How to Find Your Car Paint Code | Car Cosmetic Solutions Leeds

What is a paint code?

The paint code is a manufacturer code used to mix the correct colour for your vehicle. It is more precise than a colour name like “blue” or “grey”. Having it helps with accurate matching on scratch, scuff and bumper repairs.

It is not the same as your registration number or the VIN, though it is often on a sticker near other vehicle labels.

Where to find your paint code

1. Driver’s door jamb

Most common place. Open the driver’s door and check the stickers on the door frame (B-pillar).

2. Under the bonnet

Look on the slam panel, strut towers or bulkhead for a paint or colour label.

3. Boot / tailgate

Sometimes inside the boot lid, on the tailgate or near the spare wheel well.

4. Handbook / service book

Occasionally noted by the dealer. Worth a quick check if the car stickers are worn.

What the code looks like

Short mix of letters and numbers (e.g. 6DTE, LY7H, A2B, 300)
May appear next to “Paint”, “Colour”, “Exterior” or “Finish”
Often on the same plate as the VIN or tyre pressures — read carefully

Tips for common makes

Locations vary by model and year. These are typical starting points:

Ford — driver’s door jamb or under the bonnet
Vauxhall / Opel — door jamb or under the bonnet
BMW / Mini — door jamb or under-bonnet label
VW / Audi / Skoda / SEAT — door jamb or boot area
Mercedes-Benz — door jamb or under the bonnet
Toyota / Honda / Nissan — often driver’s door jamb

What to send with your quote

Clear photos of the damage (car clean and dry, daylight if possible)
Photo of the paint code sticker if you find it
Your approximate location or postcode

Can’t find the code? That’s fine — still send damage photos. We can usually work from the vehicle; the code simply makes matching easier when available.

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How to Find Your Car’s Paint Code