Mercedes C Class VIN Number Decoder and Chassis Number Lookup
Decode any C Class VIN below, find the chassis number on any W202 to W206, then decode the option codes from the Mercedes data card to get the full factory spec.
Try It Yourself. Copy/Paste This Mercedes C Class VIN Into Our Decoder Below: 55SWF4KB9JU123456
VIN Decoder & Build Sheet
Check VIN identity, factory spec, recalls, complaints, and ownership risks before you buy.
Pre Purchase VIN Check
Fuel Economy, Emissions & Running Cost
EPA fuel economy for the vehicle year and model profile.
Additional Vehicle Specs
Supplementary spec matching for output such as power, transmission, size, and weight.
Recalls, Complaints & Mechanical Failures
Model level safety and complaint data for the decoded year, make, and model.
Vehicle Ownership Insights
Platform specific reliability patterns, critical engine platform audits, and pre purchase inspection guidance.
Likely Factory Option Profile
Probability model for common package combinations around this production era.
The free scan verifies identity and surfaces early risk signals. The paid report goes deeper into what those signals mean for ownership, repairs, and buying confidence.
Unlock Full VIN ReportWhere Is the VIN Number on a Mercedes C Class?
The VIN, also called the chassis number, is 17 characters long on every C Class from the W202 to the W206. It sits in the same places on most cars. Check it matches the V5C or title before you look at anything else.
On the car
- Plate at the bottom of the windscreen, readable from outside
- Data plate on the door pillar, which also shows the paint code on many C Classes
- Stamped into the body, in the engine bay or under the front floor covering depending on the generation
- In the Mercedes me app and the vehicle information menus on newer cars
On the paperwork
- The V5C logbook in the UK, listed as VIN, chassis or frame number
- The title and registration in the US
- The service book and Mercedes service invoices
- Insurance documents and finance agreements
Chassis number and VIN mean the same thing. In the UK the V5C shows it as the VIN, chassis or frame number. Mercedes also calls it the FIN.
How to Read a Mercedes C Class VIN
Mercedes uses two VIN formats. Cars built for the US and Canada use a format with a check digit and a model year. Cars built for the UK and Europe put the C Class model number straight into the VIN, so you can read the chassis code without decoding anything.
US and Canadian C Class VINs
Example US format: 55SWF4KB9JU123456, a 2018 W205 C 300 4MATIC built in Vance, Alabama
- Positions 1 to 3: Manufacturer
- WDB on older C Classes, WDD from the W204, and W1K on newer cars. 55S means the car was built in Vance, Alabama.
- Positions 4 to 8: Model line, body and engine
- The first two letters are the model line and body, like GF for a W204 sedan or WF for a W205 sedan. The next two show the engine and drive, and the last letter the restraint system.
- Position 9: Check digit
- Validates the VIN on US cars. It can be a number or the letter X, which stands for 10.
- Position 10: Model year
- J is 2018, A is 2010 and P is 2023. Letters repeat every 30 years.
- Position 11: Plant
- F is Bremen in Germany, R is East London in South Africa and U is Vance in Alabama.
- Positions 12 to 17: Serial number
- The production number for that car.
UK and European C Class VINs
Example UK and European format: WDD2040772F123456, a W204 C 63 AMG saloon. Model number 204.077
- Positions 1 to 3: Manufacturer
- WDB, WDD or W1K, the same as US cars.
- Positions 4 to 6: Chassis code
- The C Class generation in plain numbers. 202, 203, 204, 205 or 206.
- Positions 7 to 9: Model and engine
- Together with positions 4 to 6, this is the Mercedes model number, like 204.077 for a W204 C 63 AMG saloon.
- Positions 10 and 11: Code and plant
- A Mercedes code, then the plant letter, like F for Bremen or R for East London.
- Positions 12 to 17: Serial number
- The production number for that car.
UK and European VINs don't carry a model year or a check digit. Use the V5C first registration date or the data card for the year.
