So I bought a C220 Cdi a couple of years back under the auspices of it being a 2006 model. However, upon a recent inspection of the VIN (also - having learned about decoding a VIN) it would seem that the VIN indicates a year model of 2002! �� How is this possible? Have I been duped by a sales person? Any recourse?

As an aside, the interior trim does not match that of a 2002 model, white LCD displays etc. - It does look like a 2006 model...

 

Sounds like VIN fraud? Start looking at where they would've stamped the VIN around the car.

For the W203, the 2001-2004 (pre-facelift) and 2005-2007 (facelift) are completely different. If you see white lights instead of yellow everywhere (cluster, radio etc.), the car is post-facelift.

There's a chance the previous owner updated the interior, but this would be extremely rare (as in less than 1 in 100k if not 1M). I can only think of a couple of examples in this forum, and both of them were not in South Africa.

Besides the dash, look around. There may be more, but there are 3 other places I know of off the top of my head where the VIN would be found.
1) Engine block (engraved).
2) Driver's side door jamb. If the plate has been pried (ie switched from another car) it will be very obvious.
3. Rear trunk/hatch. There's another engraved plate with bar code behind the license plate (ie you have to remove the license plate).

There's also a way to check using the instrument cluster but I don't know the steps if you have a 2005-2007 interior.

In any case, keep us updated. I guess the silver lining is that if it is a completely different car, at least now you have one that's 4 years newer than expected. Good luck.

 

What year does this VIN Decoder say it is?

https://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/Mercedes-Benz

NP

 

Of course there's usually at least here in the US a sticker that says what date it was manufactured in the door jam.
Month and year.