Mercedes-Benz S500 License Plate Bulb Size

The Mercedes-Benz S500 license plate light requires a DE3423 bulb size for proper installation and function within the rear exterior lighting assembly. Available data for the specified component covers the range from 1994 to 2006.

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
1994-2006	DE3423	Check Price

Bulb Specifications

Description	Type	Shop
ANSI standard (US & Canada). Festoon bulb, 41mm length, end-cap contacts. 12V.	DE3423	Check Price

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Additional Notes

The Mercedes-Benz S500 uses the DE3423 bulb for the license plate position across all listed model years from 1994-2006, with no variation in fitment throughout that span.
The DE3423 is classified as a festoon bulb, a cylindrical lamp type that seats between two spring-loaded end-cap contacts rather than using a screw base or wedge fitting.
The DE3423 carries a 41mm length specification, which is the critical physical factor governing fitment in the license plate housing.
End-cap contacts on the DE3423 mean the bulb makes electrical contact at both flat ends of its body, a design that distinguishes it from wedge-base bulbs that use side-pressure contacts.
The DE3423 operates at 12 volts, consistent with the standard electrical system voltage found in passenger vehicles.
The DE3423 designation follows ANSI standards recognized in both the United States and Canada, meaning the bulb specification conforms to a defined North American classification system.
Because the DE3423 is a festoon type, substituting a wedge-base or bayonet-base bulb of similar wattage would not be physically compatible with the S500 license plate housing, even if the voltage rating matched.
The 41mm length is a fixed fitment requirement; festoon bulbs of differing lengths, such as the common 36mm or 44mm variants, would not seat correctly in the same housing.