How to Find Your Vehicle Paint Code
Your vehicle’s paint code identifies the exact manufacturer colour required when ordering custom-mixed automotive paint. It is normally printed on a vehicle identification label, plate or sticker fitted somewhere on the vehicle.
The paint code is not the registration number, VIN or colour name. This guide will show you where to look, what information to identify and where different manufacturers commonly display their paint codes.
What Is a Vehicle Paint Code?
A paint code is the manufacturer’s reference for the exact factory colour applied to the vehicle. It is normally a short combination of letters and/or numbers shown on a vehicle label, plate or sticker.
This is the information we need when mixing paint for your vehicle.
A registration number cannot be used by us to reliably identify the paint code.
The VIN identifies the vehicle itself, but it is not the paint code you should enter when ordering.
Names such as “Black”, “Silver” or “Arctic White” are not precise enough for colour mixing.
Common Paint Code Locations
The exact location varies by manufacturer and model, but vehicle paint-code information is commonly found in one of these areas.
Check the manufacturer label inside the driver’s or passenger’s door opening, particularly around the door pillar or sill area.
Look around the slam panel, inner wings, bulkhead or suspension turret for a manufacturer plate or vehicle-information sticker.
Check beneath the boot floor, around the spare-wheel well and inside side-storage compartments.
Some manufacturers include the paint code on a vehicle-information sticker within the service book or other original vehicle documentation.
Find Your Paint Code by Vehicle Manufacturer
Paint-code locations vary between manufacturers, models and model years. Use the guide below as a starting point and always copy the complete code exactly as shown on the vehicle.
BMW & MINI
BMW paint codes are commonly shown on an identification plate or label on the B-pillar or within the engine compartment, depending on the model.
Look for a short manufacturer colour reference rather than the VIN or colour name.
Volkswagen
Volkswagen commonly places the paint code on the vehicle data sticker. On many models this can be found beneath the boot carpet or boot liner.
Older vehicles may also have the code inside the service book or around the driver's door area. Newer models may require confirmation through a Volkswagen retailer if the sticker is not present.
Audi, SEAT, CUPRA & Škoda
Vehicles within the Volkswagen Group commonly use a vehicle-data label system. Check the boot floor / spare-wheel area and any original vehicle documentation or data stickers.
Location and label format can vary by model and age, so photograph the complete label if you are unsure which reference is the paint code.
Vauxhall & Opel
Vauxhall advises checking the engine-bay area and the driver's or passenger's door jamb.
The paint reference is normally a short sequence of numbers or a combination of letters and numbers.
Ford
On many newer Ford vehicles the paint code is not clearly displayed on the vehicle. Older models may show colour information on a vehicle plate or label, but this is not consistent across the range.
If you cannot find a clear paint reference, the most reliable option is usually to contact a Ford dealer or paint supplier with the vehicle VIN so the correct manufacturer colour information can be looked up.
Once you have the paint code, enter the manufacturer paint code itself when ordering from us — not the VIN or registration number.
Mercedes-Benz
Check the vehicle identification or data plates around the door aperture, B-pillar or engine compartment, depending on model and age.
Mercedes colour references are typically numeric, but always copy the complete code exactly as shown.
Toyota & Lexus
Toyota and Lexus vehicles commonly show the colour information on the manufacturer label inside the door opening.
Look for the colour/trim information and copy only the complete colour reference required for the paint.
Nissan
Check the vehicle identification plate or sticker around the door pillar / door aperture and, on some models, within the engine compartment.
Paint-code location and formatting vary between models, so use a photograph of the complete plate if you are unsure.
Honda
Honda paint information is commonly found on a label around the door shut or door pillar.
Check the complete label carefully, as several vehicle references may be printed together.
Other Manufacturers
For other makes, first check the door shut, engine bay, boot / spare-wheel area and original vehicle documents.
If you still cannot identify the paint code, send us a clear photograph of the vehicle-information label before ordering.
What Does a Vehicle Paint Code Look Like?
Paint codes are usually short combinations of letters and numbers. The exact format varies between vehicle manufacturers, so there is no single universal paint-code format.
Paint codes are normally much shorter than the vehicle VIN or chassis number.
Depending on the manufacturer, the code may appear beside wording such as Paint, Colour, Color, Lack, C/TR or a similar abbreviation.
Include every letter and number exactly as shown. Do not remove prefixes or substitute the colour name.
What to Enter When Ordering
Once you have located the vehicle paint code, enter the information exactly as it appears on the vehicle or manufacturer documentation.
Select or enter the correct vehicle manufacturer, for example BMW, Ford, Volkswagen or Toyota.
Enter the complete manufacturer paint code exactly as shown, including all letters and numbers.
If the manufacturer colour name is available, include it as additional information. The paint code remains the important reference.
Custom-mixed paint is produced from the information you provide, so make sure the manufacturer and paint code are correct before placing your order.
Registration Numbers Cannot Be Used
We cannot reliably identify your vehicle’s paint code from the registration number alone. Vehicle registrations do not provide us with the exact manufacturer colour reference required for mixing paint.
Please locate the manufacturer paint code using the guide above before ordering. If the code is not displayed on the vehicle, you may need to contact the vehicle manufacturer or a main dealer to obtain it.
Still Can’t Find Your Paint Code?
If you have checked the common locations and still cannot identify the correct paint code, contact us before placing your order.
If possible, send us a clear photograph of the vehicle identification label or plate. We may be able to help identify which reference is the paint code, although some vehicles will require confirmation from the manufacturer or a main dealer.
Contact UsCheck the door shuts and pillars.
Check the engine compartment.
Check beneath the boot floor or spare-wheel area.
Check the service book and original vehicle documents.
Take a clear photo of any vehicle-information labels you find.
Found Your Vehicle Paint Code?
Once you have the correct manufacturer paint code, you can order professionally mixed automotive paint prepared to the information you provide.
Always check the code carefully before ordering and test the colour before completing the repair.
