How to Check the Last Six Digits of a Car's Engine Number?
4 Answers
The last six digits of a car's engine number can be directly viewed on the vehicle's registration certificate, purchase invoice, motor vehicle registration certificate, factory certificate, or vehicle purchase tax payment receipt. The first part of the engine number: Includes the product series code, generation symbol, and regional or enterprise code, which are selected by the manufacturer as needed using corresponding letters, but must be approved and filed by the industry standard standardization unit. The middle part of the engine number: Consists of the cylinder count symbol, cylinder arrangement symbol, stroke symbol, and cylinder diameter symbol. The last part of the engine number: Distinguishing symbol. When differentiation is needed for the same product series due to improvements or other reasons, the manufacturer selects an appropriate symbol, which can be separated from the preceding part by a "-".
I usually park the car in a safe location and wait for the engine to cool down for half an hour before proceeding. Open the hood and look for a set of engraved numbers and letters on the side of the engine block—that's the engine number. Use a flashlight to illuminate the area, and if necessary, wipe off any oil or dust with a damp cloth. Copy down the entire number, but only the last six digits need to be recorded. The last time I did this, it took some time because the location can be hidden on certain models, requiring you to bend down and inspect carefully. Good lighting is key, as the small characters can be hard to read, and be careful not to touch hot components to avoid burns. If the number is unclear, a magnifying lens might help, or consider visiting a 4S shop for verification.
The method to check the last six digits of the engine number is quite simple: First, turn off the engine and wait for it to cool down. Open the hood and look for a metal or plastic plate near the engine with an engraved number sequence. Wipe off any surface dust, use your phone's flashlight to clearly see the entire sequence. Then, write down the full number and extract the last six digits starting from the right, making sure to save it properly. I usually do it myself, but with new cars, the location might differ—often at the front or side. It's advisable to wear gloves to avoid getting dirty and keep a notepad handy to jot it down. Some cars may have heavy grime, requiring cleaning first, and poor lighting can significantly affect visibility.
Based on experience, I would first let the car sit and cool for at least ten minutes. Locate the engine position, open the hood, and look for the engraved number area, usually on the cylinder block. Clean off any oil stains and carefully read the number sequence. After copying the entire sequence, focus on recording the last six digits. If the location is deep and hard to see, consider getting assistance or trying another day to avoid burns.
