Mastering Car Paint Code Lookup Online: A Guide for Perfect Touch-Up Paint Matching

Importance of Accurate Paint Codes

Getting the exact factory paint code is the single most important step in achieving an invisible repair. Modern automotive finishes are complex systems—often metallic or pearl, sometimes tri-coat—and a name like “Grey” or “Pearl White” can cover many distinct formulas. That’s why you should always find car paint code online using a trusted car color code lookup before ordering.

Even within one model and year, manufacturers release variants under the same label. For example:

• Toyota 1F7 Classic Silver Metallic has multiple variants with different metallic flake loads.
• Nissan QAB Pearl White and Mazda 46V Soul Red Crystal are multi-stage colors that require the precise code to match the groundcoat and pearl layers.
• BMW 300 Alpine White and VW LA7W Reflex Silver have plant or year variants that look identical on screen but differ on the panel.

Using an imprecise match leads to visible halos, shade shifts, or a mismatch in the “flop” (how metallics change with viewing angle). On darker colors, the wrong variant can appear too blue or brown in sunlight; on pearls, the mica orientation may not blend, making even tiny chips stand out.

A correct vehicle paint code search also avoids these pitfalls:

• Paint names overlap across brands; codes don’t.
• Mid-year changes occur without a name change.
• Digital photos and mobile sensors can’t capture metallic orientation or pearl content accurately.

Know where to find paint code information on your car and documents:

• Driver’s door jamb label (common on Ford YZ Oxford White, J7 Magnetic, etc.)
• Under the bonnet/hood or on the slam panel (VW/Audi labels list codes like LC9A Candy White)
• Spare wheel well or boot/trunk area (frequent on European makes)
• Owner’s manual, service booklet, or build sheet
• Dealer service records

If you’re unsure which label is correct, use a paint code by registration tool for the UK. Entering your number plate narrows down exact matches and variants, making it faster to find car paint code online with confidence. With an accurate code in hand, you can order accurate car touch up paint and rely on precise blending for a seamless, professional-looking repair.

Demystifying Your Car's Paint Code

Your paint code is the manufacturer’s precise formula for your vehicle’s exterior colour. It’s different from the marketing name on brochures. While “Magnetic Grey” or “Reflex Silver” might describe a shade, the code (often a mix of letters/numbers) specifies the exact pigments and variants used at the factory, which is essential for accurate car touch up paint.

Where to find paint code on the car:

• Driver’s door jamb or B-pillar label
• Under the bonnet on the slam panel, strut tower, or firewall
• In the boot/spare wheel well or on a service booklet sticker
• Glovebox or under-seat labels (less common)

Examples by brand:

• Audi/Volkswagen: Boot/spare wheel well or service book sticker; codes like LA7W (Reflex Silver), LC9A (Candy White).
• BMW/MINI: Engine bay or door jamb; 300 (Alpine White), A52 (Space Grey).
• Ford: Driver door VIN sticker; two-letter codes such as J7 (Magnetic), HZ (Moondust Silver).
• Mercedes-Benz: Data card/under bonnet; 775 (Iridium Silver), 040 (Black).
• Toyota/Lexus: Driver’s door jamb; 1F7 (Classic Silver), 202 (Black).
• Honda: Under bonnet/door jamb; NH-797M (Modern Steel), R81 (Milano Red).
• Mazda: Door jamb; 46G (Machine Grey), 41V (Soul Red).
• Nissan: Firewall/door jamb; KAD (Gun Metallic), QAB (Pearl White).

Car color names can span multiple years with subtle shade shifts. Many manufacturers publish “alternates” or “variants” (A/B/C). If your sticker shows a suffix or variant note, match that when you complete a vehicle paint code search.

Prefer digital? You can find car paint code online using tools that offer paint code by registration. Enter the number plate, confirm make/model/year, and you’ll see the code and colour name. Chipex also supports search by registration or colour code, helping you confirm the exact factory formula before ordering.

Quick checks before you buy:

• Verify the colour name and code match the label and your build year.
• Consider if the car has been resprayed; compare panels in natural light.
• Note special finishes: metallic (M), pearl/tri-coat (often needs a base and pearl), and two-tone roofs may have separate codes.

