Logo Mercedes-Benz with three rays inside a circle often confused with the symbol BMW>, although their story is radically different: the first refers to dominance on land, air and sea, and the second - to the rotating propeller of an airplane. If you see an emblem with four rings, it is 100% Audi, not Volkswagen, although both brands are part of the same concern. Misidentification can be costly: when buying a used car by VIN code or when selecting spare parts.

Understanding car signs is more difficult than it seems: some manufacturers changed their logo designs 5-7 times (as Peugeot with a lion), others hide historical references in their emblems (for example, Alfa Romeo with a red cross - a tribute to Milan), and still others use abstract forms that are difficult to remember (like Infiniti with infinity). In this article - detailed decoding of 50+ auto signs with photos, years of changes and practical tips on how not to confuse similar logos.

Pay special attention to the emblems of premium brands: counterfeits Porsche, Lamborghini or Ferrari are more common than you think. For example, the original sign Ferrari always has a yellow background with a black horse, and not vice versa - this is a key marker of authenticity. If you are planning to buy a used car, checking the logo on the body and documents will help you avoid fraud with mixed numbers.

How to distinguish similar logos: 5 double pairs

The most common confusion arises between Suzuki and Subaru: Both Japanese brands use a stylized "S", but the first has a red lettering in a silver oval, and the second has six stars symbolizing the Pleiades cluster. Another double pair: Mitsubishi (three red diamonds) and Mazda (stylized letter "M" in an oval). To avoid mistakes, remember:

  • 🔴 Hyundai vs Honda: the Korean brand has an ellipse with an oblique font, the Japanese brand has a stylized “H” in a rectangle.
  • 🔵 Kia vs Nissan: y Kia oval emblem with the letter "K" in the center, Nissan - a circle with a horizontal line.
  • ⚫ Lexus vs Acura: y Lexus letter "L" in an oval, y Acura — stylized "A" with horizontal lines.
  • ⚪ Volvo vs Saab: Swedish Volvo male sign (☉) with a diagonal stripe, Saab - head of a griffin.
  • 🟢 Renault vs Dacia: y Renault rhombus with horizontal lines Dacia - a sign in the form of a shield with wavy stripes.

When in doubt, use proven life hack: Compare the logo on the hood with the official photos on the manufacturer’s website. For example, at Toyota the ellipse always has strictly defined proportions (width to height ratio 3:2), and in fakes it is often elongated or flattened.

📊 Which logo do you confuse most often?
Suzuki and Subaru
Hyundai and Honda
Kia and Nissan
Volvo and Saab

Top 10 most recognizable car signs and their history

Logo BMW with blue and white sectors - not just an abstract pattern, but a reference to the Bavarian flag and the rotating propeller of an airplane (the company began as a manufacturer of aircraft engines). And here is the emblem Mercedes-Benz with three beams appeared in 1926 after the merger Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie — each ray symbolizes transport on land, in the air and on water.

Other legendary characters include:

  • 🏆 Ferrari: yellow background is the color of Modena (Enzo Ferrari’s hometown), black horse is a tribute to the pilot Francesco Baracca, who died in the First World War.
  • 🦁 Peugeot: The lion appeared in 1847 as a symbol of strength and flexibility (the company began with the production of saws).
  • 🐂 Lamborghini: Bull is Ferruccio Lamborghini's zodiac sign (Taurus) and a reference to his love of bullfighting.
  • 🏁 Porsche: deer and antlers are the coat of arms of Stuttgart (the city where the company was founded), red and black stripes are the colors of the state of Württemberg.
Brand Year of logo appearance Hidden Meaning Latest update
Audi 1932 Four rings - merger of four companies (Audi, DKW, Horch, Wanderer) 2020 (simplification)
Volkswagen 1937 Stylized "V" and "W" in a circle - "people's car" (translation of the name) 2019 (3D → flat)
Toyota 1989 Three ellipses - the heart of the customer, the heart of the product and endless technological possibilities 2020 (minimalism)
Ford 1907 Gothic font is a tribute to tradition (Henry Ford loved history) 2017 (blue oval removed)
Tesla 2003 Letter "T" in the form of a shield - environmental protection and innovation 2020 (simplification)

Critical nuance: if you see the logo Tesla with red color it is 100% fake. The official emblem is always silver or black.

