Paint Code Location Guide

How to Find the Paint Code on Your Vehicle (Guide)

If you're planning a touch-up or a full respray, finding the correct paint code for your car is essential. This ensures an exact colour match and a professional finish. Most manufacturers include this code somewhere on your vehicle usually on a label or plate in specific areas.

Where to Look for Your Paint Code

The paint code is often found in one of the following locations:

• Driver’s Side Door Jamb:
  Open the driver's door and check the edge of the door or the door frame. A label here may include information such as VIN, tyre pressures, and the paint code.

• Under the Bonnet (Engine Bay):
  Some manufacturers place the paint code on the bulkhead, firewall, or underneath the bonnet near the latch.

• Boot Area:
  Check near the spare wheel well, boot lid, or side panels in the luggage compartment.

• Inside the Glovebox:
  Less common, but some vehicles have a sticker inside the glove compartment.

Paint Code Locations by Vehicle Brand

Here’s where you’re most likely to find your paint code, depending on the manufacturer:

Ford

• Usually found on a label inside the driver's door frame.

• Codes may appear as names (e.g. Frozen White, Moondust Silver) or short alphanumeric codes.

Vauxhall/Opel

• Often under the bonnet or inside the door frame.

• Codes are typically three digits (e.g. Z22C, GAP, 547).

Volkswagen (VW) / Audi / Seat / Skoda

• Commonly in the boot, under the carpet, or near the spare tyre.

• Look for codes like LA7W (Reflex Silver) or LC9Z (Deep Black).

BMW/Mini

• Located under the bonnet (on strut towers) or inside the driver's door.

• Codes are usually numeric or alphanumeric (e.g. 300 Alpine White, A52 Space Grey).

Mercedes-Benz

• Often placed on the radiator support, bonnet underside, or driver’s door jamb.

• Common codes include 040 (Black), 775 (Iridium Silver).

Toyota

• Generally located on the driver’s door frame.

• Codes include 1F7 (Silver), 3P0 (Super Red).

Nissan

• Usually on the driver’s door pillar or under the bonnet.

• Typical codes are KH3 (Black), QAB (Pearl White).

Tips for Finding and Reading Your Paint Code

• The code may be labelled as "Paint," "Colour," "C/TR," "PNT" or something similar.

• Paint codes vary in format: some are numbers (300), some alphanumeric (LZ9Y), and some may include slashes (C/TR: 1G3/FA09).

• Don't confuse it with the VIN that’s a separate, much longer identification number.

Still Can't Find It?

If you're unable to locate the paint code:

• Check your owner’s manual it may have a diagram showing where to look.

• Contact the car manufacturer or a local dealership with your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) they can usually look it up for you.

Example Image Descriptions

• Driver's Side Door Sticker: Show a close-up of a door frame label with a highlighted paint code.

• Under Bonnet Plate: Example of a sticker or plate with the paint code listed clearly.

• Boot Compartment: Label near spare Tyre with the paint code circled.