A Mercedes-Benz M-Class VIN opens with 4JG (the United States). A 2019 M-Class carries K in position 10.
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How to read a Mercedes-Benz M-Class VIN
Here is a real 2011 Mercedes-Benz M-Class VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 4JGBB2FB1BA704692 — 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. |
Where Mercedes-Benz M-Class VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 40 Mercedes-Benz M-Class VINs we have on file, these are the codes that actually show up — and the plants behind them:
| WMI | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on file | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4JG | United States | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | 40 |
Country and vehicle type come from the NHTSA manufacturer registry. Share is measured across VINs decoded on ForCar, not production volume.
Model-year codes for the Mercedes-Benz M-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 M-Class has not yet outlived: its 21 years still map one-to-one. All 21 model years of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class, 1995 to 2019, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | K | — |
| 2018 | J | — |
| 2017 | H | — |
| 2016 | G | — |
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
| 2009 | 9 | — |
| 2008 | 8 | — |
| 2007 | 7 | — |
| 2006 | 6 | — |
| 2005 | 5 | — |
| 2004 | 4 | — |
| 2003 | 3 | — |
| 2002 | 2 | — |
| 2001 | 1 | — |
| 2000 | Y | — |
| 1999 | X | — |
| 1998 | W | — |
| 1997 | V | — |
| 1996 | T | — |
| 1995 | S | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Mercedes-Benz M-Class VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 40 VINs the Mercedes-Benz M-Class uses 5 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | B (83%) · A (18%) | 2 distinct |
| 5 — series | B (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 8 — engine | E (83%) · B (18%) | 2 distinct |
What a decoded Mercedes-Benz M-Class VIN gets you
What a decoded VIN opens up:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 16 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Model years covered | 21 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Mercedes-Benz M-Class
A Mercedes-Benz M-Class VIN normally opens with 4JG; 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 M-Class VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 16 recall campaigns NHTSA holds on the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.
What year is my M-Class by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2019 M-Class carries K, a 2018 M-Class carries J, a 2017 M-Class carries H.
What does position 4 mean on a Mercedes-Benz M-Class VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 40 Mercedes-Benz M-Class VINs here, B is the most common character in position 4, on 83% of them.
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