A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-character code that identifies a specific vehicle. The VIN of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle contains information about the manufacturer, model, body style, engine type, and other characteristics. In this article, we'll show you how to decode a Mercedes-Benz VIN to determine the specific information about the vehicle. Step 1: Locate the VIN The first step in decoding a Mercedes-Benz VIN is to locate the VIN. The VIN is typically found on the vehicle identification label, which is usually located on the driver's side door jamb, the dashboard, or the front of the engine block. Step 2: Identify the Meaning of Each Character in the VIN The VIN is divided into three sections: the World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI), the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS), and the Vehicle Identifier Section (VIS). The WMI consists of the first three characters and identifies the manufacturer and the country of origin. For example, a Mercedes-Benz VIN that begins with 'WDB' indicates that the vehicle was manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in Germany. The VDS consists of the fourth through eighth characters and describes the vehicle's model, body style, and other characteristics. For example, the fourth through seventh characters of a Mercedes-Benz VIN may represent the model and body style of the vehicle (such as 'C230' for a C-Class sedan), while the eighth character may indicate the engine type (such as 'K' for a 4-cylinder engine). The VIS consists of the ninth through seventeenth characters and identifies the specific vehicle. These characters may include a combination of letters and numbers that represent the vehicle's model year, plant location, and production sequence.