Search by chassis number
Paint code by VIN
The VIN never changes, even when the plate does. Enter the 17 characters and we'll find the car, its colour and its factory paint code.
Where to find your VIN
- Windscreen — bottom corner on the passenger side, readable from outside.
- Driver’s door pillar — on the vehicle label, often next to the paint code itself.
- V5C logbook — listed as the VIN or chassis number.
What the 17 characters mean
| Characters | Part | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Manufacturer | Who built it and where (for example WVW = Volkswagen, Germany). |
| 4–9 | Vehicle description | Model, body and engine; the 9th character is a check digit in some markets. |
| 10 | Model year | A letter or number for the year — not always the year it was registered. |
| 11 | Factory | The plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial number | This car’s own number on the production line. |
Paint code by VIN — questions
Can I find my paint code with just the VIN?
Yes. Enter the 17-character VIN in the box above. We match it to the car’s registration and records, then show its colour and paint code.
Does the VIN contain the paint code?
No. The VIN identifies the car, not its colour — the paint code is recorded against the car, so the VIN is the key we look it up with.
Where is the VIN on my car?
At the bottom of the windscreen on the passenger side, on the driver’s door pillar, and on your V5C logbook. It is 17 characters and never uses the letters I, O or Q.
When is a VIN search better than the reg?
After a private plate transfer, for imports, or when you only have the V5C or a service record to hand — the VIN never changes, the plate can.
Prefer the plate? Search by registration · Found the label instead? Where the paint code is on each make