How to Find the Engine Number of a Car?
2 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 includes the engine number; for commercial vehicles, the operation permit can be used to check the engine number; the vehicle purchase tax payment certificate contains the engine number; the public security authority's registration records have the engine number; the vehicle insurance card lists the engine number; 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 stores very important information about the vehicle. The engine model is an identification code assigned by the engine manufacturer in accordance with relevant regulations, corporate or industry practices, and the attributes of the engine, for a batch of identical products. It indicates information such as the manufacturer, specifications, performance, features, technology, purpose, and batch of the engine, including fuel type, number of cylinders, displacement, and static braking power, etc. Engines installed in passenger cars or multi-purpose passenger vehicles are required to display the professional manufacturer, model, and production number of the engine. It is 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 range, and engine models can be the same. The engine number, however, refers to the production number of the engine, with each engine having a unique number that is different from all others. Composition of the vehicle engine number: Front part: Includes product series code, generation symbol, and regional or corporate code, which are selected by the manufacturer as needed and must be approved and filed by the industry standard's regulatory body. Middle part: Consists of the cylinder count symbol, cylinder arrangement symbol, stroke symbol, and cylinder diameter symbol. Rear part: Composed of structural feature symbols and usage feature symbols. Tail part: Distinguishing symbol. When differentiation is needed within the same product series due to improvements or other reasons, the manufacturer selects an appropriate symbol. The rear part and the tail part can be separated by a hyphen (-).
I remember last time helping a friend locate the engine number. After opening the engine hood, we found the number is usually engraved on a metal plate at the front of the engine cylinder head or block. The exact location varies by model—for example, in sedans it might be on the right side of the engine near the radiator, while SUVs may have it positioned closer to the lower chassis. Always prioritize safety: wait for the engine to cool before handling to avoid burns or scratches. If the plate on older cars is obscured by dust, wiping it with a damp cloth or using a flashlight can reveal the digits. If you can't find it, the vehicle's registration certificate or owner's manual will have the record, and some apps like vehicle management tools can also provide quick queries. Familiarizing yourself with its location beforehand saves hassle during routine maintenance or ownership transfers.
