Where is the VIN in the Mercedes-Benz M-Class?

This guide covers the VIN (chassis number) locations for the Mercedes-Benz Klasa M (W166) produced between 2012–2012, including the easy-to-check label and the hidden stamped chassis number.

Chassis Number Locations

Front right footwell / A‑pillar stamped VIN (behind trim access cover)

• Where to look: In the front right footwell, on the vertical side wall (A‑pillar/footwell wall area) there’s a small rectangular plastic access cover cut into the hard trim. Pry/slip this cover open to reveal the VIN stamped into the metal structure behind it.
• Access: High difficulty. The cover sits flush and is easy to miss. The footwell is dark, and the VIN is vertical, so you’ll be working low near the floor mats to read it.
• Note: The videos shown are RHD vehicles, but this stamped location is still referenced as front right. For LHD vehicles, treat “right” as the right side of the car (usually the passenger side)—don’t assume it’s on the driver side.
• Tip: Because it’s dark and awkward to view, use the flashlight and let your camera do the work—scan it directly with the VIN OCR on ScanVin.app instead of trying to write it down upside-down.

B‑pillar VIN label (door jamb sticker)

• Where to look: Open a front door and check the lower B‑pillar for a black/white sticker showing the VIN plus paint/weight info.
• Access: Very easy. High contrast and typically readable standing up; may be scuffed from shoes/seatbelt hardware.
• Note: On RHD examples it appears on the left B‑pillar; on LHD cars it’s commonly on the driver-side B‑pillar, but check both sides if you don’t see it immediately.
• Tip: This is the fastest one to capture—use the free VIN reader to grab the VIN cleanly (and avoid mistyping characters like 0/O or 1/I).

Windshield VIN plate (dashboard view)

• Where to look: From outside the vehicle, look through the bottom corner of the windshield for the VIN plate on top of the dash.
• Access: Easy to find, but glare/reflections off the glass often make it hard to read or photograph.
• Note: Angle matters—move your head/phone side-to-side until reflections disappear.
• Tip: If glare keeps washing it out, capture it with your phone using ScanVin.app so you don’t have to manually transcribe it.

Under front passenger seat (carpet flap / cross-member stamp — older layout)

• Where to look: Under the front right seat, lift the pre-cut U-shaped carpet flap to expose a metal cross-member where a VIN stamp may be present.
• Access: You’ll need to power the seat fully forward and up for room; lighting is poor and floor mats can hide the flap.
• Note: This under-seat stamping is shown as a W164-era location and is reported as empty on later W166 checks, but it’s still worth a quick look if you’re dealing with a crossover/registration edge case or market variation.
• Tip: Shadows are the enemy here—turn on the light and scan with Flashlight + OCR so you can read the stamp even if it’s faint or painted over.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: Mercedes ML350 VIN number locations on models W164 2005-2011 and W166 2012-2019.

▶ Watch Mercedes-Benz Klasa M VIN Location Guide

• Quickly explains the switch from the under-seat VIN (older) to the hidden front footwell access-cover VIN (W166).

Video Tutorial: 2012 Mercedes Benz ML350 Chassis and vin plate number location

▶ Watch Mercedes-Benz Klasa M VIN Location Guide

• Shows the B‑pillar label, demonstrates the under-seat area can be empty on W166, then confirms the correct stamped VIN behind the footwell trim cover.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Can’t find the footwell “trapdoor”: Feel along the vertical wall trim in the front right footwell for a small rectangular, flush cover—it doesn’t stand out in low light.
• VIN stamp is hard to read under the seat/footwell: Move mats aside, aim a strong light across the stamp at a shallow angle, and wipe dust off the metal so the characters “pop.”
• B‑pillar sticker missing/damaged: Stickers can be replaced or peeled—always verify against a stamped body VIN (footwell stamp) when checking a vehicle’s identity.

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This guide shows where to find the VIN (chassis number) on the Mercedes-Benz Klasa M (W164) produced between 2006–2008, including the hidden chassis stamp and the easy-to-check label/plate locations.

Chassis Number Locations

Under Rear Seat (Right Side) – Floor Stamp

• Where to look: Under the rear right passenger seat, the VIN is stamped directly into the metal floor pan/chassis beam running front-to-back. There’s typically a pre-cut flap in the carpet covering it.
• Access: Fold/lift the rear seat bottom cushion forward, then lift the carpet flap to reveal the stamped characters. Expect poor lighting and some parts of the seat bracket/bar to partially block your viewing angle.
• Note: On LHD vehicles, this is on the right side of the vehicle (behind the front passenger seat).
• Tip: Because shadows make the stamp hard to read, use ScanVin.app to scan it directly with flashlight + OCR instead of guessing characters.

Lower B-Pillar / Door Jamb VIN Sticker

• Where to look: Open the front door and check the lower section of the B-pillar for a black manufacturer label with the VIN printed on it (side can vary by market).
• Access: No tools—just open the door and read the label. It’s usually high-contrast, but older stickers can be scuffed or peeling.
• Note: If you don’t see it on one side, check the other door jamb—market specs vary.
• Tip: This is an ideal target for phone scanning—use the free VIN reader to capture the code cleanly without misreading similar characters (5/S, 8/B, 0/O).

Windshield (Dashboard VIN Plate)

• Where to look: At the bottom corner of the windshield, look through the glass for the VIN plate on top of the dashboard.
• Access: No tools, but it can be awkward depending on glare and reflections.
• Note: If the glass is heavily tinted or dirty, readability drops fast.
• Tip: If glare makes it hard to copy, capture it instantly with your phone so you don’t transpose digits while squinting through reflections.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: Mercedes ML 2006 VIN Number location

▶ Watch Mercedes-Benz Klasa M VIN Location Guide

• Shows the exact process: lift the rear right seat base, peel back the carpet flap, and reveal the stamped VIN on the floor/chassis.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Too dark under the rear seat: Use a flashlight and aim the light at a shallow angle across the stamping—this makes the characters “pop.”
• Carpet flap is stiff or won’t sit flat: Pry it up carefully with your fingers (or a plastic trim tool) so you don’t tear the edge, then press it back down after checking.
• Sticker VIN vs. chassis VIN mismatch: Door-jamb labels can be replaced—always confirm the stamped chassis VIN matches paperwork before buying.