Mercury VIN Decoder – Free Mercury VIN Lookup & History Check

Q: Where is the Mercury VIN?

Check the VIN in specific locations. These are the dashboard near the windshield, the driver's door jamb, or the title documents for the 17-digit sequence.

Q: Does 1ME always mean my Mercury was U.S.-built?

Yes, 1ME indicates the United States for all Mercury vehicle production and assembly.

Q: Can I decode the axle ratio from the Mercury VIN?

No, axle ratios require separate build sheets or dealer lookups beyond VIN decoder capabilities.

Q: Any flood indicators in the Mercury VIN itself?

VIN doesn't show flood damage; you need NMVTIS title data to identify accident history.

Q: Does EpicVIN show duplicate serial alerts?

Yes, our VIN decoder flags potential VIN cloning and duplicate registration for buyer protection.

Q: What's the rarest Mercury plant code?

Plant code "T" for Edison, New Jersey, appears on limited 1980s cars produced there.

Q: Any VIN flagged for export only?

Certain Mercury vehicles were manufactured exclusively for the Canadian or international market through Ford.

Q: Can I see the recall close-rate by the Mercury model?

Our website provides recall completion statistics by popular Mercury models and years manufactured.

Q: Do Mexican Cougars pass U.S. emissions?

4M2-prefix Mexican Cougars meet different emissions standards and require EPA compliance verification before purchase.

Home
VIN decoder
Mercury

by Robert P Allred

Updated 12 Sep 2025 5 min read

Why Choose EpicVIN's Mercury VIN Decoder?

≈920,000 Mercury vehicles registered in the U.S. - DMV data refreshed daily by EpicVIN.
93,165 Mercury vehicles were sold in 2010 - the brand's last full year; every new VIN was indexed the same day.
~1,200 Mercury vehicles on major salvage auctions right now - photos & specs archived for timeline view.
Official NMVTIS feeds - titles, liens, mileage straight from government records.
Free VIN decoding - pay only for the full history report.

What is a Mercury VIN and Why Decode It?

A vehicle identification number became mandatory in 1981 following ISO Institute standards. Each VIN contains crucial details that help buyers verify authenticity and access technical specifications. Using a reliable VIN decoder protects your purchase decision by revealing important information about any specific Mercury vehicle before you buy.

How to Decode a Mercury VIN Number?

Decoding your Mercury car's VIN number provides instant access to essential data and history.

Find the VIN

Locate the sequence in the corresponding location.

Enter the VIN

Input the sequence into our VIN decoder tool.

Click "Decode VIN free"

Press the button to access basic specifications, recalls, and manufacturer details instantly.

Review the Results

Examine the results and consider using a full vehicle history report for detailed accident records and car title information.

Popular Mercury Models for VIN Check

How to Find a Mercury VIN?

On every Mercury vehicle, the VIN appears in several standard locations.

Dashboard: Close to the windshield (the driver's side).
Sticker: The driver's door jamb.
Official documents: Registration and insurance papers.
Engine bay.

Used Mercury Key Risk Statistics in the USA (2024–2025)

Key Risk	Impact on Buyers	Mitigation Steps
Theft Risk	2.1 theft claims per 1,000 insured Grand Marquis cars (NICB 2024).	Verify VIN-etching, add telematics tracker.
Unrepaired Safety Recalls	18% of 2005-2011 cars have open Takata-airbag or power-steering recalls.	Check the NHTSA database. Schedule a free dealer fix.
Depreciation Over Time	Surviving Mercury loses ≈ 8% value yearly; a 15-year-old car retains < 20% MSRP (Black Book 2024).	Buy below market. Keep service records to slow the decline.
Odometer Rollback Fraud	4.2% of Mercury listings show mileage anomalies (Carfax study 2025).	Demand a digital odometer scan and EpicVIN report.
Hidden Flood/Salvage History	12% of Mercury auction cars carry a damaged title (Copart + IAA analytics 2024).	Cross-check NMVTIS & auction photos before purchase.

Risk Reduction: Reduce risks: Verify your VIN through EpicVIN's VIN decoder. Alternatively, check NMVTIS and NHTSA reports. Inspect a specific vehicle with a mechanic. Avoid deposits until history, mileage, and title status are documented.