What the start of a US C Class VIN means
These come from real US VINs. The two letters after the manufacturer code tell you the generation and body, and the next two narrow it down to the model.
| VIN starts | Model | Years |
|---|---|---|
| WDBHA | W202 C Class sedan, like WDBHA29G for a C 280 | 1994 to 2000 |
| WDBRF | W203 C Class sedan, like WDBRF61J for a C 240 | 2001 to 2007 |
| WDBRH | S203 C Class wagon | 2002 to 2005 |
| WDDGF4HB | W204 C 250 sedan | 2012 to 2014 |
| WDDGF8BB | W204 C 300 4MATIC sedan | 2008 to 2014 |
| WDDGF7HB | W204 C 63 AMG sedan | 2008 to 2014 |
| WDDGJ | C204 C Class coupe | 2012 to 2015 |
| 55SWF4KB, WDDWF4KB | W205 C 300 4MATIC sedan | 2015 to 2018 |
| 55SWF8DB, 55SWF8EB | W205 C 300 and C 300 4MATIC sedan with the M264 engine | 2019 to 2021 |
| 55SWF6EB | W205 AMG C 43 4MATIC sedan | 2017 to 2021 |
| 55SWF8GB, 55SWF8HB | W205 AMG C 63 and C 63 S sedan | 2015 to 2021 |
| WDDWJ, WDDWK | C205 coupe and A205 cabriolet | 2017 on |
| W1KWF | W205 sedan with the newer manufacturer code | 2021 |
| W1KAF4GB, W1KAF4HB | W206 C 300 and C 300 4MATIC sedan | 2022 on |
| W1KAF8HB | W206 AMG C 43 sedan | 2023 on |
Mercedes C Class model year codes
Position 10 on US and Canadian VINs only. The C Class launched in the US for the 1994 model year.
- R1994
- S1995
- T1996
- V1997
- W1998
- X1999
- Y2000
- 12001
- 22002
- 32003
- 42004
- 52005
- 62006
- 72007
- 82008
- 92009
- A2010
- B2011
- C2012
- D2013
- E2014
- F2015
- G2016
- H2017
- J2018
- K2019
- L2020
- M2021
- N2022
- P2023
- R2024
- S2025
- T2026
Mercedes model years start mid year, so a C Class built in summer 2017 can be a 2018 car.
Mercedes C Class Chassis Codes: W202, W203, W204, W205 and W206
Every C Class generation has a W number, and the body styles get their own letter. W is the saloon or sedan, S the estate, C the coupe and A the cabriolet. So a W205 estate is an S205 and a W205 coupe is a C205. The number is the same, and on UK cars it's printed right in the VIN.
1993 to 2000
The first C Class. Saloon and estate, with the C 36 AMG and V8 C 43 AMG at the top. US cars were sedans only.
2000 to 2007
Saloon, estate and the CL203 Sport Coupe hatchback. The C 230 Kompressor, C 240 and C 320 were common, with the C 32 AMG and C 55 AMG on top.
2007 to 2014
Saloon, estate and from 2011 a coupe. The C 63 AMG with its 6.2 V8 is the collector car. A facelift in 2011 brought a new interior.
2014 to 2021
Saloon, estate, coupe and cabriolet. US sedans were built in Alabama. The facelift for 2019 brought new engines and screens.
2021 on
Saloon and estate only, with four cylinder engines and mild hybrid help. The coupe and cabriolet moved to the CLE.
C 63 by generation
C 63 AMG V8 on the W204, C 63 and C 63 S V8 on the W205, and the C 63 S E Performance hybrid on the W206.
| Chassis code | Body | How to confirm it |
|---|---|---|
| W202, W203, W204, W205, W206 | Saloon or sedan | UK VIN starts WDB or WDD then the number. US VIN shows HA, RF, GF, WF or AF. |
| S203, S204, S205, S206 | Estate or wagon | The V5C body type and the model number on the data card |
| CL203 | Sport Coupe hatchback | Three door hatchback body. It was later sold as the CLC. |
| C204, C205 | Coupe | Two doors. US VIN shows GJ or WJ. |
| A205 | Cabriolet | Soft top. US VIN shows WK. |
Mercedes C Class Paint Colours and Codes
Mercedes paint codes are three digits, and the data card often adds a letter, so Palladium Silver shows as 792 or 792U. The code is on the data card and on the data plate in the door pillar or under the bonnet, so a resprayed C Class is easy to spot.
