Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class VIN Decoder: Free Lookup

Want to decode your Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class VIN? You’re in the right place, and it’s completely free. Just type the 17-character vehicle identification number from your GLS-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 GLS-Class

The GLS-Class is Mercedes-Benz's flagship full-size SUV, the SUV equivalent of the S-Class. It was produced from 2015 to present (renamed from GL-Class), and you’ll find it as a Full-size seven-seat SUV. Assembly happened at: Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA.

As an SUV, the GLS-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 GLS-Class

The GLS-Class was renamed from GL-Class in 2015 to align with the new GLE/GLC/GLA naming convention. The 2020 Maybach GLS 600 (X167) was the first Maybach-branded SUV ever produced and remains the most expensive non-AMG Mercedes-Benz SUV, with prices exceeding US$170,000. The GLS-Class is the only Mercedes-Benz SUV offered with E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL coupled to the optional 'free-driving' mode, which uses the suspension to free the vehicle from soft sand or mud. The current X167 generation rides on a longer wheelbase than the X166 and offers genuine seven-seat capacity with adult-sized third-row legroom, a feature the GLE-Class deliberately omits.

How to decode a Mercedes-Benz GLS-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 GLS-Class.

Positions 1 to 3: World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI)

4JG WMI prefix is typical (Tuscaloosa-built).

Positions 4 to 8: Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS)

X166 and X167 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 GLS-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 is typically 'A' (Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA).

Positions 12 to 17: Production Sequence Number

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

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class engine codes

Over the years the GLS-Class has been offered with the following engine families: M256 inline-six, M177 V8 biturbo, OM656 diesel, AMG M177 V8, Maybach GLS V8. 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 GLS-Class? Decode the VIN above. VDS positions 4 to 8 will give you the exact engine variant.

GLS-Class VIN quick reference

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

• Production years: 2015 to present (renamed from GL-Class)
• Body styles: Full-size seven-seat SUV
• Primary assembly: Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA
• WMI prefix: 4JG WMI prefix is typical (Tuscaloosa-built).
• Chassis identifier (VDS): X166 and X167 chassis codes are encoded in VDS positions 4 to 8.
• Plant code (position 11): Position 11 is typically 'A' (Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA).
• Engine families: M256 inline-six, M177 V8 biturbo, OM656 diesel, AMG M177 V8, Maybach GLS V8
• Trim levels offered: GLS450, GLS580, GLS600 Maybach, GLS63 AMG

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class trim levels and variants

Across its run the GLS-Class has shown up in these trim levels: GLS450, GLS580, GLS600 Maybach, GLS63 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 GLS-Class

Open and historic recalls on the GLS-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 GLS-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 GLS-Class?

You’ll get a free instant decode of any Mercedes-Benz GLS-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 GLS-Class VIN?

Type the 17-character VIN from your GLS-Class’s windshield, driver-side door jamb, or vehicle title into the VinDecoderPlus tool above. Because the GLS-Class was produced from 2015 to present (renamed from GL-Class) as a full-size seven-seat suv, the decoder returns model-year-appropriate data, including the engine variant from the M256 inline-six family. The information comes straight from NHTSA’s vPIC database and Mercedes-Benz build records.

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

On a GLS-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 full-size seven-seat suv bodies). And fourth, printed on the vehicle title, registration and insurance card. On the GLS-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 GLS-Class?

The Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class has been offered with these engine families: M256 inline-six, M177 V8 biturbo, OM656 diesel, AMG M177 V8, Maybach GLS V8. The specific engine installed in your particular GLS-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 GLS-Class built?

The GLS-Class is mainly assembled at: Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA. Position 11 is typically ‘A’ (Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA). Why does it matter where your car was built? Parts compatibility. European-spec and North-American-spec GLS-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 GLS-Class?

Once you’ve decoded your GLS-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 GLS-Class was produced from 2015 to present (renamed from GL-Class), 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 GLS-Class?

Across its run, the GLS-Class has been offered in: GLS450, GLS580, GLS600 Maybach, GLS63 AMG. Each trim leaves its fingerprint inside the VIN’s VDS section. The GLS-Class was renamed from GL-Class in 2015 to align with the new GLE/GLC/GLA naming convention.

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

Yes. VinDecoderPlus is a completely free decoder for every Mercedes-Benz GLS-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 GLS-Class, full vehicle history reports are available as an optional paid upgrade from the results page.

Related Mercedes-Benz VIN decoders

Looking for a different Mercedes-Benz model? Browse our full Mercedes-Benz VIN decoder hub, or jump straight into one of the most popular Mercedes model decoders below:

• Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class VIN decoder
• Mercedes-Benz GL-Class VIN decoder
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• Mercedes-Benz G-Class VIN decoder

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