Vehicle identification number (VIN) - ra60001400080x(0080)

A. Product liability, trademark, traffic laws, B. VIN, C. Stamping VIN Model 140 Sedan, Coupe 

Operation no. of operation texts and work units or standard texts and flat rates

Sedans, coupes 

1. Product liability, trademark and traffic laws 

   Some non-Mercedes companies have specialized in rebuilding Mercedes-Benz vehicles using used or new bodies and used parts from various wrecked vehicles of the same model.

   Cases occur continuously in which such companies then request a branch, agency or authorized workshop to stamp the vehicle with the vehicle identification number from the original (wrecked) vehicle.

   We request you never to comply with this desire, even when the other company ensures that they have rebuilt the vehicle for themselves or at the order of a customer.

   This recommendation is based on the following reasons: 

   Stamping in the vehicle identification number with the Mercedes stars (trademark) at the beginning and end without reservations can result in legal problems in context with the protection of our trademark.

   The new product liability law considers a company who attaches its trademark to a product to be the manufacturer, even when this company did not produce the product itself.

   Moreover, Mercedes-Benz AG could be considered to be the manufacturer and be liable for damages in some cases.

   Reassembly of a used or new body using various parts is virtually the same as new production of such a vehicle. If such reassembly is accomplished by another company, Mercedes-Benz AG no longer considers itself to be the manufacturer.

   For this reason the bureau of registration will have to issue a new vehicle title, which is legally possible, in which the company which has reassembled the vehicle is entered as the manufacturer and the serial number assigned by the technical certification point is entered as the vehicle identification number.

   Moreover, such a rebuilt vehicle usually requires a new operating permit. According to section 59 para. 2 of the German traffic laws the responsible bureau of registration must be notified.

   On the other hand if a branch, agency or authorized workshop stamps the vehicle identification number of the original (wrecked) vehicle into the rebuilt vehicle, the rebuilding company has the possibility of circumventing the responsibilities resulting from these laws.

   For legal reasons (product liability, trademark and traffic laws) and to prevent negative effects for Mercedes-Benz AG and the employees of the Mercedes-Benz branch in question, we recommend stamping the vehicle identification number and Mercedes stars at the beginning and end (trademark) into a vehicle only when the body or vehicle has been replaced or repaired within  the Mercedes-Benz service organization.

   On the other hand if a branch or authorized workshop stamps the vehicle identification number of the original (wrecked) vehicle into the rebuilt vehicle, the rebuilding company has the possibility of circumventing the responsibilities resulting from these laws.

   Companies desiring to have the vehicle identification number stamped into such vehicles should be advised accordingly and referred to the responsible bureau of registration.

2. Vehicle identification number 
   Fig 1: Identifying Vehicle Identification Number (EC Vehicles)

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

   Vehicle identification number, EC vehicles

   Fig 2: Identifying Vehicle Identification Number (USA Vehicles (USA-VIN))

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

   Vehicle identification number, USA vehicles (USA-VIN)

3. Stamping in vehicle identification number 

Fig 3: Identifying Vehicle Identification Number Location

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Special tools 

Fig 4: Identifying Special Tool (124 589 07 63 00)

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Fig 5: Identifying Special Tool (140 589 26 63 00)

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

Fig 6: Identifying Special Tool (140 589 26 63 05)

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

It starts and ends with a Mercedes star (trademark) and contains 19 embossed characters with a total length of 103 mm.

If the body or cross member below the right front seat has been replaced during repair, the vehicle identification number must be stamped with the punches into the cross member below the right front seat at the same point.

This modification to the vehicle is subject to official notification. In the Federal Republic of Germany the bureau of registration must be advised in writing  immediately.

A certificate for the bureau of registration is to be issued for the vehicle owner indicating that the vehicle identification number has been newly  stamped into the vehicle following body repair.

The original vehicle identification number can be cut out of the old part and also submitted as proof.

If a vehicle identification number is incorrectly or incompletely stamped in, it must be crossed out and the correct vehicle identification number stamped into the spare field on the cross member below the right front seat.

This procedure is to be described as follows in addition in the certificate for the bureau of registration:

"The vehicle identification number stamped in incorrectly or incompletely has been crossed out and the correct vehicle identification number stamped into the spare field on the cross member below the right front seat".

In export countries observe applicable registration codes and legal regulations.

Preparation of number punch guide 

1. Mount anvil (3) of holder (2) with the rectangular surface toward the window plate (1, arrow).
   Fig 7: Locating Mount Anvil

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

   Mounting number punch guide 

2. Insert the holder into the cross member below the right front seat from the rear.

   Position window plate (1), preliminarily install with hex. nuts, align parallel to front edge of cross member and according to dimension a = 85 mm (arrows). Tighten the two hex. nuts.

   Fig 8: Locating Window Plate

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

   Stamping in vehicle identification number 

3. Start with the "Mercedes star" punch in the rear right  corner of the window, continue to move one mark with each subsequent number punch until the vehicle identification number is stamped into the cross member below the right front seat (arrow).
   Fig 9: Locating Mercedes Star Punch

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

   The tips of the two Mercedes stars should point to the rear in the vehicle.

   Fig 10: Locating Vehicle Identification Number

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

   Crossing out incorrect or incomplete vehicle identification number 

4. Start with the "X" punch in the rear right  corner of the window, continue to cross out each character of the vehicle identification number, including free spaces (arrow).
   Fig 11: Locating X Punch In Rear Right Corner Of Window

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.
   Fig 12: Locating Vehicle Identification Number

   Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

   Stamping vehicle identification number into spare field 

5. Start with the "Mercedes star" punch in the front right  corner of the window, continue to move one mark with each subsequent number punch until the correct vehicle identification number is stamped into the spare field on the cross member below the right front seat (arrow).

Fig 13: Locating Mercedes Star Punch In Front Right Corner Of Window

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.

The tips of the two Mercedes stars should point to the rear in the vehicle.

Fig 14: Locating Vehicle Identification Number

Courtesy of MERCEDES-BENZ OF NORTH AMERICA.