How to check your car paint code correctly
Date 
2024-10-07
How do I check my car's paint code correctly?
Getting the paint code right is what decides whether a repair is invisible. A carefully checked code means the new paint blends into the rest of the car with no visible difference in shade. So where do you find that code, and what should you watch out for? Below we go through how to check the paint code on your vehicle.
1. Where is the paint code?
Every manufacturer records the paint code in a fixed place. The usual spots are:
- In the engine bay (for example on the inner wing or the suspension turret)
- In the door frame of the driver's or passenger's door
- In the boot (under the boot mat or on the inside of the tailgate)
- In the owner's manual or the service book
Every make has its own convention, so it is worth checking in advance where the plate normally sits on your model.
2. Reading the paint code correctly
A paint code is usually made up of letters, numbers or a mix of both. For example:
- AUDI: LY7G, LZ5F
- BMW: 300 (Alpine White), 354 (Titanium Silver)
- VW: LA7W, LC9Z
If you are not sure which of the numbers on the plate is the actual paint code, compare it against the owner's manual or look it up online (manufacturer sites or paint databases). Many sites let you enter the make, model and year of manufacture to find the correct code.
3. Mind the model year and special editions
Bear in mind that the paint code can change between special editions or model updates. An Audi A4 built in 2004 may carry a different code from a 2005 car, even though the colour looks identical at first glance. Always match the code against the exact model, year and trim level.
4. Shade differences caused by ageing
Even with the right code, paint changes over time. UV light, weather, stone chips and cleaning chemicals all make the original shade fade or shift slightly. A professional sprayer can use the code together with the actual colour on the car to work out the best possible match, and it is often worth having a small test panel sprayed first.
5. Use the experts and the tools available
If you are unsure whether your code is correct, ask a specialist - a paint sprayer or a body shop. Specialist online shops will often help identify the right shade too. A short message with your vehicle details and, if possible, a photo of the plate is usually enough to confirm the code.
In short
Finding the right paint code is the first step to a repair that works. Check the vehicle documents, use the manufacturer's information and ask for professional help where it makes sense. With the correct code, the repaired area will look no different from the rest of the bodywork - exactly as it did on day one.
