
How to Read a VIN Number Like a Pro
From understanding the VIN number breakdown to uncovering a vehicle’s history,...
Free Mercedes-Benz VIN Decoder! 🚗 See specs, build sheet, recalls basic history—no sign-up. 🛡️✅ Need accidents, mileage, title? Upgrade in one click.
Looking for the VIN?
Here is there you’ll find it:
Every Mercedes-Benz car contains a 17-character vehicle identification number. This sequence was standardized in 1981. Since then, it has revealed crucial details about the vehicle's manufacturing, specs, and ownership. Our VIN Decoder instantly translates these characters into comprehensive vehicle information. Consumers can make informed decisions about any pre-owned Mercedes-Benz.
Get instant access to your Mercedes-Benz car specifications with our free VIN decoder tool:
Locating your Mercedes-Benz VIN is straightforward:
Risk | Percentage of Mercedes-Benz Cars with Issues |
---|---|
Theft / Recovery After Theft | ≈ 1.0% (≈ 60,000 vehicles) |
Major Open Recalls | 19% have at least one unresolved safety recall |
Accidents / Structural Damage | 38% show accident or repair damage marks |
Depreciation | -52% average price loss over 5 years (market average -45.6%) |
Odometer Rollback | 6.5% of VINs show odometer discrepancies; E-Class leads at 8.3% |
Flood / Salvage Titles | 2.9% have salvage, rebuilt, or flood-brand titles (EpicVIN analytics, 07/2025) |
How to reduce risks: Before purchase, check the VIN through the EpicVIN VIN decoder tool, compare the report with the dealer's service documentation, and order an independent vehicle inspection.
Failure | Models, Symptoms, Average Repair Cost |
---|---|
Balance Shaft Wear M272/M273 | C-/E-/CLK/ML 350 (2006-2008) — P0016-17 error codes, rough idle; gear and chain replacement $3,000-4,500 |
7G-Tronic 722.9 Sensor Board Failure | Most models 2004-2014 — \"limp mode,\" jerking on 2nd-3rd gear; repair/replacement $900-2,800 |
AIRMATIC Leaks (Struts/Compressor) | S-/E-/GL/ML — body sagging, \"Airmatic Malfunction\"; strut $1,600-4,000, compressor ≈ $900 |
Here's the standard VIN format, uncovering the car's production features and technical options:
Here's an example of how our Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder interprets a sample sequence (WDDHF8JB1EA123456):
Symbols | Sample | What It Reveals |
---|---|---|
1 | W | Germany as the country of origin |
2 | D | Mercedes-Benz as a manufacturer |
3 | D | Passenger car vehicle type |
4-8 | HF8JB | Body style, engine type, restraint system, model line, and trim level |
9 | 1 | Check digit for validation |
10 | E | 2014 model year |
11 | A | Assembly plant location |
12-17 | 123456 | Individual vehicle serial number |
Year 2015
Make Mercedes-Benz
Model CLA-Class
Fuel Type
Engine 2L In-Line
Made in GERMANY
Our Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder reveals comprehensive vehicle details through advanced lookup technology and a complete description:
Each Mercedes-Benz VIN in our system is cross-checked against NMVTIS titles and high-resolution photo evidence—turning a five-second lookup into the cheapest insurance a shopper can buy.Alex Black, CMO, EpicVIN
Yes. The instant decode—model year, series, engine, and assembly plant—is free. A full Mercedes-Benz vehicle history report with title brands, damage events, mileage records, and photos is available as a one-time paid purchase.
Absolutely. EpicVIN syncs daily with NHTSA and Mercedes-Benz USA recall bulletins. Any unresolved safety campaign appears in your report.
Yes. We compare sequential mileage entries from state inspections, dealer services, and auctions to spot rollbacks. Our site pulls title-brand data directly from participating DMVs to catch salvage, flood, and lemon titles.
Absolutely. Over 90% of our Mercedes records include at least one recent high-resolution photo—often 10 or more—from wholesale auctions or insurer inspections. Configuration images help verify options and spot hidden damage with wheel design details.
Data feeds update daily. DMV title events typically appear within 24 hours, while auction results and recall updates sync multiple times per day, keeping the report as fresh as possible without waiting for manual updates.
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