Most Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VINs open with WDD (Germany, 2006). Position 11, the plant, reads A; a 2023 CLS-Class carries P in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 36 recall campaigns and 1 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VIN
Here is a real 2022 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN W1K2J5KB8NA098560 — 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 CLS-Class VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
Every Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class we have on record, all from 2006, opens with the same three characters, WDD:
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WDD | 2006–2006 | Germany | Passenger Car |
Counted from 1 dated Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Mercedes-Benz CLS-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 CLS-Class has not yet outlived: its 19 years still map one-to-one. All 19 model years of the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, 2005 to 2023, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | P | — |
| 2022 | N | — |
| 2021 | M | — |
| 2020 | L | — |
| 2019 | K | — |
| 2018 | J | — |
| 2017 | H | — |
| 2016 | G | — |
| 2015 | F | — |
| 2014 | E | — |
| 2013 | D | — |
| 2012 | C | — |
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
| 2005 | 5 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 45 VINs the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class uses 6 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | L (58%) · 2 (22%) · D (20%) | 3 distinct |
| 5 — series | J (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | B (80%) · X (20%) | 2 distinct |
What a decoded Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VIN gets you
Behind a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VIN: 1 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 36 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 1 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 21 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 19 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
A Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VIN normally opens with WDD; 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 CLS-Class VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 36 recall campaigns and 1 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class.
What year is my CLS-Class by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2023 CLS-Class carries P, a 2022 CLS-Class carries N, a 2021 CLS-Class carries M.
Where was my CLS-Class built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 1 dated Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VINs it reads A 100%.
What does position 4 mean on a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 45 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class VINs here, L is the most common character in position 4, on 58% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with WDD. 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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