Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class VIN Decoder: Free Lookup

Want to decode your Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class VIN? You’re in the right place, and it’s completely free. Just type the 17-character vehicle identification number from your GLA-Class into the box above and you’ll get the make, model variant, year, engine family, transmission, trim level, factory options and assembly-plant data in seconds. No sign-up, no email needed.

About the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

The GLA-Class is Mercedes-Benz's entry-level crossover, based on the A-Class platform. It was produced from 2013 to present, and you’ll find it as a Compact crossover SUV. Assembly happened at: Rastatt (Germany) and Kecskemét (Hungary).

As an SUV, the GLA-Class VIN also tells you about drivetrain configuration (including 4MATIC all-wheel drive) and option packages such as the Off-Road Engineering Package.

A few things worth knowing about the GLA-Class

The GLA was Mercedes-Benz's first subcompact crossover when it launched in 2013, sharing its MFA platform with the A-Class. The GLA45 AMG was for several years the most powerful production crossover in its segment, with 375 hp (later 416 hp on the GLA45 S) from a single turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder.

How to decode a Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class VIN

Every Mercedes-Benz VIN built since 1981 follows the ISO 3779 standard. That gives you 17 alphanumeric characters split into three blocks: the World Manufacturer Identifier (positions 1 to 3), the Vehicle Descriptor Section (positions 4 to 9) and the Vehicle Identifier Section (positions 10 to 17). Here’s what each chunk tells you about your GLA-Class.

Positions 1 to 3: World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

WDD and W1K both appear depending on generation.

Positions 4 to 8: Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

X156 and H247 chassis codes are encoded in VDS positions 4 to 8.

Position 9: Check Digit

The check digit comes from a weighted sum of the other 16 characters. Think of it as a self-validating control. If you mistype any single character on your GLA-Class VIN, the check digit won’t match and the VIN is flagged as invalid.

Position 10: Model Year

Position 10 tells you the model year using a rolling alphanumeric scheme. A quick Mercedes-Benz cheat sheet: S = 1995, Y = 2000, 5 = 2005, A = 2010, F = 2015, L = 2020, P = 2023, R = 2024, S = 2025, T = 2026.

Position 11: Assembly Plant

Position 11 commonly 'J' (Rastatt, Germany) or 'F' (Kecskemét, Hungary).

Positions 12 to 17: Production Sequence Number

The final six digits are the unique serial number stamped on your specific GLA-Class as it rolled off the assembly line.

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class engine codes

Over the years the GLA-Class has been offered with the following engine families: M270, M260, M282 turbo gasoline; OM607, OM608 diesel; AMG M260. Mercedes-Benz engine codes follow a tight naming convention. The letter ‘M‘ denotes a petrol/gasoline engine (think M256, M177, M139), while ‘OM‘ (Oel-Motor) flags a diesel (OM651, OM654, OM656 and so on). Want to know exactly which engine sits under your GLA-Class? Decode the VIN above. VDS positions 4 to 8 will give you the exact engine variant.

GLA-Class VIN quick reference

Here’s the at-a-glance reference for decoding any Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class VIN:

• Production years: 2013 to present
• Body styles: Compact crossover SUV
• Primary assembly: Rastatt (Germany) and Kecskemét (Hungary)
• WMI prefix: WDD and W1K both appear depending on generation.
• Chassis identifier (VDS): X156 and H247 chassis codes are encoded in VDS positions 4 to 8.
• Plant code (position 11): Position 11 commonly 'J' (Rastatt, Germany) or 'F' (Kecskemét, Hungary).
• Engine families: M270, M260, M282 turbo gasoline; OM607, OM608 diesel; AMG M260
• Trim levels offered: GLA180, GLA200, GLA220d, GLA250, GLA35 AMG, GLA45 AMG

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class trim levels and variants

Across its run the GLA-Class has shown up in these trim levels: GLA180, GLA200, GLA220d, GLA250, GLA35 AMG, GLA45 AMG. Every trim leaves a fingerprint inside the VIN’s VDS section. Decoding your VIN doesn’t just confirm the trim level. It also surfaces the original factory option packages (AMG Line, Premium, Driver Assistance, Burmester audio, the lot), and that’s the stuff that really matters when you’re checking resale value.

