Decode Your VIN
Enter your vehicle's VIN code to discover all technical specifications. The VIN consists of 17 alphanumeric characters.
Decode any Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN free. Type the 17-character number from your 350SL, 350SLC, 350SD, 350SDL, or 350GD into the decoder above and pull the chassis (R107, C107, W126, W463) with model year, engine, plant, and options. No sign-up.
This page is the dedicated 350-Class hub focused on the classic 350-badged Mercedes: the 1970s European-market R107 350SL/SLC, the 1990-era W126 350SD/SDL turbo diesel, and the 350GD G-Wagen. For the modern SL 350, E 350, ML 350, GLE 350, and related current-model 350 trims, see the specific class VIN decoder pages instead (SL-Class, E-Class, ML-Class, GLE-Class).
About Mercedes-Benz 350-badged classics
The classic 350 badge appeared on a handful of specific Mercedes models:
| 350-badged model | Chassis code | Years | Engine | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 350SL | R107 | 1971 to 1980 | M116 3.5L V8 | European market roadster (never sold new in US) |
| 350SLC | C107 | 1972 to 1980 | M116 3.5L V8 | European market coupe |
| 350SD Turbo | W126 | 1990 to 1991 | OM603 3.5L I6 turbo diesel | US market 5-cylinder replaced with I6 turbo diesel |
| 350SDL Turbo | W126 | 1990 to 1991 | OM603 3.5L I6 turbo diesel | Long-wheelbase 350SD |
| 350GD Turbo | W463 | 1990 onward (limited) | OM603 3.5L I6 turbo diesel | Rare civilian G-Class variant |
The 350 badge in the 1970s indicated a 3.5L V8 (M116). In the 1990s the badge indicated a 3.5L I6 turbo diesel (OM603). Two very different powertrain families sharing a number.
Mercedes-Benz 350 WMI codes (positions 1 to 3)
| WMI | Country | Plant | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| WDB | Germany | Sindelfingen / Bremen | Every 17-character-VIN 350 (1980 onward) |
Every genuine 17-character VIN 350 carries a WDB WMI. For 1971 to 1979 350SL and 350SLC vehicles predating ISO 3779, use our classic car VIN decoder guide.
How to decode a Mercedes 350 VIN, position by position
Positions 1 to 3: WMI
WDB on any 17-character-era 350.
Positions 4 to 8: VDS
Positions 4 to 6:
| Chars 4 to 6 | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 107 | R107 350SL or C107 350SLC (1971 to 1980) |
| 126 | W126 350SD Turbo or 350SDL Turbo (1990 to 1991) |
| 463 | W463 350GD Turbo (1990 onward, rare) |
Position 8 identifies the specific engine:
| Char (pos 8) | Engine | Fitment |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | M116 3.5L V8 (SOHC 8-valve) | 350SL R107, 350SLC C107 |
| 1 | OM603 3.5L I6 turbo diesel | 350SD, 350SDL, 350GD Turbo |
Position 9: Check digit
Calculated from the other 16. Enforced on US-market 350SD and 350SDL by NHTSA (the 350SL was never officially sold in the US).
Position 10: Model year
| Char | Year |
|---|---|
| A | 1980 (final year of R107 350SL production) |
| L | 1990 (350SD / 350SDL / 350GD launch) |
| M | 1991 (final year of 350SD / 350SDL production) |
Position 11: Assembly plant
F for Sindelfingen (350SL, 350SD, 350SDL) or Graz for 350GD (W463 G-Wagen).
Positions 12 to 17: Serial number
Production sequence stamped on your specific 350.
350SD and 350SDL notes (US-market only)
The 350SD and 350SDL were sold in the US for 1990 and 1991 as a replacement for the 5-cylinder OM617 300SD Turbo. The new OM603 6-cylinder turbo diesel offered more power but proved less reliable than the outgoing 5-cylinder. The OM603 developed a documented reputation for cracked cylinder heads and warped head gaskets under thermal cycling, which combined with the reduced production run (both models were retired after 1991) makes 350SD/SDL cars uncommon on the used market today. If you’re considering a 350SD or SDL, a thorough compression check and coolant analysis for combustion gases are worth doing before purchase.
Where to find the VIN on a Mercedes 350
- Driver-side dashboard, visible through the windshield (17-character era)
- Driver-side B-pillar Datacard sticker
- Stamped on the firewall in the engine bay
- Stamped on the strut tower under the hood
- Stamped on the engine block, top rear near the firewall
- Vehicle title, registration
Mercedes 350 known issues
R107 350SL owners should watch M116 V8 timing chain wear and rocker arm wear (both documented on early 1970s M116 engines). W126 350SD/SDL owners should specifically watch OM603 turbo diesel cylinder head cracks and head gasket failures. 350GD Turbo owners should monitor OM603 injection pump timing and front differential oil condition.
To check a specific 350:
- Decode the VIN with the tool above to confirm the exact chassis series and model year
- Cross-reference the 17-character VIN with the Mercedes-Benz USA recall lookup and the NHTSA recall database
- Contact your nearest Mercedes-Benz authorised service centre for any open campaign repair
Frequently asked questions
How do I decode a Mercedes-Benz 350 VIN?
Type the 17-character VIN from the dashboard, B-pillar sticker, or title into the decoder at the top of this page. Results include exact model (350SL, 350SD, 350SDL, 350GD), chassis, model year, and plant. No sign-up.
Was the 350SL sold in the United States?
No. The R107 350SL was European-market only. In the US market, Mercedes sold the R107 as the 450SL (with the larger M117 4.5L V8) from 1972 to 1981, then as the 380SL, 500SL (European), and 560SL. A US-titled R107 that reads 350SL was almost certainly gray-market imported after the fact.
Is the 350SD Turbo the same as the 300SD Turbo?
Different engines. The 300SD Turbo (US, 1978 to 1985) used the OM617 5-cylinder turbo diesel. The 350SD Turbo (US, 1990 to 1991) used the OM603 6-cylinder turbo diesel. Position 8 of the VIN tells you: 5 or 8 for OM617, 1 for OM603. Position 4 to 6 is 126 on both (they share the W126 chassis).
What is a modern 350?
In modern usage, 350 is a trim indicator on many Mercedes classes: E350, S350, ML350, GLE 350, GLA 250 (etc.). For these current-model 350 trims, use the specific class decoder page (E-Class, S-Class, ML-Class, GLE-Class, etc.). This page covers only the classic numeric-first 350 models.
Is the Mercedes 350 VIN decoder free?
Yes. VinDecoderPlus decodes every 350 VIN free of charge with no sign-up. Given the collector interest in R107 350SL and W463 350GD, we recommend cross-checking with Mercedes Classic Center for high-value transactions.
Can a 350 VIN be faked?
The B-pillar Datacard can be replaced, but the firewall, strut-tower, and engine block stamps are physically tied to the car. Because the classic 350 models are collector items, cloned VINs are a documented risk. The guide how to check if a car is stolen by VIN walks through the verification steps.
Decode any Mercedes 350 VIN free
Type your 17-character 350 VIN into the decoder at the top of this page for an instant breakdown. For related reading:
- Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder hub for the brand-wide guide
- How to read a VIN number for the general standard
- What every character in a VIN means for a position-by-position reference
- VIN decoder vs. vehicle history report for what a decode covers vs. what it doesn’t
