1.4.2  Breakdown of the US VIN (from model year 2002)

(applies to the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Korea, Saudi-Arabia, Israel, Jordan/West Bank)
WDC Y 49 F 2 2 X 123456
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1 =   World Manufacturer Identifier Code (WMI)
WDC = DaimlerAG
for U.S.A., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Korea, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Jordan/West Bank.
2  =  Series
Y = 463
Z = 461
3   =  Engine
R = Gasoline engine
S = Diesel engine
4   =  Engine
The last two digits of the model/series code (here 463.249)
see 
Model designation   461   463
Attention:
Since model year 2010 (MY letter “A“), the 7th position in the VIN must no longer be a number but a letter according to U.S. regulations.
In Mercedes-Benz cars, the numbers 0 to 9 in the 7th position (last figure of car type) of the VIN are replaced by the letters A to K.
Accordingly, as from MY 2010 (“A“), the 7th position of the VIN is as follows:
0 = A
1 = B
2 = C
3 = D
4 = E
5 = F
6 = G
7 = H
8 = J
9 = K
Accordingly, the G400 CDI Convertible of the 463 series (type number: 463.309), for example, is characterized by 0K instead of 09
5   =  Weight class codes (max. permissible weight)
E = 6001-7000 pounds (2723-3,175 kg)
F = 7001-8000 pounds (3176-3,629 kg)
G = 8001-9000 pounds (3630-4,083 kg)
H = 9001-10000 pounds (4084-4537 kg)
6   =  Check digit
0 to 9 (or X for 10), calculated on the basis a particular code from the remaining 16 characters of the VIN
7 =  Model Year
1 = 2001
2 = 2002
3 = 2003
4 = 2004
5 = 2005
6 = 2006
7 = 2007
8 = 2008
9 = 2009
A = 2010
B = 2011
C = 2012
D = 2013
8  =  Assembly Plant
X = Graz / Austria
9   =  Serial number