Have you bought a used car and want to touch up a scratch, but don't know the exact shade of paint? Or are you planning a complete repainting, but are afraid to make a mistake with the coloring? Body color code - this is your main assistant in such situations. Without it, even car service professionals cannot guarantee a 100% shade match.

It is no coincidence that car manufacturers assign a unique code to each color - this simplifies the selection of materials for repairs and maintains uniformity of shades on the assembly line. However, finding this information is not always easy: different brands code locations may differ radically. In this article we will look at all possible options, where the paint color of your car can be indicated - from the obvious to the most unexpected.

Spoiler: sometimes the code is hidden so well that you have to remove the trim or look under the hood with a flashlight. But don’t worry - we will tell you how to act in any situation.

1. VIN plate: the main place to look for color

On 90% of cars paint color code indicated on the nameplate along with the VIN. This is the most reliable place, since the information is provided by the manufacturer and does not depend on dealers or previous owners. Where to look?

  • 🚗 Under the hood — on the rack, the partition between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment, or on the inside of the driver’s door (the most common option).
  • 🔧 On the center pillar (on the driver or passenger side) - often in Japanese and Korean cars (Toyota, Hyundai, Kia).
  • 🚪 In the doorway - on a sticker or metal plate (typical for Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda).
  • 🔑 In the trunk - under the spare wheel or on the cover (found on Ford, Opel).

On the sign, look for inscriptions like: Paint, Color, Farbe (for German cars), Couleur (for French), Colore (for Italians). Nearby there will be a combination of 2–5 characters: letters and numbers. For example, at Toyota it could be 1G3 (metallic silver), and BMW — A30 (alpine white).

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If the plate is rusty or the code has been erased, try taking a photo of it at close range and enlarging the image on your computer. Sometimes the numbers become readable.

⚠️ Attention: On some cars (especially premium cars), the plate may be sealed with Shumka or sheathing. For example, at Mercedes-Benz it is often hidden under a plastic panel in the doorway - you have to carefully peel back the trim.

2. Service book and documents for the car

If you are the owner of a used car, check service book (if it is preserved). In the technical specifications section or on the first page they sometimes indicate:

  • 📋 Body color code (can be designated as Ext. Color or Body Color).
  • 🎨 Shade name in the manufacturer's language (for example, "Mineral White Metallic" at BMW).
  • 🔢 Interior code (if plastic tinting is needed).

Also see: PTS (vehicle passport) - the color is indicated there in words (for example, “white”), but this will not help with accurate tinting. OSAGO insurance policy — sometimes duplicates information from the PTS, but without codes. Sales and purchase agreement - if the previous owner specified the color when selling.

📊 Where do you usually store documents for your car?
In the glove compartment
In the home safe
In a folder on a shelf
Electronic copies on your phone
Another option

⚠️ Attention: The documents may indicate base color (for example, "black"), but in fact your car is "Onyx Black Metallic" with pearlescent effect. This information is not enough for accurate tinting!

3. Fuel filler flap: an unexpected place for a color code

Many car owners do not know, but inside of the fuel filler flap often duplicate information from the nameplate. This is typical for:

  • 🇯🇵 Japanese cars: Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Subaru.
  • 🇺🇸 American: Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep.
  • 🇰🇷 Korean: Hyundai, Kia (especially models after 2010).

As a rule, the following is indicated there: Recommended fuel, Tire pressure, Paint code (can be designated as Paint Code or just Color).

Example for Toyota Corolla:

On the hatch you will see something like 1G3 / C2L - these are the color codes for the body and interior trim.

Why is the color code duplicated on the gas filler flap?

Manufacturers do this for the convenience of service centers and owners. In the event of an accident or body repair, there is not always access to the interior or engine compartment, and the gas tank flap almost always opens. In addition, this place is less susceptible to corrosion and mechanical damage.

4. Engine compartment: where to look for the code on different brands

If the VIN plate does not include color information, check other places under the hood. Each brand has its own “tricks”:

Car make Code location Example notation
Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda On a sticker under the windshield (driver's side) or on the pillar LA7W (metallic blue)
BMW, Mini On a plate in the trunk (under the carpet) or on the door pillar A30 (alpine white)
Mercedes-Benz Under the hood on the bulkhead or on a sticker in the glove compartment 744 (diamond silver)
Ford, Lincoln On a sign in the doorway or on the gas filler flap UX (black onyx)
Renault, Dacia On a sticker under the hood or on the front door pillar 6002 (beige)

⚠️ Attention: U Mercedes-Benz and BMW color code can be specified only on the German plate (for example, Farbe). If you see an English sticker, look further - it may be a duplicate for export markets.

