About Mercedes-Benz radio codes
The Mercedes-Benz Citan van was built alongside the Renault Kangoo, and many have a Renault-made radio that shows a precode when you hold buttons 1 and 6. We can also do Becker radios with a 4-number serial. Mercedes’ own Audio and COMAND radios aren’t ones we can do.
How to find your Mercedes-Benz radio serial number
Most Mercedes-Benz radios show their serial on the screen, so you don’t need to take anything apart. The serial tells us exactly which code your radio needs.
On the screen
- Switch the radio on.
- Hold buttons 1 and 6 together for about 5 seconds.
- The screen shows a letter and 3 numbers (like A123). That is your precode.
- Nothing shows? Check the separate screen on top of the dashboard, or look for "PRE CODE" on the radio’s label.
On the label
The serial is also printed on a label on the top or side of the radio. Most radios slide out with a pair of radio removal keys (a few pounds from any car parts shop). Push them into the slots on the front until they click, then ease the radio forward. Some have screws to undo first.
Photograph the label rather than copying it by hand — 0 and O, 1 and I are easy to mix up.
What your serial looks like
-
A123Renault precode1 letter and 3 numbers Instant -
0007Becker (4-number serial)4 numbers Instant
Can’t find it or can’t read it? Send us a photo of the label: £9.99, with a full refund if we can’t find your code.
Screen shows nothing and the radio has to come out? How to remove a car radio shows which release keys you need and where they go.
Which Mercedes-Benz radio do you have?
These are the radios Mercedes-Benz fitted we know about, and whether we can unlock them. Not sure which is yours? Type the serial in: the free check works it out for you.
A123
Renault precode
Serial: Hold 1 + 6
InstantGuide
Locked display
CODE ----
Serial 0007
Becker (4-number serial)
Serial: On the label on the radio
InstantGuide
Popular Mercedes-Benz models
Step-by-step help for the Mercedes-Benz models people ask us about most:
Years: 2012–2021. The serial is what counts, as radios are often swapped between cars.
How to enter your Mercedes-Benz radio code
Once you have your code, key it in like this. The example below shows the button presses. Your order page shows the same steps next to your code.
- Use buttons 1, 2, 3 and 4 to set each number.
- Hold button 6 for about 5 seconds until the radio beeps.
- Your code has 5 numbers. Set each one, then confirm.
If your Mercedes-Benz radio says LOCKED, WAIT or SAFE
Each wrong code makes the radio wait longer before the next try, and some radios lock for good after too many. Don’t guess: get the right code first, then follow the steps for your radio.
| Radio | What to do |
|---|---|
| Renault precode | WAIT or ERROR — leave the radio on for 30–60 minutes and try again. |
What LOCKED, WAIT and SAFE mean, and how long to wait →
Why we use your radio’s serial, not your number plate
A radio code belongs to the radio, not the car. A dealer usually looks it up from the Mercedes-Benz’s number plate or VIN (the 17-character number in your logbook), which only works if the car still has the radio it left the factory with. Radios are often swapped under warranty, upgraded, or changed by a previous owner.
The serial is printed on the radio itself, so the code matches the radio in front of you. It is also what lets us check for free before you pay. Main dealers often charge £30–£130, and you usually have to book the car in.
What we can and can’t do
We can do
- Citan vans with a Renault-made radio — precode
- Becker radios with a 4-number label
We can’t do (yet)
- Audio 10/20/50 and COMAND radios
- T-Class vans (2022 on)
We always tell you before you pay. Not sure? Send us a photo of the label.
Mercedes-Benz radio code questions
Where is the precode on a Mercedes Citan radio?
Hold buttons 1 and 6 with the radio on. A 4-character precode appears (like A123). Type it in here for your code.
How much is a Mercedes-Benz radio code?
£9.99 per code. The free check comes first, so you only pay once we know we can do it, and you get your money back if the code doesn’t work.
How long does it take?
Most Mercedes-Benz codes appear on screen the moment you’ve paid, and we email you a copy. If yours has to be looked up by our team, we email it within 2 hours and tell you before you pay.
What if the code doesn’t work?
Check the serial first: 0 and O, or 1 and I, are easy to mix up. Still stuck? Tell us from your order page and we’ll put it right or refund you in full.
Updated October 2026