Premium brand emblems: how to distinguish the original from the fake

Fake logos Mercedes-Benz>, BMW and Lexus often found on the market for spare parts and used cars. Here are the key features of the original signs:

  • 🔍 Mercedes-Benz: there should be a three-pointed star convex, with clear edges and varnish coating. Counterfeits often have flat metal.
  • 🔎 BMW: blue and white sectors have strictly 90° angle, not 80° or 100° (check with a protractor!).
  • 🕵️ Lexus: the letter "L" in the oval has rounded ends, and not sharp (like fakes).
  • 💎 Porsche: the deer on the coat of arms should look left, and not to the right (a common replica error).
⚠️ Attention: if the emblem is glued and not attached with rivets/screws, this is a sure sign of a fake or a makeshift repair. Original signs of premium brands are always fixed mechanically.

To verify the authenticity of the logo, use UV lamp: original emblems BMW and Mercedes have micro-inscriptions (for example, “Made in Germany”), visible only in ultraviolet light. Also pay attention to the weight: fake signs made of aluminum or plastic are lighter than the original ones (for example, the emblem Mercedes weighs ~120 g, and the replica weighs ~80 g).

1. Check the fastening (screws/rivets vs glue)

2. Measure angles and proportions (eg 90° for BMW)

3. Inspect under UV lamp (micro inscriptions)

4. Compare the weight with the original (for example, Mercedes ~120 g)

5. Check the varnish coating (should be glossy, without chips) -->

Logos of Chinese and new brands: what unfamiliar signs mean

Chinese automakers often use abstract or borrowed symbols. For example, a logo Geely is a stylized letter "G" in a silver oval, and Changan depicts wings symbolizing forward flight. But there are also more exotic options:

  • 🐯 Great Wall: stylized Great Wall of China (horizontal lines).
  • 🌊 BYD: three blue stripes - battery, sun and earth (the company specializes in electric vehicles).
  • 🏯 Hongqi: A red flag with a yellow emblem is a tribute to China (the name translates as “red flag”).
  • 🤖 NIO: blue and white ovals represent heaven and earth, and the name refers to the “new day” (New Input Output).

Among the new brands it is worth highlighting Lucid Motors (USA) with a logo in the form of a stylized eye - a symbol of technology transparency, and Rivian with a green wave representing environmental friendliness. If you see an unfamiliar sign on the road, use apps like Car Logo Quiz or AutoMarks for quick identification.

⚠️ Attention: Some Chinese brands (eg Chery or FAW) copy the design of logos of European manufacturers. For example, the logo Chery with the letter "A" in an oval resembles Audi>, but has a more rounded shape. Always check the model by VIN code!

The evolution of car signs: how logos changed from the 1900s to 2026

Car brand logos have undergone radical changes. For example, Ford in 1903 he used a complex coat of arms with ornaments, and by 1927 he switched to a minimalist blue oval with a white inscription. Likewise, Volkswagen in 1937 had a Nazi swastika in the center of the emblem (until 1945), which was replaced after the war with a neutral design.

Trends of recent years:

  • 📉 Minimalism: BMW, Volkswagen and Audi removed 3D effects, leaving flat logos (2019-2020).
  • 🎨 Color changes: Kia in 2021 it changed its color from red to black, symbolizing the transition to electric vehicles.
  • 🔄 Back to basics: Peugeot in 2021, the lion coat of arms, similar to the 1965 logo, returned.
  • 💡 Hidden meanings: Hyundai in 2020, he added the letter “H” to the logo, stylized as two hands shaking each other (a symbol of trust).

If you are the owner of a vintage car, pay attention to year of logo issue. For example, the logo Chevrolet with a “tick” (1913) differs from the modern one: the old version has thinner lines and elongated proportions. This is important when restoring classic cars or sourcing original parts.

How to find out the year of a logo by VIN code

1. The first 3 characters of the VIN are WMI (world manufacturer index), by which the brand can be identified.

2. The 10th character is model year (for example, "L" = 2020, "M" = 2021).

3. Check the year against the history of brand logo changes (for example, Toyota the ellipse appeared only in 1989).

Use databases like VINDecoderz or CarVertical for checking.