Once you’ve confirmed the code, you’re set up for accurate car touch up paint that blends seamlessly with the original finish.

Physical Locations on Your Vehicle

Even if you plan to find car paint code online, knowing its physical location on your vehicle helps you confirm you’ve got the exact match. Codes are usually short alphanumeric strings and may appear next to labels such as Paint, Color, C/TR, EXT PNT, PNT, or BC/CC.

Common spots to check:

• Driver’s door jamb or B‑pillar (on the VIN/specification sticker)
• Under the bonnet: radiator support, firewall, or strut tower
• Boot/boot lid: spare wheel well, under the boot floor carpet, or inner panel
• Glove box (older models) or the service booklet/owner’s manual

Brand‑specific guidance and examples:

• Toyota/Lexus: Driver’s door jamb label marked C/TR. The color code is the first part, e.g., 040 (Super White), 1F7 (Classic Silver), 202 (Black).
• Ford: Driver’s door jamb sticker. Look for EXT PNT or simply PNT. Examples include YZ (Oxford White) and UA (Black).
• BMW/MINI: Metal or sticker plate in the engine bay (strut tower or firewall). Look for Lack-Nr./Colour with codes like 300 (Alpine White) or A52 (Space Grey).
• Volkswagen/Audi/Škoda/SEAT: Sticker in the boot near the spare wheel well or under the boot carpet; sometimes in the service book. Codes look like LA7W (Reflex Silver) or LY9B (Brilliant Black).
• Mercedes‑Benz: Engine bay or door jamb. Numeric codes such as 040 (Black) or 589 (Mars Red).
• Honda: Driver’s door jamb with codes like NH‑731P (Crystal Black Pearl) or R‑81 (Milano Red).
• Nissan: Driver’s door jamb; three‑character codes such as KAD (Gun Metal) or QAB (Pearl White).
• Mazda: Driver’s door jamb labelled Paint, e.g., 41V (Machine Grey) or 46V (Soul Red Crystal).
• Vauxhall/Opel: Door jamb, boot area, or glove box on some models; codes can appear as a short alphanumeric like Z22Y.

Tips:

• Clean the label area and use a torch; some stickers fade or collect grime.
• Lift the boot floor to check the spare wheel well; many VAG vehicles hide the sticker there.
• Photograph the code so you can enter it accurately during your vehicle paint code search.
• If a car has been resprayed, the physical code may not match the visible color; cross‑check with a car color code lookup or paint code by registration to be sure.

Once you’ve identified the code, use it to find car paint code online and order accurate car touch up paint with confidence.

Online Search: By Registration Number

Using your number plate is one of the fastest ways to find car paint code online, especially if you’re in the UK. Chipex lets you perform a car color code lookup by registration, matching your vehicle’s make, model, year, and factory paint options so you can order accurate car touch up paint with confidence.

How to use paint code by registration:

• Go to the Chipex website and choose the registration lookup.
• Enter your number plate (for example, AB12 CDE).
• Confirm the returned vehicle details (make, model, year, body style).
• Review the suggested paint name and code, plus any variants shown for your build year.
• Select your exact match and proceed to the kit size and accessories.

If your vehicle has multiple potential variants (common with greys, silvers, and whites), the tool may show more than one option. In that case:

• Compare the paint name and code against your vehicle’s information label.
• Typical label locations include the driver’s door jamb, under the bonnet on the slam panel, inside the boot/spare wheel well, or the service book. This is the quickest “where to find paint code” check.
• Pearl, three-stage, or special-order colours may have specific notes; read these carefully.

Concrete examples of a vehicle paint code search by registration:

• Ford Fiesta 2017 (AB12 CDE): Magnetic Grey, code C7.
• Volkswagen Golf 2015 (KV15 XYZ): Reflex Silver, code LA7W.
• BMW 3 Series 2019 (YK19 JKL): Mineral White, code A96.
• Toyota Auris 2014 (SJ14 MNO): Classic Silver Metallic, code 1F7.

Helpful tips for perfect matching:

• If your car has been partially resprayed, the paint code by registration will reflect the original factory colour, not a body shop mix—verify on the vehicle label.
• Sun fade can make the panel look slightly different; Chipex’s blending solution helps achieve a seamless finish.
• If the lookup shows an unexpected result (imports, rare editions), try the direct code search or contact support with your VIN and trim details.