5. Trunk and hidden stickers: where manufacturers hide secrets

If you've looked all over the car but still haven't found the code, look in the trunk. Duplicate stickers are often hidden there:

  • 🔦 Under the spare wheel - on a metal floor (typical for Opel, Peugeot, Citroën).
  • 🧳 On the inside of the trunk lid - y Volvo and Saab.
  • 🔧 Near the battery - for some Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) auto.
  • 🚪 Hinged trunk lid - y Fiat and Alfa Romeo.

Tip: take a flashlight and look around carefully metal surfaces — stickers can be small (the size of a coin) and blend in with the color of the body.

Remove the mat and spare tire|Check the inside of the trunk lid|Inspect the hinges and fastenings|Shine a flashlight in the corners under the trim-->

6. Online services and databases: how to find out color by VIN

If a physical search does not produce results, use online databases. To do this, you will need your car's VIN (17 characters). Where to look:

  • 🌍 Official websites of manufacturers - y Toyota, Ford and BMW There are VIN decoding services (free).
  • 🔍 Specialized services: VINDecoderZ, VINFreeCheck (may show color in paid version).
  • 📱 Mobile applications — VIN Decoder (Android/iOS) or CarVertical (paid report with color history).

Example of a VIN report: WVWZZZ1KZBM123456 → Volkswagen Golf, 2013, color: LA7W (Reflex Silver Metallic).

⚠️ Attention: Online services may show irrelevant informationif the car has been repainted. Always check the data against the physical stickers!

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If the car has been in a serious accident, the color code in the VIN database may not match the real one. In such cases, trust only the nameplates or a spectrophotometer in a car service center.

7. What should I do if the color code is not found?

If you have checked all the places, but still haven’t found the code, there are several ways out:

  1. Contact an authorized dealer - using the VIN, they can provide information from the factory database (sometimes for a fee).
  2. Use spectrophotometer — a device for accurately determining color (available in professional car services). Cost of the service: 500–1500 ₽.
  3. Compare with RAL or Pantone catalog — if you know the approximate shade, you can select a similar code visually.
  4. View similar cars — on the forums of owners of your model they often post photos of plates with codes.

⚠️ Attention: If the car has been repainted, none of the methods guarantees a 100% match. In such cases, it is better to contact a colorist - a specialist in paint selection.

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Before going to a car service center, take photographs of all stickers and plates you find. This will help craftsmen quickly navigate and avoid mistakes when tinting.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about car color codes

Is it possible to determine the paint color from a photo of a car?

No, that's impossible. Colors in photos are distorted due to lighting, camera settings and compression formats (JPEG, HEIC). Even professional photographers will not be able to accurately convey the shade of metallic or pearlescent. The only reliable way is the manufacturer's code or spectrophotometer.

What do the letters and numbers in the color code mean?

Color codes are not universal - each manufacturer uses its own system. For example:

  • U Toyota 1G3 - silver metallic, where 1 - series, G3 - shade.
  • U BMW A30 — A denotes the color family (whites), 30 - specific shade.
  • U Volkswagen LA7W — L indicates metallic, A7W — unique identifier.

You can decipher the code in the manufacturer's catalog or at the dealer.

Can the color code differ on different parts of the body?

Yes, but extremely rarely. This happens if:

  • The car was assembled at different factories (for example, Renault Duster for Russia and Romania).
  • The body was painted in parts after an accident (then the code on the plate will not match the actual color of the parts).
  • The manufacturer has made changes to the color line (relevant for restyled models).

In such cases, focus on main code (on the VIN plate) and check visually.

What is the most popular paint color among manufacturers?

According to statistics for 2023–2026, the leaders are:

  1. White (including pearl and metallics) - 35% of all sales.
  2. Gray (graphite, platinum) - 22%.
  3. Black (deep, onyx) - 18%.
  4. Blue (metallic) - 10%.

Red and green colors account for less than 5% of the market. At the same time, premium brands (Mercedes, BMW, Audi) the share of dark shades (black, dark blue) reaches 50%.

Can I order paint by color code myself?

Yes, but there are nuances:

  • 🎨 For spray cans (aerosol) - just give the code to the salesperson at the auto store. Popular brands: Mobihel, Kudo, Motip.
  • 🖌️ For professional painting — the code is needed by the master, but he also takes into account burnout degree paints (in the sun the color fades in 2-3 years).
  • ⚠️ For metallic/pearl — one code is not enough. You need to know the varnish manufacturer and the type of pigment (for example, 2K or 3K).

For an accurate result, it is better to buy paint in trusted stores (for example, Autocolor, PPG) or order through a dealer.