FIND YOUR CAR’S PAINT CODE.

You can look for a car’s paint code through a registration lookup, its paint label or manufacturer records. A registration is a way to locate a vehicle record; its letters and numbers do not encode the paint formula.

Use a registration check

PaintReg’s one-off tool checks code availability from a UK registration before payment. An available result costs 95p and is emailed after payment. It can help when a vehicle label is hard to reach or read, but you should still compare it with the car.

Read the vehicle’s paint label

Check the owner’s handbook or the manufacturer’s vehicle information for the label location. Depending on the car, it may be in a door opening, under the bonnet or around the luggage compartment. The label can contain several identifiers, so find the field specifically marked for paint or colour; do not mistake a trim or upholstery code for exterior paint.

The Ford owner-manual directory is one example of where to find model-specific manufacturer guidance. Check the handbook for your own make and model.

Ask for the manufacturer’s build record

If the label is missing or unclear, a dealer or manufacturer may be able to identify the original finish using the vehicle’s VIN. Access and charges vary. A VIN identifies the vehicle; a generic VIN decode does not necessarily provide an exact paint code.

Before buying touch-up paint

Confirm the code, the paint product’s compatibility and whether the vehicle has separate body and roof colours. A paint code can have mixing variants. If the car has been resprayed, repaired or faded, a professional colour match may be needed to match its current finish.

Understand paint codes and colour names · Check the make directory