicle is a Convertible/Cabriolet with 2 doors, providing potential buyers or owners with vital information regarding its design and functionality.
Fuel Type: The vehicle is powered by Gasoline, which is crucial for understanding fuel consumption patterns and operational costs.
Safety Features: It is equipped with 1st row (Driver and Passenger) front airbags and side airbags, alongside Type 2 seat belts with load limiters and pretensioners for the driver and front passenger, highlighting its safety specifications.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN reveals that the vehicle was assembled in Bremen, Germany, offering insights into its production origin, which might affect its valuation and appeal.
Advanced Technology: It features a Direct Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), showcasing the vehicle’s use of modern technology to enhance safety and performance.

Don’t have your 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Convertible/Cabriolet
Displacement (CC)	6200.0
Displacement (CI)	378.34721338734
Displacement (L)	6.2
Doors	2
Engine Configuration	V-Shaped
Engine Number of Cylinders	8
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Model	SL-Class
Model Year	2012
Other Restraint System Info	Type 2 seat belts with load limiters and pretensioners for driver and front passenger.
Plant City	Bremen
Plant Company Name
Plant Country	Germany
Pretensioner	Yes
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Series	SL63
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) Type	Direct
Trim	AMG
Vehicle Descriptor	WDBSK7AA*CF
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	WDBSK7AA0CF168613