By combining an easy registration-based tool with a quick label check, you’ll find car paint code online faster and order the most accurate car touch up paint for your repair.

Online Search: Using Your VIN

Your 17‑character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is one of the most reliable ways to find car paint code online because dealers and manufacturer databases can pull your exact build specification from it. The VIN itself doesn’t store the paint code, but it unlocks the factory record that does—ideal when labels have faded or the car has been imported.

You’ll find the VIN on the lower windscreen (driver’s side), inside the driver’s door jamb, or on your V5C logbook. Double‑check that it’s 17 characters with no I, O, or Q.

Use this approach for a precise vehicle paint code search:

• Gather your VIN and registration number.
• Visit the manufacturer’s owner portal or contact a dealer parts department; ask for the exterior paint code from the build sheet. Many brands return the paint code and official color name.
• Cross‑reference with reputable online paint databases that accept VIN queries to confirm the result.
• Note the code format before you order. Examples:

- BMW: 300 (Alpine White), A96 (Mineral White)

- Audi/VW: LY9B (Brilliant Black), LA7W (Reflex Silver)

- Ford: UA (Ebony), Z2 (Frozen White)

- Toyota/Lexus: 1F7 (Classic Silver), 3R1 (Barcelona Red)

• If VIN lookup isn’t available, try paint code by registration on trusted UK car care sites, or search by color code directly when you already have it.

A few tips for accuracy:

• Factory tri‑coats may list multiple stages (e.g., base and midcoat). Make sure the full code is captured.
• Resprayed panels won’t match the VIN‑derived factory color. If you suspect a respray, match against the code on the car’s paint label and visual inspection.
• Some models share similar names with different codes; always prioritize the alphanumeric code over the color name.

Once you’ve confirmed the code, enter it at Chipex to get accurate car touch up paint with a 100% Colour Match Guarantee. You can also search by car registration or color code on site. Chipex’s advanced, easy‑to‑use formula, quick drying time, and blending solution help you achieve a seamless finish, with essential accessories included for a professional result at home.

Decoding Paint Code Information

When you find car paint code online, you’re looking for the exact formula the manufacturer used on your vehicle—not just the marketing color name. A code is an alphanumeric identifier such as Toyota 1F7 (Classic Silver Metallic), BMW A96 (Mineral White Metallic), VW LC9A (Candy/Pure White), Ford Z2 (Frozen White), or Mazda 46V (Soul Red Crystal). The color name can have synonyms across markets, but the code points to the precise mix needed for accurate car touch up paint.

A vehicle paint code search often returns more than a single line of text. Expect to see:

• Manufacturer code and alternates (e.g., GM WA8555 or U8555 for Black)
• Official color name plus aliases used in different regions
• Year range and models using the same code
• Paint type and system: solid, metallic, pearl; 2-stage (base/clear) or 3-stage (tri-coat)
• Variant or shade information (A/B, light/medium/dark) reflecting factory batch differences
• Notes on special effects (mica, xirallic, coarse/medium/fine metallic)

Pay close attention to tri-coats and variants. Colors like Mazda 46V or many pearl whites are three-stage finishes (base, mid, clear). Selecting the correct variant ensures the blend is seamless on your panel edges.

If you prefer to verify the label on the car rather than rely solely on car color code lookup tools, here’s where to find paint code information on common makes:

• Driver’s door jamb/B-pillar: Ford, Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai, Kia, many BMW and Mercedes-Benz models
• Under bonnet/engine bay: Nissan (some models), older Mercedes-Benz (radiator support)
• Boot/trunk area or spare wheel well, and service book: VW, Audi, Skoda, SEAT

The label may read “Paint,” “Color,” “Ext Pnt,” “PAINT/TRIM,” or show a standalone code (e.g., A96).

VINs rarely include the color code, but online tools can translate your VIN or, in the UK, use paint code by registration to identify the correct formula. With Chipex, you can run a quick vehicle paint code search by reg or enter the code directly to order a kit backed by a 100% Colour Match Guarantee. The quick-drying paint and blending solution help you achieve a factory-style finish, even on metallics and pearls.

