Where is the chassis number stamped on the Mercedes-Benz S350?
2 Answers
The chassis number stamp on the Mercedes-Benz S350 is located inside the engine compartment under the hood, on the nameplate at the upper left corner of the engine, consisting of 17 characters. The chassis number contains important information such as the vehicle manufacturer, year, model, code, engine code, and assembly location. Chassis number locations: Most chassis numbers are placed in conspicuous locations, commonly found at the lower left corner of the front windshield, or on the driver's side door hinge pillar, door lock pillar, engine compartment, etc. Additionally, the chassis number can also be found on the vehicle registration certificate and insurance policy. Chassis number explanation: The chassis number is a 17-character serial number composed of digits and letters. The first digit identifies the country/region of origin. The second digit identifies the vehicle manufacturer. The third digit identifies the manufacturer's division or conventional vehicle type. Digits four through eight describe the vehicle. The ninth digit is always a check digit. The tenth digit is the model year code. The eleventh digit is the plant code, indicating the vehicle's assembly plant. The last six digits (12-17) are the production sequence number. Chassis number structure: There are two main formats for vehicle identification numbers. The first follows the ISO 3779 standard adopted by the European Union. The second standard is primarily used in North America and is more rigorous than the first, though the two remain compatible with each other.
Having driven a Mercedes S350 for over a decade, I'm quite familiar with locating the VIN stamp. The lower left corner of the windshield is a must-check spot – crouch down and look towards the glass corner to spot those raised numbers. If the doors are unlocked, open the passenger door and check the small metal plate with a barcode along the lower edge of the B-pillar, which offers the clearest view. The engine bay also hides a stamp: pop the hood and scan along the windshield's lower edge partition, typically near the wipers. Among these three spots, I highly recommend the windshield location – you can read it even in rain without wiping, and last time the inspector copied the number in just two seconds. For older model years, you might find stamps on the chassis frame, though you'll need to lift the vehicle to see them.
