Mercedes Benz is synonymous with luxury features, innovative technologies, and exceptional performance. Nevertheless, every Mercedes Benz model is distinct, with its unique features and options that distinguish it from other models. This is where the Mercedes Benz Factory Plate becomes valuable as it is a comprehensive document that contains specific details about the features and options installed in a particular Mercedes Benz vehicle.
What is a Mercedes Benz Factory Plate?
The Mercedes Benz Factory Plate is an important document for Mercedes Benz enthusiasts and collectors, as it provides a detailed record of the vehicle’s original specifications and options. It can also be useful for owners who are interested in maintaining their vehicle’s originality or verifying the authenticity of a particular feature or option. Additionally, the factory plate can be used to identify specific parts or components that may need to be replaced or repaired.
Mercedes Benz Plate Location
The Mercedes Benz Factory Plate is typically located in the vehicle’s owner’s manual or maintenance booklet. It may also be located on the driver’s side door jamb or inside the trunk lid. If you are unable to locate your factory plate, you can contact your local Mercedes Benz dealership or the manufacturer’s customer service department for assistance.
Mercedes Benz Plate Location of the type plate on the radiator yoke on the 107, 124, 126, 129, 140, 201, 202 Series
For particular points relating to the 129, 140 and 202 Series, see also ‘’Mercedes Benz Factory Plate Location of the type plate on the B-spar’’ below The factory plate is screwed, with recessed head screws, onto the right-hand side of the upper stiffening plate for the radiator, (radiator yoke), in the direction of travel. It can be read from the front (some export vehicles use rivets).
On the 107 Series: The factory plate is screwed, with recessed head screws, onto the left-hand side of the upper stiffening plate for the radiator, (radiator yoke), in the direction of travel. It can be read from the front.
Location of the type plate on the right B-spar on the Series: 129, 140, 163, 164, 168, 169, 170, 171, 197, 202, 203, 204, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 215, 216, 219, 220, 221, 230, 245, 251, 414:
Starting in 1995, the type plate was glued onto the right B-spar on the 140 and 129 Series.
On the 202, after approximately VIN serial number 001000, the type plate is only found on the B-spar.
Various positions on the B-spar depending on the model:
N.B: Vehicles produced for the American market have the type plate (of various kinds) on the left B-spar.
Mercedes Benz factory Plate Location on the left A-spar on the Type 199:
On the Type 199 (SLR), the type plate is stuck onto the left A-spar behind the door lever. At the bottom left, instead of “Made in Germany”, the words “Made in England” can be found.
Form and Appearance of the Mercedes Benz Factory Plate
Type plate 1
There was as yet no World Manufacturer Identifier Code during the period when these Mercedes Benz Plates were in use (in the 1960s and 70s). ‘WDB’ was later used for Mercedes Benz. Therefore in those years the VIN consisted of 14 characters. The model/design number (i.e. on Mercedes Benz VIN Number of this type the first 6 characters) were already put on in plain printing by the plate manufacturer. During the 1960s there was a dot after the 3-character engine code. The remaining eight digits were embossed by the vehicle manufacturer.
Type plate 2
Type plate 3
Type plate 4
This type plate was only used on the 202 Series. When production of the 202 Series first began, circa 1000 vehicles were issued with type plate No 3. The type plate can vary depending on the country of destination, or whether or not it has an EEC type approval.
The base material is a metal foil covered in white. One side is adhesive.
Type plate 5
Type plate 6
Type plate 7
Type plate 8
Type plate 9
Apart from the type plate, all the other lasered plates used in the vehicles also use this basic foil.
Type plate 10
Like type plate No. 9; however, the Mercedes star and the written name “Mercedes Benz“ are no longer visible in a straight but a diagonal manner on the foil. Used approx. from the end of 2009.
There are other kinds of type plates for other regions
(here for a 124 version)
(here for a 126)
(here for a 221)
(here for a 212)
(here: for a Type W164)
(here: Type 221)
made in U.S.A (here: Type 163)
Exception: Factory plate AMG
The CLK AMG DTM shows a specific feature with the type sign. The vehicle is delivered as a CLK 200 by the Mercedes work in AMG and, hence, has a regular type sign No. 7 with the construction pattern 209 34. With the fa AMG the vehicle receives a completely other engine and bigger changes in the bodywork.
These changes become by an additional type sign with a so-called. Step 2 approval documents. On this additional type sign an independent VIN is registered (sequentially numbered), as it is nowhere to be found again, otherwise, however, in the vehicle. Hence, for the vehicle and his traffic licensing the FIN of the CLK 200 is furthermore a compressor as it is registered on the original-type sign and also is introduced in the vehicle in the metal, valid.
The method with the complementary type sign for the step 2 approval is also applied with some other AMG models (among other things with the CL-AMG / type 216).
The appearance of the type signs can easily vary. While, for instance, at the beginning of the production of the CL 63-AMG and CL 65-AMG a purely black foil was used and this was printed customarily, the original-security foil (with Mercedes logo and stroke is used from autumn, 2007 also with these models in the sloping light) and the registrations are put down by means of laser.
The additional AMG type plate is not always attached directly next to the original type plate. In the 216 model (CL-class), for example, it is attached to the right B-pillar above the lock.
