Where to Find the Engine Number?
2 Answers
The engine number is generally located on the outer surface of the engine block, on the vehicle's nameplate, or the nameplate inside the engine compartment. You can also find the engine number on the car purchase invoice, the factory certificate of compliance, the operating permit for commercial vehicles, the vehicle purchase tax payment certificate, the registration records with the public security authorities, 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. The engine number is like a person's ID number, representing each vehicle. It contains crucial information about the vehicle. The engine model is an identification code assigned by the engine manufacturer in accordance with relevant regulations, industry practices, or company standards. It represents the manufacturer, specifications, performance, features, production techniques, intended use, and batch information of the engine, such as fuel type, number of cylinders, displacement, and static braking power. Engines installed in passenger cars or multi-purpose vehicles are required to display the manufacturer's name, model, and production number. 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 catalog, and multiple engines can share the same model. The engine number, however, is the unique production number assigned to each individual engine, and no two engines share the same number. Structure of the engine number: Prefix: Includes product series codes, generation symbols, and regional or company codes, which are selected by the manufacturer as needed but must be approved and registered by the relevant industry standardization authority. Middle section: Consists of symbols indicating the number of cylinders, cylinder arrangement, stroke, and bore diameter. Suffix: Comprises symbols indicating structural features and intended use. Tail: Distinguishing symbols. If differentiation is required due to modifications or improvements within the same series, the manufacturer may choose appropriate symbols, with the suffix and tail separated by a hyphen (-).
The last time I needed to check the engine number was for transferring ownership of my car. It was in the afternoon with bright sunlight. I opened the hood and found the engine number engraved on a metal plate on the right side, about the size of a license plate. After cleaning off the dust, the numbers were clearly visible. I also remember when buying a used car, the seller reminded me that if I couldn't find it, I could check the first page of the vehicle registration certificate or the appendix of the insurance policy, as both have complete records. A mechanic friend once mentioned that the location varies by model—European cars often have it at the front of the engine, while Japanese cars might hide it behind soundproofing foam. If you really can't see it, you can visit a repair shop and ask a professional to check underneath the chassis, but doing it yourself is too dangerous. It's recommended to inspect it on a sunny day when parked, as it's both convenient and safe.
