Where to Check the Car Engine Number?
3 Answers
The engine number can be found on the outer surface of the engine block, on the vehicle's nameplate, or the engine compartment nameplate. It can also be checked on the car purchase invoice, the factory certificate (which includes the engine number), the operation permit for commercial vehicles, the vehicle purchase tax payment certificate, the registration records at the public security authority, or the vehicle insurance card. The simplest and most direct method is to check the vehicle's administrative green book or the vehicle registration certificate. 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. It represents information such as the manufacturer, specifications, performance, features, technology, purpose, and batch of the engine, including fuel type, number of cylinders, displacement, and static brake power. Engines installed in passenger cars or multi-purpose vehicles are 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 range, and multiple engines can share the same model. The engine number, however, is the production number of the engine, unique to each individual engine. Composition of the car engine number: Front part: Includes the product series code, generation symbol, and regional or corporate code, which are selected by the manufacturer as needed but 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 within the same series due to improvements or other reasons, the manufacturer selects an appropriate symbol. The rear and tail parts can be separated by a hyphen (-).
I've been driving for over twenty years, and engine numbers are quite common. Usually, you can find it on the engine block itself after opening the hood, where there's a metal plate or an engraved number area, typically a combination of letters and numbers, like an ID card. When buying a car, the 4S store will note it in your manual, and the first page of the owner's manual often has a vehicle information section. Also, it's printed on the vehicle registration certificate or driving license. When buying a used car, always verify this to prevent the engine from being swapped out. Every time I service my car, I casually wipe the plate—dust buildup over time can make it hard to read. Safety reminder: Don't touch the engine when it's hot; wait for a cold day to operate, and wear gloves to avoid scratches. Related to this, the number is used for insurance claims or repair registration. I know a friend who recovered his cheated car thanks to this, so I suggest you take a photo and save it on your phone as a backup.
As an average car owner, let me briefly explain how to check the engine number. Simply open the front hood, and you'll find the number on a metal plate located on the side or top of the engine block. The exact position varies slightly by model - some vehicles hide it beneath piping. It's also recorded in your owner's manual or purchase contract; my dealer showed me the registration documents when I bought the car. This number helps identify the engine type, which is crucial for ordering correct replacement parts. Pro tip: During used car transactions, always verify it matches the VIN - I learned this the hard way after getting scammed. While you rarely need to check it, knowing its location helps expedite repairs. Keeping the engine bay clean prevents oil stains from obscuring the digits, a practical trick that's worked well for me.