Troubleshooting Missing Paint Codes

Can’t see a label under the bonnet or in the door jamb? Here’s how to proceed when your code isn’t obvious—without risking a mismatch.

Start with physical checks. Manufacturers put codes in different places:

• Driver or passenger door jamb label (often marked Paint, Color, TR, C/CO)
• Under the bonnet on the bulkhead, radiator support, or slam panel
• Inside the boot, spare wheel well, or on the boot lid
• Fuel-filler flap or inside the glovebox

Typical formats vary by brand. Examples:

• Audi/VW: LY9B (Brilliant Black), LA7W (Reflex Silver)
• Toyota/Lexus: 1F7 (Classic Silver), 070 (White Pearl)
• BMW: 300 (Alpine White)
• Mercedes-Benz: 775 (Iridium Silver)

You’ll often see a name plus a code; always rely on the code for mixing.

If the label is missing or illegible, find car paint code online using a car color code lookup. A vehicle paint code search by make, model, and year can narrow it down, but the most precise route in the UK is a paint code by registration service. This matches your exact build data to the correct formula. Chipex allows you to search by car registration or code, helping you go straight to accurate car touch up paint.

Still no luck? Try these next steps:

• Contact a franchised dealer with your VIN; they can retrieve the original paint code from factory records.
• Check past bodyshop invoices or service history; respray paperwork often lists the code.
• Confirm whether your colour is a tri-coat/pearl (e.g., Toyota 070), which requires specific ground and mid coats even with the right code.

Watch for pitfalls that cause mismatches:

• Variants within the same code (common on high-volume colours). Suppliers may list variant options; if offered, choose based on your build date or ask support.
• Sun fade or previous resprays. Test your chosen colour on an inconspicuous spot (inside fuel flap) and evaluate in daylight.
• Two-tone vehicles and special editions sometimes carry multiple codes; ensure you capture the exterior body code, not interior trim.

Once you’ve identified the code—or verified via registration—order a kit that includes a blending solution and quick-drying formula for a seamless finish. Chipex backs this with a 100% Colour Match Guarantee.

Ensuring a Perfect Touch-Up Match

A flawless repair starts with the exact OEM colour, so take a few minutes to verify your details before you order. Here’s how to confidently find car paint code online and turn that information into an invisible fix.

• Start with a vehicle paint code search by registration. If you’re in the UK, use a paint code by registration tool to pull the exact OEM code for your number plate. Cross-check the returned code against your car’s build label for complete certainty.

• Know where to find paint code on the vehicle:

- Driver’s door jamb/B‑pillar: common on Ford, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan.

- Under bonnet on strut tower or radiator support: often BMW, Mercedes‑Benz.

- Boot/trunk area or spare wheel well sticker: typical for Volkswagen/Audi/Skoda/SEAT.

- Glovebox or service booklet: some older models and select brands.

Look for a short alphanumeric like LA7W (VW Reflex Silver), A96 (BMW Mineral White), 1F7 (Toyota Silver), or RR (Ford Ruby Red). Avoid interior trim codes.

• Match the name and code. Colour names can overlap across years and models, but codes are unique. For example, VW “Reflex Silver” = LA7W, while BMW “Glacier Silver” = A83—similar names, different paints. Always order by code, not name.

• Identify special finishes. Metallic and pearlescent tones, and tri‑coat colors (e.g., Toyota 070 Blizzard Pearl, Ford RR Ruby Red Tinted Clearcoat), may require multiple thin layers for depth. This is normal and ensures accurate car touch up paint results.

• Check for two‑tone or special edition variants. Vans, commercial vehicles, and some trims can use different colours on bumpers or mirrors. Verify each painted panel if in doubt.

• Consider age and fade. OEM codes don’t change, but paint can weather. Make a small test application on a concealed edge, then blend to surrounding paint. A quality blending solution helps melt the new paint into the old finish for a seamless transition.

• Control your environment. Clean and decontaminate the chip, work in dry conditions, and judge colour in natural daylight as well as garage lighting.

When you’ve completed your car color code lookup, order the exact match kit. Chipex pairs your code with its advanced, quick‑drying touch‑up paint and a dedicated blending solution, backed by a 100% Colour Match Guarantee—so your DIY repair looks factory‑fresh.