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  #1  
Old 09-16-2007, 12:47 PM
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Anyone with a gray-market import help with a VIN question?

I'm currently doing some VIN research for a friend, and the info from the seller seems all wrong. VIN positions 1-3 check out (manufacturer), 4 doesn't (model). Fuel type seems to be wrong, and the check digit doesn't match up. Some other oddness too, it's got a plant code I've never seen before (Rastatt?).

I'm thinking this may be a gray-market import, and thus the VIN code is radically different, or there's some serious fraud going on here.

Could anyone who has a Euro model year 83-85 W123 coupe, sedan, or wagon post or PM the first 11 digits for comparison? Or at least tell me if they decode the same way as the US versions, i.e.:
Quote:
Positions 1-3, World Manufacturer Identifier:
  • WDB Daimler-Benz (Daimler-Chrysler after 1999)
Position 4, model or series:
  • A W123
  • B W102
  • D W201
  • C W126 S-Class
  • E W124 E-Class
  • F R129 SL-Class
  • K R170 SLK-Class
  • G W140 S-Class
  • H W202 C-Class
  • J W210 E-Class
  • N W220 S-Class
  • P W215 CL-Class
  • R W203 C-Class
  • S R230 SL-Class
  • U W211 E-Class
  • W R171 SLK-Class
Position 5, engine type:
  • A = gasoline
  • B = diesel
Positions 6-7, model within the series:
Position 8, safety restraint system:
  • D seat belt + emergency pretensioners, driver front air bags
  • E seat belt + emergency pretensioners, driver and passenger front air bags
  • F seat belt + emergency pretensioners, driver and passenger front and side air bags
Position 9, check digit
Position 10, model year:Position 11, production plant:
  • A-E Sindelfingen
  • F-H Bremen
  • J Rastatt
Positions 12-17, chassis number


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Old 09-16-2007, 02:18 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lonewolftek View Post
I'm currently doing some VIN research for a friend, and the info from the seller seems all wrong. VIN positions 1-3 check out (manufacturer), 4 doesn't (model). Fuel type seems to be wrong, and the check digit doesn't match up. Some other oddness too, it's got a plant code I've never seen before (Rastatt?).

I'm thinking this may be a gray-market import, and thus the VIN code is radically different, or there's some serious fraud going on here.

Could anyone who has a Euro model year 83-85 W123 coupe, sedan, or wagon post or PM the first 11 digits for comparison? Or at least tell me if they decode the same way as the US versions, i.e.:
Euros dont have VIN's they have serial numbers. Have you plugged it into the russian site?
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  #3  
Old 09-16-2007, 05:09 PM
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Old 09-16-2007, 05:52 PM
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gray market import 1984 300TD turbo (originally sold in Germany):

WDB1231931F

US spec 1985 300TD turbo (originally sold in Kansas):

WDBAB93C8FF

On the 84 euro, the "VIN" is just the chassis number preceeded by WDB.
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  #5  
Old 09-16-2007, 08:53 PM
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Winmutt,
I did try the Russian site, came back as nothing.

Douglas,
Thanks! That comparison was exactly what I needed; it seems the "VIN" for Euro models follows a different format than I had expected. Is the number on the Euro 17 or 18 digits long?
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Old 09-16-2007, 10:09 PM
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This is what a Euro Vin # for a 123 coupe looks like: WDB1232431A0xxxxx
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  #7  
Old 09-17-2007, 12:14 AM
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lietuviai, you're sure it's 17 digits?

I *think* I've got it down, almost - the three digits after the manufacturer are the chassis series (123), not sure of the next three, followed by I'm guessing right- or left-hand drive and then assembly plant.

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