Your car's paint colour is more specific than it looks by eye. A silver car, for example, might actually be Reflex Silver, Iridium Silver, Moondust Silver or another manufacturer-specific shade. Two colours that look almost identical on a screen can use completely different formulas.

How Do I Find Out What Colour My Car Is?

Start with your registration number. Our car paint finder by registration helps identify the vehicle details needed to narrow down the correct colour. You can then confirm the exact paint code where required.

If you want a deeper explanation of the lookup process, see our guide on how to find your car's paint code by registration in the UK.

Car Colour vs Paint Code: What's The Difference?

Your V5C logbook may describe the vehicle simply as black, blue, silver or white. That is not the paint code. The paint code identifies the exact manufacturer formula used on the vehicle and is what you should use when ordering colour-matched touch-up paint.

If you already have a code and want help identifying it, use our car paint code guide.

Why Your Exact Car Colour Matters

Manufacturers can offer several very similar colours in the same model range. The finish also matters because solid, metallic, pearl and three-stage colours are applied differently.

Where Is My Car Paint Code?

The location varies by manufacturer, but the paint code is commonly found on a vehicle label or plate in one of these areas:

• Inside the driver or passenger door shut
• Under the bonnet
• Inside the boot or spare-wheel area
• On the vehicle information sticker
• In service or handbook information
• Through manufacturer data using the VIN

Can I Find My Car Colour From The Registration Number?

In many cases, yes. A registration lookup can identify the make, model, year and other vehicle details that help locate the correct colour information. Sometimes the registration data is enough to identify the paint; in other cases the paint code or VIN information still needs to be confirmed.

This is why our process starts with the registration rather than asking you to guess from a list of similar colours.

Find Paint By Car Manufacturer

You can also browse our manufacturer paint ranges directly. These pages connect you to the relevant vehicle paint colours, models and touch-up options.

Which Touch-Up Paint Product Should I Use?

Once you know the exact colour, choose the application method based on the size and type of damage.

For application advice before you start, see how to apply car touch-up paint or our touch-up pen guide.

Why Does My Paint Look Different Even With The Correct Code?

Even with the correct paint code, the colour can appear slightly different because of age, UV exposure, previous repairs, polishing, lacquer condition and factory shade variants. The code gives you the correct formula family, but the condition of the existing paint still affects how the finished repair looks.

What If My Car Has Been Repainted Before?

If a panel has previously been repaired, the colour on that panel may differ slightly from the original factory shade. A bodyshop may have blended a variant or adjusted the formula to match aged paint.

For most small chips and scratches, the factory paint code is still the best starting point. If the panel has clearly been repainted in a non-standard colour, matching may require additional colour information.

Best Way To Order The Right Car Paint

1. Enter your registration number.
2. Confirm the vehicle make, model and year.
3. Confirm the exact paint code or manufacturer colour where needed.
4. Choose a touch-up pen, bottle or aerosol based on the repair size.
5. Prepare the area correctly before applying paint.

Common Mistakes When Finding Your Car Colour

• Choosing paint from the colour shown on a phone or computer screen
• Guessing between two similar manufacturer shades
• Using the basic V5C colour instead of the exact paint code
• Ignoring metallic, pearl or three-stage finishes
• Ordering from a photograph without confirming the vehicle information

FAQs: What Colour Is My Car?

Can I find my car colour by registration?

Yes, a registration can often identify the vehicle information needed to find the correct colour. Some vehicles still require the paint code or VIN information to confirm the exact formula.

Can I find my paint code from my registration?

Sometimes. Registration data can narrow down the vehicle and colour, but paint-code availability varies by manufacturer. If the exact code is not available from the registration, check the vehicle label or manufacturer information.

Is the colour on my logbook the paint code?

No. A logbook usually records a broad colour such as blue, black, silver or white. A paint code is much more specific and identifies the manufacturer's exact formula.

Where is the paint code on my car?

It is commonly found on a sticker or plate in the door shut, under the bonnet, in the boot or within manufacturer vehicle information.

Can I match car paint from a photo?

A photo is not reliable enough for an exact match because lighting, camera processing and screen settings change how the colour appears.

Why are there different shades for the same paint code?

Factory batches, production changes, age, fading and previous repairs can create shade variants even when the base paint code is the same.

Which product should I use for a stone chip?

A touch-up pen is usually the easiest choice for small stone chips and tiny marks. A bottle suits slightly larger small repairs, while aerosol paint is better for broader damaged areas.