Characteristic of SLS-AMG
The Factory plate of the Mercedes Benz SLS-AMG may differ from the other Mercedes type plates. For instance with respect to the vehicle equipment codes 966, 967, 968, 969, i.e. shipment with COC paper (= currently all shipments to Europe and the so-called ROW (rest of world) countries, except for U.S.A., Canada, etc.). In these cases, the manufacturer’s name is “MERCEDES-AMG GMBH“ instead of “DAIMLER AG“, and the Mercedes star plus the name “Mercedes“ written on the left side is replaced by the AMG logo. The VIN starts with the WMI “WMX“.
If the car is delivered without COC paper (i.e. without vehicle equipment codes 966, 697, 968, 969), „conventional“ type plates like type plate No. 10 or type plates according to the regulations in the U.S.A., Canada, etc. are used Manifacturer: „DAIMLER AG“, WMI: „WDD“).
Mercedes Benz Body Plate (Superstructure Plate) /Vehicle Data Plate and Production Plate
Mercedes Benz Body plate (Superstructure plate) in general
– is screwed onto the body shell
– is overpainted in the vehicle’s colour
– no paint should be visible under the body plate up until 7/93
– after 8/93 however, paint should be visible under the plate as it was mounted on small metal nipples
The plate is fixed onto the primed body shell using 2 recessed head screws. The body shell is then immersed in a paint bath. The body shell and its body plate are coveredwith a continuous layer of paint. The paint should extend continuously right up to the radiator yoke. If the plate is removed, the paint on the edges of the plate crumbles. A genuine plate should have no paint on the bodywork beneath it.
Since 1993 the plate has normally been placed on nipples. In the immersion tank paint also flows underneath the plate and leaves a layer of paint underneath the plate.
Location of the Mercedes Benz body plate (superstructure plate)
Attention:
Vehicles of the old M-Class (W163) and old A-Class (W168) do not have a body plate. Control of production at the works on these series was done by mans of a transponder placed in the left wing of a vehicle. When production was complete the transponder was removed from the vehicle.
Form and appearance of Mercedes Benz body plate (superstructure plate)
Mercedes Benz data plate
When production began on the 168, 215, 220 (1998 / 1999) and all following series, the vehicle data plate was introduced in place of the car body plate (until the introduction of the production plate in 2005). On the 163 Series the vehicle data plate was introduced in the course of the year 2000.
A second vehicle data plate was introduced on the 168, 215, 220 and most subsequent production series as a replacement for the production strip.
On the 129, 140, 170, 202, 208 and 210 series, the vehicle data plate was introduced in place of the production strip between 1997 and 1999.
(See also No. 6 and the following – assembly document and production stripe)
The vehicle data plate is identical to the type plate in the way it is produced and the material used.
3.2.2 Location of the vehicle data plate
Exception:
3.2.3 Location of the second vehicle data plate
Most series have a second vehicle data plate stuck onto the floor of the boot or on other locations in the boot (e.g. under the parcel shelf).
Exception:
Locations of the vehicle data plate
| Plate 1 | Plate 2 | |
| 163 | A or B Pillar | No second plate |
| 199 | Left A pillar beneath the type plate | No second plate |
| 168 | A or B pillar, and, from March 2002, stuck to the inside of the bonnet | In the boot, on the left, near the jack (the jack must first be removed) |
| 169 | Stuck onto the filler neck cavity | |
| 203 litre Saloon | Stuck onto the underside of the parcel shelf | |
| 203 Coupe / 171 | Stuck onto the floor of the boot | |
| 203 T-Model | Near the rear light, behind the trim | |
| 208 Coupe + Convertible | No second plate | |
| 209 Coupe + Convertible | Stuck onto the floor of the boot | |
| 210 litre Saloon | Stuck onto the underside of the parcel shelf | |
| 210 T-Model | Stuck onto the floor of the boot | |
| 211 | Stuck onto the filler neck cavity | |
| 219 | On the left, in the boot, on the rear panel | |
| 215 / 220 | Stuck onto the floor of the boot | |
| 230 | On the rear panel of the boot |
Form and appearance of the Mercedes Benz data plate
Since the 14/06/02 if becomes beginning with the new SL-Class (R 230) a new foil used. (see description type sign 7)
Mercedes Benz Production plate
All Mercedes Benz vehicles since the end of February/beginning of March 2005 (the 9th calendar week) have had a production plate instead of the vehicle data plate. A second vehicle data plate is not used.
Exception: The vehicle data plate was still used at first on the W164 and X164. Only after April 2006 was the production plate used.
Location of the Mercedes Benz production plate
The Mercedes Benz production plate is stuck onto the inner side of the bonnet. The exact location varies from model to model (further forward or back).
Exception McLaren SLR: The production sign is under the type plate in left A-spar one
Appearance and content of the Mercedes Benz production plate
The production plate is made of the same material as type plate 7 and resembles it in the use of the stylised “Mercedes star“ and the words “Mercedes-Benz” (which are visible under slanting light). The plate contains no other evidence of the manufacturer. The corners must have been precisely rounded off by the laser.
Examples:
The Mercedes Benz Factory Plate is an important document that provides valuable information about your vehicle’s unique features and options. Whether you’re a Mercedes Benz enthusiast or a casual owner, understanding your vehicle’s original specifications can help you make the most of your driving experience and maintain your vehicle’s value over time. If you’re not sure where to find your factory plate or need assistance interpreting its contents, don’t hesitate to contact your local Mercedes Benz dealership or the manufacturer’s customer service department.
