otagomed

I finally received VIN for my ML63.
I was so excited and searched the vehicle and found that it hasn't left US yet.

Anyway, I searched how to interpret my VIN and found something I don't understands. According to the information I've gathered, 10th digit of VIN is model year number. As my one is MY13, it should have alphabet D.
However my VIN has number 2 there.
Number 2 is given to year 2002 and 2032 vehicle.
Can anyone explain?
Does Mercedes use different VIN format??

The bonus was that I found out that my Audi is MY11. I always thought that it was MY10 but it had alphabet B on tenth digit!

otagomed

Also... I thought that since MLs are built in US, VIN will start with number 1 but it started with alphabet W. Does that mean it's made in Germany? or since MB is German company, regardless of where it's made its VIN starts with W?

iankayem

I have previously asked this question here, and of course no one can confirm the real reason.

Obviously MB have decided to cheat on the usual VIN rules so US export cars get the German VIN.

Perhaps it is to hide the next gen cars which may come from China.

My car also has "2" in the 10th position. I guess no W166 will be built in 2002, or 2022.

otagomed

Thanks Ian.

After 5 hours of googling... including googling sites in foreign languages I realized that MB has two VINs.
I think one is called Euro VIN (not too sure if it's the right terminology) and it's basically what MB uses for their internal purpose.

So I think the number I've received is a Euro VIN.

But still mysterious about German number for US made vehicles.
Both VIN and Euro VIN for MLs seem to have frist digit 'W' which stands for Germany.

otagomed

So does your ML actually have VIN with "2" in the 10th position?
I thought that's only used for ordering, etc and the vehicle actually have normal VIN written on its doorframe, etc.

iankayem

There is only ever one VIN per vehicle.
There is no such thing as an exclusive "Euro VIN"
All VIN numbers have been internationally standardised since 1981 and they are adhered, etched and stamped into various locations around the vehicle.

We now know that two different series of numbers are issued to ML as stated previously. Other makers are a little stricter. We have the Ford Focus here which will have a VIN beginning with an A, W, or 7, depending on whether it is built in South Africa, Germany or New Zealand respectively.

The only other numbers assigned to the vehicle are the engine number, and the order number. The order number is a preproduction number that the dealer can communicate with the maker until the VIN is created and then the VIN takes precidence.

AZHiker

I live in the US and my MY13 ML350BTC's VIN has 4 as first digit and D as 10-th digit. Mine was delivered the end of November 2012.

frtdog

Same as mine. A 4 as the first digit and a D as the 10th. Delivered end of September 2012.

GregW / Oregon

My 2012 has a (6/12 production) C as the 10th digit.

otagomed

Thanks everyone.
That's very interesting.
My friend in Korea drives ML350 and his one got W as a first digit of VIN.
Obviously non US markets get W although it is US built.

clk200

Actually the "Model Year" has nothing to do with the VIN coding. Whether it is the "new" model year or not (i.e. whether it has the updates introduced for the North American "MY13" is specified in the built codes that are contained in the Data Card of the card that you can get from the VIN number. Thedata card is available from your dealer or to anyone who subscribes to the EPC Mercedes online system (Electronic Parts Catalogue). My ML63 was manufactured September 2012, delivered November 2012 and it contains code "803" which I understand is the change of model year code. In any event, it has the Multi Contour seats which only became available after the model year change. Therefore any subsequent builds cannot be of the "previous" model year.

clk200

There are also some links in this forum, as well as old PDF lists about what each option code means.

A useful link from another thread is: http://www.amcon-luxled.com/mbcar/options.html

As you will see, codes 800 - 809 are "change of model year, the last figure shows the new model year"