Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG License Plate Bulb Size

The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG license plate light uses 12961 and DE3423 bulb sizes for the exterior illumination system. Data for the specific lighting components covers the period from 2007 through 2012.

The year-by-year compatibility chart below provides a quick reference to verify the correct bulb size for your vehicle.

Bulb Size by Year Range

Years	Bulb Type	Shop
2008-2012	12961	Check Price
2007	DE3423	Check Price

Bulb Specifications

Description	Type	Shop
Philips part number. Miniature wedge bulb (T10) with W2.1x9.5d base. 12V, 5W.	12961	Check Price
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3423	Check Price

Other Locations

Additional Notes

The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG uses two distinct bulb types for the license plate position across its model years, with the 2008-2012 model years specifying the 12961 and the 2007 model year specifying the DE3423.
The 12961 is a Philips part number designation for a T10 miniature wedge bulb rated at 12 volts and 5 watts, fitted with a W2.1x9.5d base.
The W2.1x9.5d base is a wedge-type base in which the glass envelope itself acts as the retention mechanism, with no separate metal cap or pins involved in the electrical connection.
The DE3423 is an ANSI-standard festoon bulb used in the United States and Canada, operating at 12 volts and measuring 41mm in length, with end-cap contacts at both terminals.
Festoon bulbs make contact through metal caps at each end of the tube, a configuration that is physically and electrically incompatible with the wedge socket used by the T10 format of the 12961.
Because the 2007 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG uses a festoon socket and the 2008-2012 models use a wedge socket, the two bulb types are not interchangeable between those model years.
The T10 wedge format of the 12961 is one of the most widely used miniature bulb formats in automotive lighting, commonly appearing in license plate, courtesy, and instrument panel positions across many vehicle lines.
The wattage of the 12961 is rated at 5 watts, which is a standard output level for incandescent license plate illumination in this bulb class.