What Paint Code Is My Car? Find Your Car Paint Code by Reg

What paint code is my car? Your car’s paint code is the manufacturer’s reference for its factory colour. The quickest place to start is with your UK registration number: enter your reg, check the vehicle details and, where a lookup is available, unlock the paint code for £1. You can still order touch-up paint without purchasing the optional code reveal.

Important: A number plate does not contain a paint code itself. It helps us identify the vehicle so we can check for an associated manufacturer reference. Not every registration will return a code, and a factory code cannot guarantee an invisible match on faded or previously repaired paint.

How do I find my car paint code by reg?

1. Enter your UK registration. Open the Scratch Repair vehicle checker and type in your number plate.
2. Check the vehicle details. Review the make, model, year and colour information shown, where available. If the details are wrong or incomplete, confirm them before proceeding.
3. Choose whether to unlock the code. If a paint-code lookup is available for your car, you can pay £1 to reveal the manufacturer reference. Alternatively, continue to choose touch-up paint without buying the reveal.

Check my reg & find my paint code →

Is my paint code the same as my car colour, reg or VIN?

No. These details serve different purposes. A colour such as “red” or “silver” covers many different shades; a paint code identifies a more specific manufacturer finish.

For example, two cars described simply as “grey” may use different factory paints. Metallic, pearl and three-stage finishes may also need the correct additional products and application method. Read our guide to pearlescent paint if yours has a pearl effect.

Where is my car paint code if the registration lookup cannot find it?

Paint-code labels and plates vary by manufacturer and model. Check these common locations:

• Driver’s door shut or door pillar: look for a vehicle information label.
• Under the bonnet: inspect the vehicle identification plates or labels.
• Boot or spare-wheel area: some vehicles carry paint information here.
• Service records: a vehicle data sticker or manufacturer record may identify the finish.

If you still cannot find it, a manufacturer dealer or paint specialist may be able to check the original specification using your VIN. Do not assume that every number on a sticker is the paint code. Check the label’s wording and ask for help if uncertain.

Can I find my paint code on the V5C logbook?

The V5C generally gives a broad vehicle colour, such as black, blue or silver, rather than the precise manufacturer paint reference required for mixing. Your original paint code may also no longer match if a panel has been resprayed.

What should I do after finding my paint code?

Confirm that the vehicle details and code match your car before ordering. For small stone chips and fine scratches, a touch-up pen or brush bottle may suit the repair; for larger prepared areas, an aerosol may be appropriate. Some paints also require primer, lacquer or an additional pearl layer. Our touch-up paint guide explains how to choose a repair format. For a detailed explanation of using a registration as a starting point, see our paint-code-by-registration guide.

Matching tip: the factory code is a starting specification, not a guarantee of an invisible repair. Ageing, previous resprays, paint variants and application technique can change the visible result. If colour accuracy is critical, check a test spray or sample before repairing a conspicuous panel.

Car paint code FAQs

What paint code is my car?

It is the manufacturer reference for your car’s original paint. Enter your UK registration in our checker to identify the vehicle and access the optional £1 code reveal where available.

What is the paint code for my car if I only know the registration?

Your registration is a starting point, not the code itself. Check the returned vehicle details and unlock the manufacturer reference if a lookup is available; otherwise check the vehicle label or ask a dealer to research the VIN.

Is finding my car paint code by registration free?

Entering your reg to start the vehicle check is separate from our optional £1 code reveal. You do not need to purchase the reveal to choose paint.

What if my car’s paint code is not available online?

Check the manufacturer sticker, service records or ask a dealer or paint specialist about a VIN-based lookup. If the vehicle has been resprayed, the original code may not describe its current paint.

Does a correct paint code guarantee a perfect match?

No. It identifies a factory specification, but fading, variants, previous repairs and application affect the final appearance.