Most Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VINs open with WDD (Germany, 2014–2020), WDC (Germany, 2015–2019) or W1K (Germany, 2021). Position 11, the plant, shows 2 codes, most often N (79%); a 2026 CLA-Class carries T in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 32 recall campaigns and 14 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VIN
Here is a real 2027 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN W1KNJ4GB4VJ036234 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
The Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VINs on record carry 4 different prefixes. The main one is WDD (Germany, 2014–2020), then WDC (Germany, 2015–2019):
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WDD | 2014–2020 | Germany | Passenger Car | |
| WDC | 2015–2019 | Germany | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | |
| W1K | 2021–2021 | Germany | Passenger Car | |
| W1N | 2021–2021 | Germany | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) |
Position 11 names the plant. On the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class it is not one number either — assembly moved between 2 of them over the years:
| Plant code | Years active | VINs on record | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| N | 2014–2021 | 11 | |
| J | 2015–2021 | 3 |
Counted from 14 dated Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class has not yet outlived: its 13 years still map one-to-one. All 13 model years of the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, 2014 to 2026, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | T | — |
| 2025 | S | — |
| 2024 | R | — |
| 2023 | P | — |
| 2022 | N | — |
| 2021 | M | — |
| 2020 | L | — |
| 2019 | K | — |
| 2018 | J | — |
| 2017 | H | — |
| 2016 | G | — |
| 2015 | F | — |
| 2014 | E | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 106 VINs the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class uses 6 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | S (44%) · 5 (44%) · F (10%) · N (1%) | 4 distinct |
| 5 — series | J (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | B (100%) | 1 distinct |
What a decoded Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VIN gets you
Behind a Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VIN: 14 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 32 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 14 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 28 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 13 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
A Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VIN normally opens with W1K; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 32 recall campaigns and 14 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class.
Why does my CLA-Class VIN start differently from another CLA-Class?
Because the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class was built under several maker codes, by plant and period. Across the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VINs on record we see 4 of them: WDD (2014–2020), WDC (2015–2019), W1K (2021–2021), W1N (2021–2021). Each is genuine for its years.
What year is my CLA-Class by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2026 CLA-Class carries T, a 2025 CLA-Class carries S, a 2024 CLA-Class carries R.
Where was my CLA-Class built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 14 dated Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VINs it reads N 79%, J 21%.
What does position 4 mean on a Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 106 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VINs here, S is the most common character in position 4, on 44% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with WDD, WDC or W1K. A plate that starts with anything else, or disagrees with the other copies of the number, needs documents checked before any money changes hands.
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