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 CLA-Class VIN free. Type the 17-character number from your CLA sedan or Shooting Brake into the decoder above and pull the chassis series (C117 or C118), model year, engine family, transmission, drivetrain, factory options, plant of origin, and open NHTSA recalls. No sign-up.
This page is the dedicated CLA hub. The CLA is the four-door coupe version of the A-Class and Mercedes’ entry-level sedan in the North American market since the A-Class hatch was never sold there. Two generations to date, both built on the same MFA/MFA2 compact platform as the A-Class, GLA, and GLB.
About the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class
The CLA launched in 2013 as a four-door coupe based on the third-generation A-Class (W176). It was Mercedes’ first compact sedan and became the brand’s entry point in North America. Two generations:
| Generation | Years | Chassis code | Body styles | Primary plants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2013 to 2019 | C117 (sedan) / X117 (Shooting Brake) | 4-door coupe, wagon (Shooting Brake, Europe only) | Kecskemét (HU), Aguascalientes (MX) |
| 2nd | 2019 to present | C118 (sedan) / X118 (Shooting Brake) | 4-door coupe, wagon (Europe only) | Kecskemét (HU), Aguascalientes (MX) |
Unlike most Mercedes model lines, the CLA has never been built in Germany at meaningful volume. Primary CLA production has always been at Mercedes’ Kecskemét, Hungary plant with North American builds coming from the COMPAS joint venture in Aguascalientes, Mexico from 2015 onward.
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class WMI codes (positions 1 to 3)
| WMI | Country | Plant | Applies to |
|---|---|---|---|
| WDD | Germany (Mercedes homologation) | Kecskemét, Hungary | C117 (2013 to 2019) European market |
| W1K | Germany (Mercedes homologation) | Kecskemét, Hungary | C118 (post-2020) European market |
| MMB | Mexico | Aguascalientes (COMPAS) | C117 and C118 for North American market |
| WMX | Hungary (some Kecskemét exports) | Kecskemét | Certain export builds |
The CLA is one of the more interesting Mercedes WMI cases because Hungarian-built CLAs typically carry a WDD or W1K WMI (indicating Mercedes homologation, not the physical assembly country). The physical plant is identified at position 11 of the VIN, not by the WMI.
How to decode a Mercedes CLA VIN, position by position
Positions 1 to 3: WMI
WDD, W1K, or MMB on a genuine CLA. See table above.
Positions 4 to 8: VDS
Positions 4 to 6:
| Chars 4 to 6 | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 117 | C117 sedan / X117 Shooting Brake first-gen (2013 to 2019) |
| 118 | C118 sedan / X118 Shooting Brake second-gen (2019 to present) |
Position 7 encodes body style, drivetrain (FWD or 4Matic), and restraint. Position 8 is the engine code:
| Char (pos 8) | Engine | Fitment |
|---|---|---|
| F | M282 / M260 1.3L I4 turbo petrol | C118 CLA 180 / CLA 200 (Europe) |
| G | M260 2.0L I4 turbo petrol | C118 CLA 250 / CLA 250 4Matic |
| L | OM654q 2.0L I4 diesel | C118 CLA 200d / CLA 220d (Europe) |
| N | M139 2.0L I4 turbo (AMG) | C118 CLA 35 AMG and CLA 45 S AMG |
| K | M270 2.0L I4 turbo petrol | C117 CLA 250 (2014 to 2019) |
| 8 | OM651 2.1L I4 diesel | C117 CLA 200 CDI / CLA 220 CDI |
| 7 | M133 2.0L I4 turbo (AMG) | C117 CLA 45 AMG (2014 to 2019) |
Position 9: Check digit
Calculated from the other 16 characters. On US-market CLAs the check digit is enforced by NHTSA and every state DMV. This is especially relevant on the CLA because most US-market units are built in Mexico and cross a border for import, and the check digit is one of the fields customs systems validate.
