Brakes and Vin Number
 

I am contemplating a total brake job and it seems that my car changed brakes part way in the year. Without taking it apart to look, how do you get a production date from a Vin number?

And yes, I will take a couple of wheels off to look, but presumably there are other parts that are date-related?

Or, does the date come from the chassis number?

I don't believe the VIN contains the date, but the data plate on the driver's door should. The Russian MB club's VIN checker does report build date.

Part changes are delineated by the chassis serial number, marking the exact chassis where the switchover was made.

Thanks!