How accurate is the Russian VIN decoder
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Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 141
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From: Grosse Pointe, Michigan
2002 S430 Sport Pkg
How accurate is the Russian VIN decoder
I just used the Russian VIN decoder site for two w220's. I ran my cousins VIN and woooo boy we have some major discrepencies. Apparently his car was a travertine beige color, and the interior was java. The car he bought is Black on Black!!!! I ran my vin everything came up correctly. Supposedly the car my cousin bought has a good title and is not salvage. The cars interior is currently black, but the headliner and A pilars are gray! I seem to recall that black interiors had black headliners and A pilars. Where else can I check for the VIN on the car? I quickly looked at the tags in the driver door jamb but didn't notice any overspray, but it was night time so I really couldn't see that well. I also think the car has serious problems with steering. While I was driving I noticed when turning it almost feels like something is catching or grabing as your are turning, as if the power steering pump isn't working properly. Another problem is that when you turn the heat on it blows AC through the center vent, but heat on the floor and no matter how you adjust it still blows the same?!? I am thinking he caught the shaft bad on this car deal!
Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 80
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From: Virginia Beach, VA
2005 S500 4Matic
The Russian VIN Decoder is most of the time spot on. You may want to ask a MB dealer to do a Master Vehicle Inquiry, which consist, inter alia, the color and equipment codes.
Last edited by Dino I; Oct 28, 2008 at 02:37 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 44
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From: Gold Coast Australia
Silver 1996 C36
The Russian VIN site has been very accurate on the many Mercedes models that I have checked...
...but, not even one CLS (C219) model VIN has been accepted by the site as a valid VIN.
Has anybody had any better luck?
...but, not even one CLS (C219) model VIN has been accepted by the site as a valid VIN.
Has anybody had any better luck?
Last edited by OzC36; Jan 3, 2010 at 07:50 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,949
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From: Clifton, NJ
96 and 08 911 turbos
some times the colors are off. I certainly wouldn't raise hell because of what is on the russian site.
Go to a dealer and get the vmi/star report and you can at least peak at what the car has.
Go to a dealer and get the vmi/star report and you can at least peak at what the car has.
