OK this might sound weird, but here goes.

I'm trying to figure out the VIN Number of a car I sold a couple years back. It was a 1985 300D.

I found my old insurance records, and found the number listed on them. The Company lists the VIN Number as:
WDB123130FA215511
But when plugged into carfax or any other VIN information or decoder tool, it shows up as invalid.

After looking at the VIN numbers on similar model year cars, I found that those 6 digits in between B and F make no sense. After reading up on what the Mercedes VIN Number means (Still don't have a very good site for this, had to piece it together) I have made up the middle numbers to look something like this:
WDBAB33(XX)FA215511

I still cant figure out for the love of me what those two digits (XX) mean. I have tried combinations using the Mini-carfax look up (without paying, so i don't get any info, just whether it works or not) and found that "A5" and "C3" work.

Can anyone tell me what those 2 digits mean? And why more than one combination would work? I thought the last 6 Digits were unique to every vehicle.

Thanks in advance!

__________________
I love my cars to death but my wallet sure doesn't.

Try this:

http://hunterftp.hunter.com/~dsaitz/mb-vin.htm

Haasman

__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)

That VIN is for a euro version non-turbo car.

For USA cars from 1980 the 8th digit is the year model & the 9th digit is a RANDOM check digit or X.

__________________
MERCEDES Benz Master Guild Technician (6 TIMES)
ASE Master Technician
Mercedes Benz Star Technician (2 times)
44 years foreign automotive repair
27 Years M.B. Shop foreman (dealer)
MB technical information Specialist (15 years)
190E 2.3 16V ITS SCCA race car (sold)
1986 190E 2.3 16V 2.5 (sold)
Retired Moderator

Well I talked to my father who owned the car for the majority of its life, and it turns out it WAS grey market, or imported from Germany.

Is there anywhere I can look up that original VIN number to find records on it or am I just outta luck?

__________________
I love my cars to death but my wallet sure doesn't.

All is much easier. At you one sign is incorrectly specified. Actually, there cannot be FA, there 1A. If will change this sign all very much even is not bad defined.
European VIN at all have no there 2х letters, only figure 1 (LHD) or 2 (RHD) and the letter of a factory.

VIN WDB1231301A215511
Model 300 D
Chassis 1231301A215511
Engine 617912 12 161648
Transmission 722405 02 147924
Order 0 - 233 40519
Approx. year not defined
Lights HELLA
Dealer Bremen branch (233)
Interior fabric date (054)
Paint
904 midnight (dark) blue
Options
410 electric sliding roof
420 automatic transmission, floor shift
430 headrests in the rear
440 tempomat (cruise control)
466 central locking system
504 outside rear view mirror, right, electrically adjustable
511 Becker radio Grand Prix cassette electronic stereo, Kurier, LW/MW/USW
531 automatic antenna
543 sun visor with vanity mirror, illuminated, left and right
570 folding armrest front
586 Behr air conditioner, and electric window lifters (front and rear doors)
590 heat-insulating glass, all-around, heated rear window pane (laminated glass), Germany
640 aluminium disc wheels with radial-ply tires
812 rear-mounted loudspeaker
873 seat heater for left and right front seats

WBR
Alexey Markov

THANKS Am/Pm... THATS THE CAR!

The truth is, my fathers's birthday is coming up. He bought this car brand new in 1985, and drove it for 15 years. He loved that car. He sold it a couple years back, and has regretted selling it ever day since.

I know it's a longshot - but I thought it would be cool to buy the car back and drive up to his house in it. And I thought having the VIN number would help me in my search.

Thanks for the help guys.

__________________
I love my cars to death but my wallet sure doesn't.