W204 C Class
W205 C Class
W206 C Class
Swatches are a guide only, and designo offered more colours to order. The code on your car is the proof.
Can You Get a Mercedes C Class Data Card From the VIN?
Not from the 17 characters. The VIN gives you the generation, the body, the engine on US cars and the plant, but not the options or the trim.
Mercedes keeps a data card for every car, called the vehicle data card or build sheet. It lists the model number, paint, upholstery and every option code. Here's how to get it.
Mercedes dealer Easiest
Ask the service desk to print the vehicle data card from the VIN. It lists every factory option code with a description.
A Mercedes parts counter
Parts staff look up the data card to order the right parts, so they can often read out the option codes too.
Window sticker or order form
The original US window sticker or the UK order confirmation lists the packages and options by name. Match them to the codes below.
The car itself
Look up at the roof, check the seat heating and the speakers, and look for AMG badges and bodywork. They back up the paperwork.
Copy the codes from the data card and paste them into the decoder below to get your full C Class options list.
Mercedes C Class Data Card Decoder
Paste the option codes from your C Class data card and get a readable options list, grouped by system. Paint codes with a letter on the end, like 792U, work too.
Separate codes with spaces, commas or new lines.
Codes not in our list
Look up a single code
Search by code or keyword. Covers option codes, packages, paint and engine codes.
Type a code or keyword to see matches.
Tip: click any code to copy it. Some codes changed meaning between generations, so check anything important against the data card.
Mercedes C Class Engines by Generation
The badge on a C Class doesn't always tell you the engine, because Mercedes reused badges across very different engines. The engine code on the data card does. Here are the main petrol engines in each generation.
| Generation | Common models | Engines |
|---|---|---|
| W203 | C 230 Kompressor, C 240, C 280, C 350, C 55 AMG | M271 four cylinder, V6 engines including the M272, AMG V8 |
| W204 | C 250, C 300, C 350, C 63 AMG | M271 1.8 turbo, M272 V6, M156 6.2 V8 |
| W205 to 2018 | C 300, AMG C 43, AMG C 63 | M274 2.0 turbo, M276 V6, M177 4.0 V8 |
| W205 from 2019 | C 300, AMG C 43, AMG C 63 | M264 2.0 turbo, M276 V6, M177 4.0 V8 |
| W206 | C 300, AMG C 43, AMG C 63 S E Performance | M254 2.0 turbo mild hybrid, M139 2.0 turbo |
Diesels in the UK
Most UK C Classes are diesels. The C 220 CDI and C 250 CDI on the W204, and the C 220d and C 300d on the W205 and W206. The data card shows the engine code.
AMG or AMG Line
AMG Line (950) and AMG styling (772) are styling packages. A full AMG car shows the AMG engine code and model number on the data card. Badges are easy to add, the data card isn't.
Mercedes C Class Common Problems by Engine
Most C Class problems are tied to one engine or gearbox, so the engine code on the data card tells you what to check.
| Engine or system | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| M272 V6, early cars | Balance shaft or idler gear wear, engine warning light | Affects early engines only. A Mercedes dealer can check the engine serial number against the fix. |
| M271 four cylinder | Timing chain stretch, rattle on cold starts | Ask for timing chain records on high mileage cars. |
| M274 four cylinder | Oil leaking from the camshaft magnets into the wiring | A known leak with a simple fix. Check the top of the engine. |
| M156 V8, C 63 AMG | Head bolt problems on early engines, camshaft wear | Expensive to fix. Ask if the head bolts were replaced. |
| 7G-TRONIC gearbox | Harsh or delayed shifts, warning messages | Often a valve body or conductor plate fault. Check the gearbox service history. |
| AMG Line on a non AMG | AMG badges on a car with a non AMG engine code | Only the data card proves a real AMG. |
How to Check Mercedes C Class Recalls
Recall campaigns differ by market and generation, so check through the channel that covers where the car was sold.
