VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)

A vehicle identification number, commonly abbreviated to VIN, is a unique code including a serial number, used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles, towed vehicles, motorcycles, scooters and mopeds as defined in ISO 3833.

VIN can be used to look up vehicle specific Data Card describing vehicle equipment and other information.

Decoding VIN

The 14-digit VIN consists of the following elements:

• The first three letters of the VIN (WDB2200671A419444) designate the manufacturer - Mercedes-Benz.
• The next three numbers of the VIN will tell you what series/type the car is. For example a VIN WDB2200671A419444 denotes a W220 series vehicle.
• The next three digits (WDB2200671A419444) identify the model, where:

063 is the S280
163 is the S280 long
065 is the S320
165 is the S320 long
067 is the S350
087 is the S350 4Matic
167 is the S350 long
187 is the S450 4Matic long
070 is the S430
083 is the S430 4Matic
170 is the S430 long
183 is the S430 4Matic long 
075 is the S500
084 is the S500 4Matic
175 is the S500 long
184 is the S500 4Matic long
178 is the S600 long
176 is the S600 long twin-turbocharged
073 is the S55 AMG
173 is the S55 AMG long
074 is the S55 AMG supercharged
175 is the S55 AMG long supercharged
179 is the S65 AMG twin-turbocharged
026 is the S320 CDI
126 is the S320 CDI long
028 is the S400 CDI
128 is the S400 CDI long

• The seventh digit (WDB2200671A419444) identifies (?):

1 - left-hand drive
2 - right-hand drive

• The eighth digit (WDB2200671A419444) identifies (?)
• The last six digits are sequential. With each model separate, they start at 000001 and end with the end of production

How to find VIN

There are several places where you can look up VIN of your vehicle.

Certification label below driver's door latch

If in the U.S. there will be a sticker in the driver's door frame that gives the month and year of manufacture. In the photo below, 10/04 at the upper right of the sticker indicates my car was manufactured in October, 2004. It was sold in the U.S. as an '05 model, and went into service in November, '04.

Engrave below right rear passenger seat

VIN is engraved next to fuse box under right side rear seat. Since here the VIN is engraved, this place is used by authorities to identify a vehicle without doubts.

Instrument cluster hidden menu

VIN can be displayed by accessing instrument cluster hidden menu. First access the hidden menu using battery voltage check described in charging system page. Then use steering wheel buttons to navigate through the menu.

Vehicle Technical Passport

Vehicle technical passport issued by government should have VIN printed on it.