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3 ways to identify Model Designation on Mercedes-Benz vehicles

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Mercedes-Benz vehicle is typically identified by so-called Model Designation or Sales Designation. Unlike most Domestic and Asian vehicles which uses Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), Mercedes-Benz use 6-digit model number to designate their vehicles. These 6-digital model number is not only used for sales and marketing purposes but is also important in scan tool diagnostics. Before diagnosing any Mercedes-Benz vehicle with any OEM-level scan tool, it is important to correctly identify the model number in order to retrieve accurate diagnostic data. There are at least 3 ways to find the model number:

Vehicle Identification on/before 2000MY

For most 2000 (sometimes 2001) or older Mercedes-Benz models, the vehicle model designation are usually displayed on the body plate which is located on the chassis frame above the radiator under the engine compartment. A typical body plate is show in figure 1:

Figure 1

Note that the second row on the body plate indicates the 6-digit model number. In this case, the model number is 124.032.

Vehicle Identification after 2000MY

For most 2001 or newer Mercedes-Benz models, the body plate is eliminated under the engine compartment but the model number can still be retrieved indirectly through the information on the sticker labels around the front driver side's door jam as shown in Figure 2:

Figure 2

Note that there are two labels around the driver side's door jam. One for VIN number and another one for the vehicle specifications. On the VIN label, first record the 6th and 7th digits of the VIN. These two digits correspond to last two digits of the model number. For example, the 6th and 7th digits of the VIN shown in Figure 3 are 7 and 0 respectively:

Figure 3

Therefore, the last 3-digit of the model number is 170. Now, in order to find the 1st three digits of the model number, you have to look at the vehicle specification label as shown in figure 4:

Figure 4

On the vehicle specification label, look for the three digits right after the alphabet on the right edge of the label. These will be the 1st three digits of the model number. In this case, it is 220. Therefore, the 6-digit model number is 220.170 which is S430.

Service Repair manuals

You can also find the complete list of Mercedes-Benz sales and model designation from their technical information website or from other third-party vehicle service repair information database like AllData, Mitchell On Demand, etc. These third-party service information database require monthly subscriptions. 

Feel free to share your idea or tell us any other way to identify Mercedes-Benz vehicle!!!