Where is the VIN number in Mercedes-Benz GLE (W166)?

This guide covers the VIN number locations on the Mercedes-Benz GLE (W166) produced between 2016–2016, including the quick-to-scan labels and the hidden stamped chassis number.

Chassis Number Locations

Front Right Footwell / Lower A-Pillar (Chassis Stamped VIN – Primary)

• Where to look: Check the front right side lower A-pillar / door-sill edge by the footwell. There’s typically a rectangular cut-out in the carpet/trim and a small plastic cover you need to unclip/slide to reveal the stamped metal VIN recessed in the structure.
• Access: Moderate difficulty. You’ll be working low down near the trim; the VIN is recessed and hard to read without direct light.
• Note: The source vehicle shown is RHD, where this stamp is accessed from the front right (driver) footwell. For LHD (US/EU), start on the front right footwell (commonly passenger side), but check the driver-side footwell if you don’t find it on the right.
• Tip: Because the stamp sits in a deep recess with heavy shadows, use the flashlight + OCR and scan it directly with your phone camera instead of trying to read it at an awkward angle.

Lower B-Pillar / Door Jamb (VIN Sticker)

• Where to look: Open the front door and inspect the lower B-pillar (door jamb) area. You’re looking for a black sticker with white text listing the VIN and vehicle data.
• Access: Easy. No tools needed; usually clean and high-contrast.
• Note: Depending on market/region, the sticker may be on the driver-side or passenger-side B-pillar—check both if needed.
• Tip: This is the fastest one to capture—use the free VIN reader to scan the sticker cleanly and avoid mixing up similar characters (8/B, 0/O).

Windshield VIN Plate (Visible VIN)

• Where to look: From outside the vehicle, look through the bottom corner of the windshield for the visible VIN plate.
• Access: Easy, but reflections are common (sunlight, dash glare, tinted glass).
• Note: Best viewed at an angle; sometimes easier from the passenger-side corner depending on light.
• Tip: If glare/reflections make it hard to read, capture it instantly with the scanner so you don’t misread characters or transpose digits.

Under the Front Right Seat (Floor/Chassis Stamped VIN – Often Not Used on W166)

• Where to look: Slide the front right seat all the way forward and lift the carpet flap/cut-out on the floor to check for a stamped VIN.
• Access: High physical effort (moving the seat fully), usually dark underneath, and you may find the flap area empty on W166.
• Note: The video specifically explains this “under-seat VIN” is a common reference for older models, and the demonstrated W166-style vehicle shows the flap without a VIN—the primary stamp is in the front right footwell/lower A-pillar instead.
• Tip: If you’re going to check it anyway, it’s cramped and poorly lit—scan with flashlight + OCR so you’re not trying to hand-copy a code from under a seat.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: Mercedes Benz ML350 - Resetting Service (ML350 2012 - 2015) and (GLE350 2016 - 2018) W166

▶ Watch Mercedes-Benz GLE VIN Location Guide

• A technician shows the windshield VIN, the door jamb sticker, and the hidden footwell/A-pillar chassis stamp, including why the “under-seat” flap is often not the correct VIN location on W166.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Footwell stamp is “missing”: It’s usually behind a small plastic cover in the lower A-pillar/footwell trim—pry/unclip it carefully and hit it with a flashlight to see the recessed stamping.
• Windshield VIN is unreadable: Glare and reflections are normal—change your viewing angle, shade the area with your hand, or scan it instead of squinting through the glass.
• Sticker doesn’t prove identity by itself: Door-jamb stickers can be replaced—always cross-check the sticker VIN against the chassis-stamped VIN before buying.

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