Most Mercedes-Benz Metris VINs open with WD4 (Germany, 2016–2018) or WD3 (Germany, 2016–2018). Position 11, the plant, reads 3; a 2026 Metris carries T in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 0 recall campaigns and 179 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Mercedes-Benz Metris VIN
Here is a real 2023 Mercedes-Benz Metris VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN W1WV0FEY1P4361672 — 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 Metris VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
The Mercedes-Benz Metris VINs on record carry 2 different prefixes. The main one is WD4 (Germany, 2016–2018), then WD3 (Germany, 2016–2018):
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WD4 | 2016–2018 | Germany | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | |
| WD3 | 2016–2018 | Germany | Truck |
Counted from 177 dated Mercedes-Benz Metris VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Mercedes-Benz Metris
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Mercedes-Benz Metris has not yet outlived: its 11 years still map one-to-one. All 11 model years of the Mercedes-Benz Metris, 2016 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 | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Mercedes-Benz Metris VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 13 VINs the Mercedes-Benz Metris uses 10 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | V (62%) · P (31%) · B (8%) | 3 distinct |
| 5 — series | 0 (62%) · G (38%) | 2 distinct |
| 8 — engine | Y (46%) · E (23%) · A (15%) · Z (8%) · M (8%) | 5 distinct |
What a decoded Mercedes-Benz Metris VIN gets you
Behind a Mercedes-Benz Metris VIN: 179 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Owner complaints | 179 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 22 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Model years covered | 11 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Mercedes-Benz Metris
A Mercedes-Benz Metris VIN normally opens with W1Y; 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 Metris VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows the recalls and 179 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Mercedes-Benz Metris.
Why does my Metris VIN start differently from another Metris?
Because the Mercedes-Benz Metris was built under several maker codes, by plant and period. Across the Mercedes-Benz Metris VINs on record we see 2 of them: WD4 (2016–2018), WD3 (2016–2018). Each is genuine for its years.
What year is my Metris by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2026 Metris carries T, a 2025 Metris carries S, a 2024 Metris carries R.
Where was my Metris built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 179 dated Mercedes-Benz Metris VINs it reads 3 98%.
What does position 4 mean on a Mercedes-Benz Metris VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 13 Mercedes-Benz Metris VINs here, V is the most common character in position 4, on 62% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Mercedes-Benz Metris check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with WD4 or WD3. 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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