Practical application: where and how to check car signs

Knowledge of logos comes in handy in four key situations:

  1. Buying a used car: Compare the emblems on the hood, trunk and steering wheel with official photos. A discrepancy may indicate an accident or repainting.
  2. Selection of spare parts: Some details (such as radiator grilles) are tied to the logo design. For example, for Audi A4 2015 and 2018 need different emblems due to restyling.
  3. Paperwork: PTS and STS must indicate the brand with the correct logo. A mistake can lead to problems when selling.
  4. Tuning: if you change the logo (for example, put a sign AMG to normal Mercedes), this can be regarded as deception of the buyer (Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation).

For a quick check use:

  • 📱 Mobile applications: Car Logo Quiz, AutoMarks, VIN Scanner.
  • 🌍 Online services: logobank.ru, car-logos.org.
  • 🔍 Search by image: Upload a photo of your logo to Google Lens or Yandex.Images.
⚠️ Attention: if you buy a car with a logo Tesla, Lucid or another electrical brand, check that the VIN code and emblem match. Fraudsters often stick signs of premium brands on converted used cars (for example, Nissan Leaf under Tesla Model 3).
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If you doubt the authenticity of the logo, make a request to the official dealership with a photo of the emblem and VIN code. Most brands (eg. BMW, Mercedes) respond within 24 hours.

In Russia, changing or removing factory logos not prohibited by law, but there are important limitations:

  • 🚗 Replacement with another logo: if you put the logo of another brand (for example, Mersedes instead of Toyota), this can be regarded as consumer deception (Article 14.7 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).
  • 🔧 Removing a logo: if you remove the sign when tuning, this is not a violation, but it can reduce the value of the car when selling.
  • 📄 Documents: PTS and STS must indicate the original brand. Changing the logo does not require re-registration, but may raise questions from the traffic police.

In Europe and the USA the rules are stricter:

  • 🇪🇺 In the EU it is prohibited to use logos that do not correspond to the car brand (fine up to €2000).
  • 🇺🇸 In the USA for counterfeiting logos of premium brands (for example, Ferrari) can be brought under the law on trademarks (Lanham Act).

If you plan to sell a car with a modified logo, be sure to indicate this in the ad. For example: "The logo is installed M-Performance (not original)". This will help avoid claims from the buyer.

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Changing the logo does not require approval from the traffic police, but may affect the cost of the car and raise questions when selling. Always keep the original logo!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about car signs

🔹 Why do some cars have a logo on the front, while others don’t?

It depends on the brand design. For example, BMW and Mercedes always place the emblem on the hood, and Tesla and Koenigsegg often do without it (minimalistic approach). Also on some sports cars (for example, Porsche 911 GT3) the logo is removed to improve aerodynamics.

🔹 Is it possible to determine the car model by the logo?

No, the logo only indicates the brand. The model is determined by:

  • 🆔 Lettering on the trunk (for example, "A4" at Audi).
  • 🔢 VIN code (the first 3 characters are the brand, the next 6 are the model).
  • 📏 Radiator grille design (for example, "panther" Jaguar, "trapezoid" Renault).
🔹 Which logos are most often counterfeited?

Top 5 counterfeit emblems:

  1. Mercedes-Benz (especially signs AMG and Maybach).
  2. BMW (fakes often have incorrect sector angles).
  3. Ferrari (yellow background instead of black or vice versa).
  4. Lexus (the letter "L" with sharp ends instead of rounded ones).
  5. Tesla (red or blue color instead of silver).
🔹 How to restore an erased logo?

Recovery methods:

  • 🖌️ Polishing: for metal emblems (eg Mercedes) use paste 3M or Menzerna.
  • 🎨 Painting: for plastic signs (eg Toyota) select the color according to the code (indicated in the instruction manual).
  • 🔧 Replacement: original emblems can be ordered by article number (for example, for BMW logo item number - 51148135804).

Restoration cost: from 1,500 ₽ (polishing) to 10,000 ₽ (replacement with premium brands).

🔹 What to do if the logo falls off?

Instructions for installing a new emblem:

  1. Clean the mounting area with alcohol or white spirit.
  2. Apply glue 3M VHB or Loctite on the back of the sign.
  3. Press the emblem for 30-60 seconds (to polymerize the glue).
  4. Do not wash the car for 24 hours to allow the glue to dry completely.

For screw fastenings (e.g. Land Rover) use a torque wrench with force 2-3 Nmso as not to break the thread.