Top-3 Common Failures in Used Mercury Vehicles

Issue	Affected Models, Symptoms, Average Repair Cost
Intake manifold gasket leak	1996–2001 Grand Marquis & Marauder V8, 80–130k mi; coolant smell, rough idle. $750–$1,100
CD4E/CFT30 transmission failure	2005–2008 Mariner & 2003–2005 Sable 3.0L, 90–140k mi; harsh shift, no drive. $3,200–$4,000
Rear coil-spring & sub-frame rust	1996–2005 Sable & 2002–2007 Mountaineer, 100–160k mi; clunking, uneven ride. $900–$1,400

How to Read a Mercury VIN Number

Each character that a VIN decoder interprets in your vehicle's unique sequence tells a specific story.

WMI (World Manufacturer Identifier - Positions 1-3): Vehicle manufacturer and country of origin.
VDS (Vehicle Descriptor Section - Positions 4-9): Body style, engine type, specific details, and check digit based on a mathematical formula for VIN validation.
VIS (Vehicle Identifier Section - Positions 10-17): Year designation, assembly plant identifier showing production location, and serial number unique to each vehicle.

There are some other details that a VIN decoder uncovers:

1ME, 2ME, 3ME, and 4M2 are the four World Manufacturer Identifiers (positions 1-3) reserved for Mercury, instantly flagging U.S., Canadian, Mexican, and truck-based builds.
Plant identifier "U" equals Louisville; look for it on 2007-2010 Mountaineer SUVs.
VIN checksum failures are twice as common on hand-written 1970s Mercury titles - watch for misread "S" vs "5."
Position 10 "Y" = 2000; the last Mercury to use it was the Cougar, discontinued that same year in Europe.
Position 9 "X" only appears once per 17-digit cycle; 2011 Mercury never reached that serial range.

Here's how our Mercury VIN decoder interprets a sample sequence (1MEPM36X8PK608516):

Symbols	Sample	What It Reveals
1	1	The United States as the country of origin
2	M	Mercury as a manufacturer
3	E	Passenger vehicle type
4-8	PM36X	Sedan body style, engine type, restraint system, Grand Marquis model line, and trim level
9	8	Check digit for validation
10	P	1993 model year
11	K	Kansas City assembly plant
12-17	608516	Individual vehicle serial number

What Information Can You Get from a Mercury VIN Number?

2004 MERCURY Marauder

Odometer

No problems
Safety Recalls

1 records
Accidents

2 problems
Last mileage

122,347 km
Auction Sales

1 sale found
Owners

2+ owners found

Year 2004
Make Mercury
Model Marauder
Fuel Type Gasoline
Engine 4.6L V-Shaped
Made in CANADA

A comprehensive vehicle history report through our VIN decoder reveals extensive details about your vehicle specifications and background.

Model year & exact trim - Identifies specific cars like Grand Marquis LS or Mountaineer Premier variants.
Engine/drivetrain marker - Demonstrates 4.6L V8, 3.0L Duratec V6, automatic transmission, and FWD/RWD configuration.
Body style - Highlights sedan, wagon, and SUV configurations.
Assembly plant & country - Lists Louisville, Kansas City, and other manufacturing locations.
Original market destination - Indicates U.S., Canada, export regions for fleet sale or retail distribution.
Paint & interior trim code - Shows factory colors, upholstery materials, and option packages.
Protection equipment profile - Details airbag setup, ABS systems, and safety equipment technical specifications.
Sequential production number - Verifies build slot and prevents VIN cloning or fraud schemes.

EpicVIN merges NMVTIS, DMV, and insurance data - giving Mercury buyers 7+ data layers in one click. — Alex Black, CMO, EpicVIN

Useful Resources for Mercury and Safety

Ford Owner Recall Lookup - Enter a VIN to check official safety recalls instantly.
NHTSA VIN Search - Federal database for open recalls and investigations on Mercury vehicles.
Copart Mercury Inventory - Live list of damaged Mercury cars with photos and damage notes.

Get Your Complete Mercury Vehicle History Today

Don't let hidden problems cost you thousands. Our results include accident history, mileage verification, title issues, auction photos, and much more.

Frequently Asked Questions