Free Mercedes-Benz A-Class Radio Code

Which radio is in your A-Class?

Radio names are what is written on the fascia, not the name of the company that built the unit — a “6000 CD” or an “RCD 300” is what you see in the car. Unit fitment varies by market and trim, so treat the list as the usual case and let the serial decide: it is the serial that determines the code, not the model.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class radio code by year

From 1997 to 2004 the A-Class came with the radios below; the serial on the unit is what decides the code.

Mercedes-Benz A-Class W168 radio code (1997–2004)

On A-Class cars from 1997–2004 the radio fitted was usually one of: Becker Audio 10, Sound 4000, Sound 5000. The serial reads BE… / R…; label on the casing, next to the BE model number — tell us how many digits the display asks for. We can work it out, and while the rule behind it is still being confirmed the code is free — all we ask is that you tell us whether it fitted.

How to enter the code in your A-Class

1. Switch the radio on — the display asks for CODE.
2. A four-digit code uses any digits, 0 included. Set each digit the way your unit prompts — usually by pressing a preset button repeatedly, or by turning the tuning knob.
3. On units with numbered buttons, a five-digit code is typed directly: button 1 types a 1, button 2 a 2, and so on, so it only uses the digits from 1 up to the buttons that enter it.
4. Audio 30 APS (seven keys under the display): type the five digits with those keys, then press » at the top left, next to ON, to confirm. Until you press it the digits just stay on the display.
5. Sound 10 cassette units (Vito, Sprinter): step each digit with the + key on the left, move to the next one with a short press of M, and after the last digit press and hold M to confirm.
6. Sound 30 CD units: set each digit with the arrow keys ▲ ▼, move to the next one with a short press of M, and after the last digit press and hold M until the radio takes the code. A short press there only jumps back to the first digit.
7. Audio 10 CD (two knobs): turn the right-hand knob to each digit, press it to move on, and after the last digit hold it for about three seconds.
8. Becker cassette units of 1994–1999 with six preset keys under the display (BE 1692 and its kin): type the five digits with presets 1–6, one press per digit, then press and hold SC between the TUNE arrows. If the display shows WAIT, leave the radio switched on until CODE comes back — 10 minutes, or up to 24 hours after several wrong tries — and do not try another code meanwhile.
9. Some units start by themselves after the last digit; others need a confirm key. If nothing happens after the last digit, tell us what the display shows rather than pressing other buttons.
10. If the screen says Anti-Theft Protection Activated, no code will unlock it — it needs a Mercedes workshop.

• Digit keys
• Confirm

Careful: most units lock for good after about ten wrong attempts. If a code does not take, stop and email us before trying again.

Other Mercedes-Benz models

Mercedes-Benz A-Class radio code: questions

Where is the serial number on a Mercedes-Benz A-Class radio?

W168 (1997–2004): BE… / R…, label on the casing, next to the BE model number — tell us how many digits the display asks for.

Is the Mercedes-Benz A-Class radio code free?

Yes — while the rule behind it is still being confirmed the code is free, and we ask you to tell us whether it fitted.

How do I enter the radio code in a Mercedes-Benz A-Class?

Switch the radio on — the display asks for CODE. A four-digit code uses any digits, 0 included. Set each digit the way your unit prompts — usually by pressing a preset button repeatedly, or by turning the tuning knob. On units with numbered buttons, a five-digit code is typed directly: button 1 types a 1, button 2 a 2, and so on, so it only uses the digits from 1 up to the buttons that enter it. Audio 30 APS (seven keys under the display): type the five digits with those keys, then press » at the top left, next to ON, to confirm. Until you press it the digits just stay on the display. Sound 10 cassette units (Vito, Sprinter): step each digit with the + key on the left, move to the next one with a short press of M, and after the last digit press and hold M to confirm. Sound 30 CD units: set each digit with the arrow keys ▲ ▼, move to the next one with a short press of M, and after the last digit press and hold M until the radio takes the code. A short press there only jumps back to the first digit. Audio 10 CD (two knobs): turn the right-hand knob to each digit, press it to move on, and after the last digit hold it for about three seconds. Becker cassette units of 1994–1999 with six preset keys under the display (BE 1692 and its kin): type the five digits with presets 1–6, one press per digit, then press and hold SC between the TUNE arrows. If the display shows WAIT, leave the radio switched on until CODE comes back — 10 minutes, or up to 24 hours after several wrong tries — and do not try another code meanwhile. Some units start by themselves after the last digit; others need a confirm key. If nothing happens after the last digit, tell us what the display shows rather than pressing other buttons. If the screen says Anti-Theft Protection Activated, no code will unlock it — it needs a Mercedes workshop.