Recall and safety information for the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Open and historic recalls on the GLA-Class are tracked by NHTSA in the USA, by the European Commission’s RAPEX system in the EU, and by individual national transport authorities elsewhere. Once you’ve decoded your GLA-Class VIN above, copy the 17 characters into any of these databases to check for outstanding safety actions. On modern Mercedes-Benz cars the usual suspects are airbag inflators, fuel-system seals, electric power steering and occupant-classification software.

Why use VinDecoderPlus for your GLA-Class?

You’ll get a free instant decode of any Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class VIN with VinDecoderPlus. No sign-up, no email, no credit card. The data comes from NHTSA’s vPIC database (the official US government VIN registry) and is cross-referenced with manufacturer specifications. If you want to dig deeper into ownership records, accident reports, title brands or odometer history, you can upgrade to a full vehicle history report directly from the results page.

Frequently asked questions

How do I decode my Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class VIN?

Type the 17-character VIN from your GLA-Class’s windshield, driver-side door jamb, or vehicle title into the VinDecoderPlus tool above. Because the GLA-Class was produced from 2013 to present as a compact crossover suv, the decoder returns model-year-appropriate data, including the engine variant from the M270 family. The information comes straight from NHTSA’s vPIC database and Mercedes-Benz build records.

Where is the VIN located on a Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?

On a GLA-Class you’ll find the VIN in four places. First, on the lower-left corner of the windshield, where it’s visible from outside the car. Second, on a sticker inside the driver’s-side door jamb. Third, stamped into the engine firewall or chassis rail (this is typical for compact crossover suv bodies). And fourth, printed on the vehicle title, registration and insurance card. On the GLA-Class, the door-jamb sticker is also where you’ll see the original tire and load specification.

What engines were offered in the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?

The Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class has been offered with these engine families: M270, M260, M282 turbo gasoline; OM607, OM608 diesel; AMG M260. The specific engine installed in your particular GLA-Class is encoded in VDS positions 4 to 8 of the VIN. Looking for the AMG-tuned variant? Check VDS positions 6 and 7. Those positions flag AMG-spec models.

Where was the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class built?

The GLA-Class is mainly assembled at: Rastatt (Germany) and Kecskemét (Hungary). Position 11 commonly ‘J’ (Rastatt, Germany) or ‘F’ (Kecskemét, Hungary). Why does it matter where your car was built? Parts compatibility. European-spec and North-American-spec GLA-Class variants sometimes differ in lighting, emissions equipment and OBD-II reporting standards, even when they share the same chassis code.

How can I check open recalls on my Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?

Once you’ve decoded your GLA-Class VIN above, copy the 17 characters into the NHTSA recall database (USA), the EU RAPEX system, or the Mercedes-Benz owner portal. Since the GLA-Class was produced from 2013 to present, you may also bump into historic technical service bulletins (TSBs). Those aren’t safety recalls, but they do give you useful maintenance guidance for your specific chassis code.

What trim levels are available for the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class?

Across its run, the GLA-Class has been offered in: GLA180, GLA200, GLA220d, GLA250, GLA35 AMG, GLA45 AMG. Each trim leaves its fingerprint inside the VIN’s VDS section. The GLA was Mercedes-Benz’s first subcompact crossover when it launched in 2013, sharing its MFA platform with the A-Class.

Is the Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class VIN decoder really free?

Yes. VinDecoderPlus is a completely free decoder for every Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class VIN. No sign-up, no credit card, no usage limit. If you want the deeper stuff (ownership records, accident history, title brand) for the GLA-Class, full vehicle history reports are available as an optional paid upgrade from the results page.

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Ready to decode? Type your 17-character Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class VIN into the decoder above and get your results instantly. Or head to our free VIN decoder homepage to decode any other vehicle.