How to Check the Vehicle Engine Number?
3 Answers
The engine number is usually found on the outer surface of the engine block, or on the vehicle's nameplate or the nameplate inside the engine compartment. You can also check the engine number on the car purchase invoice, the factory certificate, the operating license for commercial vehicles, the vehicle purchase tax payment certificate, the registration record at the public security authority, or the vehicle insurance card. The simplest and most direct method is to look at the vehicle's administrative green book or the vehicle registration certificate. The engine number is like a person's ID number, representing each vehicle. It contains very important information about the vehicle. The engine model is an identification code assigned by the engine manufacturer according to relevant regulations, corporate or industry practices, and the attributes of the engine. It represents information such as the manufacturer, specifications, performance, features, technology, purpose, and production batch of the engine, including fuel type, number of cylinders, displacement, and static braking power, among others. Engines installed in passenger cars or multi-purpose passenger vehicles must be marked with the professional manufacturer's name, model, and production number as required. It's important to note that the engine number is not the same as the engine model. The engine model refers to the specifications and size of the engine within the manufacturer's product line, and multiple engines can share the same model. The engine number, however, refers to the production number of the engine, with each engine having a unique number. Composition of the vehicle engine number: Front part: Includes the product series code, generation symbol, and regional or corporate code. Manufacturers can choose the appropriate letters as needed, but these must be approved and recorded by the industry standard regulatory body. Middle part: Consists of symbols for the number of cylinders, cylinder arrangement, stroke, and cylinder diameter. Rear part: Composed of symbols for structural features and usage characteristics. Tail part: Distinguishing symbol. When differentiation is needed due to improvements or other reasons within the same product series, manufacturers can choose appropriate symbols. The rear and tail parts can be separated by a hyphen (-).
I don't think finding the engine number is that complicated. The easiest way is to open the hood and look directly. Most cars have the number stamped on the side of the engine block, near the windshield. Sometimes it might be covered by oil stains, but you can wipe it clean with a damp cloth. Some German cars like to hide the number underneath, so you might need to use your phone to take a photo. Last time I helped a friend check his old Accord, and we found a small label next to the VIN under the passenger foot mat. If you really can't find it, the vehicle registration certificate and compulsory insurance policy both have records, or you can go directly to the DMV to check the files. Remember, the engine number is like the car's ID card—it's needed for annual inspections and transfers, so it's best to take a photo and keep it on your phone for backup.
When it comes to checking the engine number, I recommend a three-step approach: First, grab the vehicle license and registration certificate, as they clearly print the information. Second, open the engine compartment and look for the metal engraving on the side of the cylinder block, usually near the radiator. If your hands are covered in grease and you can't see clearly, bring an oil-resistant marker to trace the numbers. Third, if all else fails, many car apps nowadays can scan the VIN to retrieve related information—just a few taps on your phone will do the trick. Last time, my SUV's number was behind the intake manifold, and I had to use a mirror to see it. The location varies significantly across different models; Japanese cars tend to engrave it in obvious spots, while American pickups often hide it near the exhaust manifold. Be careful not to confuse the engine number with the VIN, as inspectors will carefully verify them with imprint paper during annual inspections.