Position 10: Model year
| Char | Year | Char | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 2013 (C117 launch) | K | 2019 (C118 launch) |
| E | 2014 (first US year) | L | 2020 |
| F | 2015 (Mexico production begins) | M | 2021 |
| G | 2016 | N | 2022 |
| H | 2017 | P | 2023 |
| J | 2018 | T | 2026 |
Position 11: Assembly plant
| Char | Plant | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| H | Kecskemét, Hungary | Primary CLA plant for Europe and RoW |
| M | Aguascalientes, Mexico (COMPAS) | North American market builds |
Positions 12 to 17: Serial number
Production sequence stamped on your specific CLA.
CLA trim levels and how they appear in the VIN
- C117 (2013 to 2019): CLA 180, CLA 200, CLA 220d, CLA 250, CLA 250 4Matic, CLA 45 AMG
- C118 (2019 to present): CLA 180, CLA 200, CLA 220d, CLA 250, CLA 250 4Matic, CLA 35 AMG, CLA 45 S AMG, CLA 250e PHEV
- Shooting Brake (X117 / X118): same drivetrain options as sedan, wagon body, Europe-only
Where to find the VIN on a Mercedes-Benz CLA
- Lower-left corner of the windshield, visible from outside the car
- Driver-side B-pillar Datacard sticker
- Stamped into the passenger-side floorpan under the front carpet
- Stamped on the engine block, top rear near the firewall
- Vehicle title, registration, insurance card, Mercedes me app
Mercedes CLA recalls and known issues
The CLA has been part of NHTSA campaigns including a 2015 to 2016 sunroof glass detachment recall, a 2019 to 2020 rear-axle bolt recall on early C118 units, and Takata airbag inflator recalls on select C117 model years. Beyond formal recalls, C117 owners should watch 7G-DCT dual-clutch transmission mechatronic issues on early 2014 to 2015 CLA 250 units; C118 owners should monitor MBUX software updates and the 48V mild-hybrid electronics on later trims.
To check a specific CLA:
- 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
Recall repairs are free regardless of vehicle age or ownership history.
Frequently asked questions
How do I decode a Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class VIN?
Type the 17-character VIN from the windshield, B-pillar sticker, or title into the decoder at the top of this page. Results include generation (C117 or C118), body (sedan or Shooting Brake), model year, engine, drivetrain, and plant. No sign-up.
Where is my CLA built?
Look at position 11 of the VIN. H means Kecskemét, Hungary (the primary CLA plant for European and Rest-of-World markets). M means Aguascalientes, Mexico at the COMPAS joint venture with Nissan (the source for North American CLAs since 2015). A German-built CLA is extremely rare.
What is the difference between C117 and C118?
The C117 (2013 to 2019) is the original CLA, based on the W176 A-Class platform (MFA). The C118 (2019 onward) is the redesigned second-gen based on the W177 A-Class platform (MFA2). The C118 has more rear-seat room, a completely new interior with the MBUX dual-screen dashboard, and different engine options including a PHEV variant. Position 4 to 6 of the VIN identifies which generation.
Is the CLA the same as the A-Class?
Same underlying platform and same drivetrains, different body. The A-Class is a hatchback or sedan (V177 sedan in North America from 2019 to 2022). The CLA is a four-door coupe with a lower, sleeker roofline. They share position 8 (engine) codes but position 4 to 6 (chassis) differs (C117 or C118 for CLA, W176 or W177 for A-Class).
Is the Mercedes CLA VIN decoder free?
Yes. VinDecoderPlus decodes every CLA VIN free of charge with no sign-up. A full vehicle history report is available as an optional paid upgrade if you need ownership records, odometer history, and accident data.
Can a CLA VIN be faked?
The 17 characters on the B-pillar Datacard can be replaced, but the floorpan stamp and engine block stamp are physically tied to the car. On a genuine CLA all three match. The guide how to check if a car is stolen by VIN walks through the verification steps.
Decode any Mercedes CLA VIN free
Type your 17-character CLA 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
