Originally Posted by lonewolftek

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.: