Paint code and the VIN number
A VIN does not contain the paint code. The VIN identifies the manufacturer, the model, the model year, the plant and the serial number — the colour is a line on the build sheet, not part of the number. So nobody can read a paint code out of a VIN alone, us included. Here is what does work.
What is actually encoded in a VIN?
17 characters: the manufacturer and country of origin, the model and its technical description, the model year, the plant and the car's serial number. No position in it stands for the colour.
Then why do people say a paint code can be found by VIN?
Because a dealer really can do it — just not from the number itself. In the manufacturer's service system the VIN pulls up that specific car's build data, and the factory paint code is listed there. That information sits in the manufacturer's database, not in the VIN.
What should I ask the dealer for?
Contact any official service centre for your brand, give them the VIN and ask for the factory paint code — it may also be called colour code or Farbcode. It usually takes a few minutes.
Can PaintForCar look up a paint code from a VIN?
No. We have no access to manufacturers' build data, so a VIN tells us nothing about the colour. We help in other ways: showing where the factory sticker is, offering the catalogue by code, and helping identify the colour from your car details and photos.
Where is the paint code on the car?
Usually on the manufacturer sticker or metal plate inside the door jamb, in the boot, or under the bonnet. The spot differs by brand — the interactive diagram on the “How to find your paint code” page shows yours.
What does a paint code look like?
A short letter-and-number combination. Examples: LA7W, 300, NH-731P, 475. On the sticker it may be labelled Paint, Color, Colour or Lackcode.
What if the sticker is missing or unreadable?
Send us your car details — make, model and year — along with daylight photos of the paint. We will help identify the colour from our catalogue. We do not look paint codes up from a VIN.
What to do next
Start with the factory sticker — it is the fastest route. If there is no code, or you cannot read it, write to us.