In the UK
Use the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK with the make, model and year, then ask a Mercedes dealer to run the VIN.
In the US
Run the VIN through the decoder above for NHTSA recall records, or use the NHTSA recall lookup or Mercedes' own recall check.
Imported cars
A C Class imported from another market may never have had recall work done. A Mercedes dealer can check the VIN against every open campaign.
Ask for proof every recall was completed, not just booked. On older C Classes, airbag campaigns are the ones to check first.
Mercedes C Class Option Codes List
The full list behind the data card decoder, grouped by system. Codes vary by generation, year and market, so verify anything important against your own data card.
Mercedes C Class package and line codes
- 950AMG Line
- P29AMG Line interior
- P31AMG Line exterior
- 772AMG styling, front spoiler and side skirts. Not proof of a full AMG car
- 776Wider wheel arches for AMG wheels
- U59Seat comfort package
- U62Exterior light and sight package
Packages changed by year and market. UK cars often show AMG Line as 950 with P29 and P31 for the interior and exterior parts.
Mercedes C Class engine codes
- M2711.8 four cylinder, supercharged then turbocharged. W203 C230 Kompressor and W204 C250
- M272V6 petrol, W203 and W204 C280, C300 and C350
- M2742.0 turbo four cylinder, W205 C300 to 2018
- M2642.0 turbo four cylinder, W205 C300 from 2019
- M2542.0 turbo four cylinder with mild hybrid, W206 C300
- M2763.0 twin turbo V6, W205 AMG C43
- M1566.2 V8, W204 C63 AMG
- M1774.0 twin turbo V8, W205 AMG C63 and C63 S
- M1392.0 turbo four cylinder, W206 AMG C43 and C63 S E Performance
- M654OM654 diesel, W205 C220d and C300d in the UK and Europe
Engine codes show on the data card and the engine itself. On a UK data card the diesel engine can show as M654 for the OM654.
Mercedes C Class paint codes
- 040Black, solid, most generations
- 650Calcite White, solid, W204
- 149Polar White, solid, W205 and W206
- 197Obsidian Black Metallic, W204 to W206
- 744Brilliant Silver Metallic, W203 and W204
- 755Tenorite Grey Metallic, W204
- 775Iridium Silver Metallic, W204 and W205
- 792Palladium Silver Metallic, W204 and W205
- 799Diamond White Metallic, W204 to W206
- 590Mars Red, solid, W204
- 988Diamond Silver Metallic, W204 and W205
- 890Cavansite Blue Metallic, W205 and W206
- 896Brilliant Blue Metallic, W205
- 992Selenite Grey Metallic, W205 and W206
- 993Patagonia Red Metallic, W205 and W206
- 996Hyacinth Red Metallic, designo, W205 and W206
- 831Graphite Grey Metallic, W205 and W206
- 859Mojave Silver Metallic, W205 and W206
- 922High-tech Silver Metallic, W205 and W206
- 970Spectral Blue Metallic, W206
- 989Emerald Green Metallic, W205 and W206
Swatches are a guide only. Data cards often add a letter, so 792U is paint code 792. The decoder accepts both.
Mercedes C Class seat and comfort codes
- 873Heated front seats
- 872Heated rear seats
- 401Ventilated front seats
- 275Memory package, seats and mirrors
- 580Automatic climate control, THERMATIC
- 581Automatic climate control, THERMOTRONIC
- L5CSupersport steering wheel
- 732Bird's eye maple wood trim
Seats and climate control are easy to check from the driver's seat.
Mercedes C Class roof and exterior codes
- 413Panoramic sunroof
- 414Glass sliding sunroof
- 889KEYLESS-GO keyless entry and start
- 614Bi-xenon headlights
- 840Dark tinted glass
Roof codes are easy to check by looking up.
