What a car body number looks like: where to look, photo and explanation

The body number is a unique vehicle identifier that is often confused with VIN code. Although both codes serve to identify the car, the body number has its own purpose: it records data about the manufacturer, model and even year of manufacture of a particular instance. Without this number, it is impossible to obtain insurance, register the car, or check its history through traffic police or services like Autocode.

The problem is that the chassis number is not always easy to find. On some models it is hidden under the hood, on others it is knocked out on the door pillar, and on older cars it can be completely painted over or corroded. In this article we will look at what the body number looks like on different brands, where to look for it, and what to do if it is not readable or does not match the documents. You will also find out why scammers often fake this particular number - and how to avoid running into a “damaged” car.

How does the body number differ from the VIN code?

Many car owners mistakenly think that VIN and body number - it's the same thing. In fact, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is an international identification standard that includes, among other things, body data. And the body number is a separate factory code that can duplicate part of the VIN or be independent.

Key differences:

• 🔹 VIN - always 17 characters (numbers + Latin letters, except I, O, Q). The body number can be shorter (from 9 to 13 characters) and contain Cyrillic (on domestic cars).
• 🔹 VIN is knocked out on integral parts (for example, on the side members), and the body number is on removable panels (door pillars, engine compartment).
• 🔹B PTS and STS Both codes are indicated, but for registration with the traffic police it is the body number that is critical.

For example, at Toyota Corolla 2020 VIN looks like JTNKARJKX0D123456, and the body number is as AXEA123456789. If only the VIN is indicated in the documents, but the body number is missing, this is a reason to be wary.

Where is the body number located: 5 typical locations

Manufacturers do not adhere to a single standard for the location of the body number. On European and American on cars it is most often stamped on the driver's door pillar or under the hood, and on Japanese - under the rear seat or on the windshield. Below - exact places for different brands.

1. Driver's door pillar (the most common place)

On most modern cars, the body number is stamped on a metal plate or directly on the body in the driver's door opening. To see it, open the door and look at the pillar from the passenger compartment. Exception - Mercedes-Benz and BMW, where the number may be hidden under a plastic cover.

2. Under the hood (on the side members or engine shield)

By car Volkswagen, Audi and Skoda The body number is often duplicated on the side member or engine shield. Look for it on the right (in the direction of travel) next to the battery or on the front panel under the windshield. On domestic cars (for example, Lada Vesta) the number can be stamped on the mudguard amplifier.

3. Under the rear seat (Japanese and Korean cars)

Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai and Kia Often the body number is placed under the rear seat, on the trunk floor or on the rear wheel arch. To find it, you will have to remove the trim or fold down the seat. On Mitsubishi Outlander The number may be hidden under the spare wheel.

4. On the windshield (rare, but occurs)

On some older models (eg Ford Sierra or Opel Vectra 90s) the body number is engraved in the lower corner of the windshield on the driver's side. It is visible only in bright light at a certain angle.

5. In the trunk (on arches or sills)

U Volvo and Saab The body number is sometimes stamped on the rear wheel arch in the trunk. On station wagons and hatchbacks it can be found on the threshold under the back door. In this case, for inspection you will need a flashlight and, possibly, a screwdriver to remove the plastic plugs.

What the body number looks like: photos and examples

The appearance of the body number depends on car make and year of manufacture. On modern machines it is usually a combination of numbers and Latin letters, embossed with dot engraving. On old domestic cars (for example, VAZ-2106) number may contain Cyrillic characters and be punched out by hand.

Examples of real body numbers:

• 📌 Toyota Camry (2018): AXVH52L-1234567 - alphanumeric code with a hyphen, stamped on the door pillar.
• 📌 Volkswagen Passat (2015): WVWZZZ3CZDE123456 - matches the last characters of the VIN.
• 📌 Lada Granta (2020): XTA210730A1234567 - contains the Cyrillic letter "A".
• 📌 Ford Focus (2010): WFOXXXGABCD123456 — stamped on the side member under the hood.

Photos of body numbers on different cars:

(Description of images for search engine optimization:)

• 📷 Body number on the door pillar Toyota RAV4 — clear characters without traces of forgery.
• 📷 Corroded body number on VAZ-2110 - Cleaning required for reading.
• 📷 Duplicate body number under the hood Skoda Octavia — comparison with VIN.
• 📷 Body number under the rear seat Hyundai Solaris - hidden under the skin.

Important: on cars produced before 2000, the body number could be applied by paint or etching, rather than engraving. Such numbers are easier to fake, so they are checked especially carefully.

How to decipher the body number?

The body number, unlike the VIN, does not have a uniform decoding standard. However, in most cases its structure includes:

1. Manufacturer code (1-3 characters) - for example, WDB for Mercedes-Benz, JT for Toyota.
2. Model code (2–4 characters) - indicates series and modification.
3. Serial number (5–8 characters) is a unique identifier of a specific car.