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 260 VIN free. Type the 17-character number from your 260E, 260SE, or 260 into the decoder above and pull the chassis (W124 or W126), model year, engine, plant, and options. No sign-up.
This page is the dedicated 260-Class hub. The 260 was a European-market naming, primarily on 260E W124 sedans and 260SE W126 sedans. It indicated a 2.6L six-cylinder petrol engine (M103) and slotted between the 200/220 base and the 300 in the lineup.
About Mercedes-Benz 260-badged vehicles
Common 260-badged Mercedes models:
| 260-badged model | Chassis code | Years | Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| 260E | W124 | 1986 to 1993 | Sedan (M103 2.6L I6, later M104) |
| 260SE | W126 | 1985 to 1991 | Full-size S-Class sedan |
| 260E (Long) | V124 | 1990 to 1993 | Long-wheelbase 6-door limousine, taxi/livery use |
The 260 badge was European-market only. In the US, Mercedes badged the equivalent chassis as 300E (with the 3.0L M103 rather than the 2.6L). Position 4 to 6 of the VIN identifies chassis, position 8 identifies the engine.
Mercedes-Benz 260 WMI codes (positions 1 to 3)
| WMI | Country | Plant | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| WDB | Germany | Sindelfingen / Bremen | Every 260E (W124) and 260SE (W126) |
How to decode a Mercedes 260 VIN, position by position
Positions 1 to 3: WMI
WDB on any 260.
Positions 4 to 8: VDS
Positions 4 to 6:
| Chars 4 to 6 | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 124 | W124 (260E) or V124 (260E Long) |
| 126 | W126 (260SE) |
Position 8 identifies the engine:
| Char (pos 8) | Engine | Fitment |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | M103 2.6L I6 12-valve | 260E W124, 260SE W126 |
Position 9: Check digit
Calculated from the other 16. Not enforced on European 260 units by all national registries, but calculated at the factory.
Position 10: Model year
| Char | Year |
|---|---|
| F | 1985 |
| G | 1986 (260E launch) |
| H | 1987 |
| J | 1988 |
| K | 1989 |
| L | 1990 |
| M | 1991 |
| N | 1992 |
| P | 1993 (final 260E year) |
Position 11: Assembly plant
F for Sindelfingen or G for Bremen.
Positions 12 to 17: Serial number
Production sequence stamped on your specific 260.
Where to find the VIN on a Mercedes 260
- Driver-side dashboard, visible through the windshield
- 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 260 known issues
260E W124 and 260SE W126 owners should watch M103 6-cylinder timing chain guide wear (a documented weakness across the M103 family), wiring harness insulation degradation (a well-known 1990s Mercedes issue), and A/C evaporator core failures. On W124 260E specifically, watch for subframe corrosion on units driven in salt regions.
To check a specific 260:
- 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 260 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 (260E or 260SE), chassis, model year, and plant. No sign-up.
Was the 260E sold in the US?
No. The 260E was European-market only. The US market received the 300E (W124 with the 3.0L M103) instead. If you have a US-titled Mercedes with a 260E badge, it was almost certainly gray-market imported after the fact.
Is the 260E the same as the 300E?
Same chassis (W124), same M103 engine family, different displacement. The 260E has a 2.6L M103; the 300E has a 3.0L M103. Position 4 to 6 of the VIN is the same (124); position 8 differs (4 for 260E vs 3 for 300E) to reflect the different displacement.
Is the Mercedes 260 VIN decoder free?
Yes. VinDecoderPlus decodes every 260 VIN free of charge with no sign-up.
Can a 260 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. The guide how to check if a car is stolen by VIN walks through the verification steps.
Decode any Mercedes 260 VIN free
Type your 17-character 260 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