Mercedes C Class driver assistance and audio codes
- 218Reversing camera
- 220PARKTRONIC parking sensors
- 233DISTRONIC adaptive cruise control
- 234Blind Spot Assist
- 440TEMPOMAT cruise control
- 475Tyre pressure monitoring
- 810Premium sound system. Harman Kardon on the W204, Burmester on the W205
- 79BDAB digital radio
Assistance systems are mostly software and sensors, so check the code, then check the menus.
Mercedes C Class market and model year codes
- 494US version
- 801Model year code. Mercedes uses codes in the 800s to mark the model year change
- 927Euro 6 exhaust treatment
These codes don't add equipment, but they explain where and when a car was built for.
Mercedes C Class features, trims and package names
The names you'll see in listings, on order forms and in the menus. Search any of them in the decoder above to find the code behind it.
- W202
- W203
- W204
- W205
- W206
- S203
- S204
- S205
- S206
- CL203
- C204
- C205
- A205
- Saloon
- Sedan
- Estate
- Coupe
- Cabriolet
- C 180
- C 200
- C 220d
- C 250
- C 300
- C 300d
- C 350e
- C 230 Kompressor
- C 240
- C 280
- C 32 AMG
- C 55 AMG
- C 63 AMG
- AMG C 43
- AMG C 63 S
- C 63 S E Performance
- 4MATIC
- BlueEFFICIENCY
- AMG Line
- Sport package
- Premium package
- Night package
- Avantgarde
- Elegance
- Exclusive
- Sport
- AIRMATIC
- DYNAMIC SELECT
- 7G-TRONIC
- 9G-TRONIC
- COMAND
- MBUX
- Burmester
- Harman Kardon
- KEYLESS-GO
- DISTRONIC
- PARKTRONIC
- Panoramic sunroof
- Multibeam LED
- Data card
- FIN
- Chassis number
- Vance, Alabama
- Bremen
- East London
Mercedes C Class VIN and Chassis Number FAQs
Where is the VIN number on a Mercedes C Class?
On a plate at the bottom of the windscreen, on the data plate in the door pillar, and stamped into the body. It's also on the V5C in the UK and the title in the US.
Is the chassis number the same as the VIN?
Yes. Chassis number, VIN and FIN all mean the same 17 character number. The V5C lists it as the VIN, chassis or frame number.
How do I find the chassis code from my C Class VIN?
On a UK or European car, read positions 4 to 6. A VIN starting WDD204 is a W204 and W1K205 is a W205. On a US car, the two letters after the manufacturer code show it, like GF for a W204 sedan and WF for a W205 sedan.
What does 55S mean on a Mercedes VIN?
55S means the car was built in Vance, Alabama. Many US W205 C Class sedans start 55SWF.
What are the C Class chassis codes?
W202, W203, W204, W205 and W206 for the saloon. S for the estate, C for the coupe, A for the cabriolet, and CL203 for the W203 Sport Coupe.
Can I see the options on my C Class from the VIN?
Not from the 17 characters alone. The options are on the Mercedes data card, which a dealer can print from the VIN. Paste the option codes into the decoder above.
How do I tell the year from a UK C Class VIN?
UK and European VINs don't carry a model year. Use the first registration date on the V5C or the data card.
Does AMG Line mean my C Class is an AMG?
No. AMG Line, code 950, is a styling package. A real AMG shows an AMG model number and engine code on the data card.
What is the paint code for Palladium Silver?
792. The data card may show it as 792U. It was one of the most common colours on the W204.
Dale Ogden
Dale has spent more than 20 years in vehicle valuations, forecasting and asset management. He was a Forecast Manager at CAP HPI, the UK's leading vehicle valuation authority and a counterpart to Kelley Blue Book.
He helped pioneer early electric vehicle depreciation models adopted by major manufacturers, and his residual value forecasts cover more than 10,000 vehicles. Today his data led insights help buyers, enthusiasts and automotive professionals around the world.
What Is Your Mercedes C Class Spec Worth?
AMG Line, a panoramic sunroof, Burmester sound, a real AMG engine, a rare designo colour. Two C Classes can look the same in photos and be worth very different money. See what the options on yours are worth today.
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Comparing the C Class with a rival? Each guide covers the VIN, the build sheet codes and the common options for that model.
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