Find your engine code: where it is and why it matters

To find the engine code, look in two places: on a label or plate inside the vehicle (on VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat, for example, the vehicle data sticker in the service book or in the spare wheel well) and stamped into the engine block itself. When you buy a replacement engine, this code matters more than the make, model or power output. The same applies to the gearbox code when you replace a gearbox.

Why the engine code matters more than model and power

Most car models are offered with several different engines over their production run, often with the same displacement and the same power output. Two cars listed as "2.0 TDI, 110 kW" can therefore have different engines. The differences are usually in the details:

• Emission standard and exhaust aftertreatment
• Injection system, ancillaries and attached components
• Connections for the wiring loom, cooling system and intake
• Engine mounts, sump and installation position
• Calibration to the engine control unit

The engine code sums all of this up in one unambiguous designation. If the code on the replacement engine matches the code on your old engine, the two are identical in design. If it differs, the engine may still fit, but that has to be checked case by case. This is exactly where expensive mistakes happen, for instance when connections don't line up after fitting or the control unit won't cooperate.

Gearboxes work the same way. "Automatic" or "DSG" can mean very different units depending on the car. In the VW Group, for example, it could be a DQ200 or a DQ250, each with its own gearbox codes. Our guide on faulty DSG gearboxes explains more.

How to find the engine code on your make

Where the code sits depends on the manufacturer. The table covers the makes we stock most often:

With makes such as Vauxhall/Opel, Ford, Renault or Peugeot, the exact location varies with the engine and model year. One point applies to every make: the registration document does not always show the engine code, so don't rely on the paperwork alone.

Engine code, engine number and gearbox code: what's the difference?

These terms are often mixed up, but the difference matters when you buy:

• Engine code (engine type code, called Motorkennbuchstaben in German): identifies the engine type, e.g. CFFB. Engines with the same code are, as a rule, identical in design.
• Engine number: the individual serial number of that one engine. It identifies your unit, but on its own it doesn't tell you which replacement fits. On Mercedes-Benz, the stamped number starts with the type designation (e.g. 651.921), and that part is what you search for.
• Gearbox code (transmission code): identifies the gearbox type, e.g. LHD on VW, 722.906 on Mercedes-Benz or GA8HP50Z on BMW.

It's worth noting down both codes, engine and gearbox, while you're at the vehicle. A photo on your phone is enough. That way you have the details to hand when you compare offers or give us a call.

Using the VIN to identify the code

If you can't find a sticker or plate, the vehicle identification number (VIN, or chassis number) helps. It has 17 characters, appears in the registration document and is often visible at the bottom of the windscreen. A main dealer or parts supplier can use the VIN to look up which engine and gearbox were fitted at the factory.

Keep in mind that the VIN reflects the car as it left the factory. If the engine or gearbox has been replaced at some point, the code actually fitted may be different. Where possible, compare the result with the code on the unit itself.

What to do if the code is unreadable

Dirt, oil and corrosion make stamped codes hard to read over the years. Try this:

1. Clean the area carefully with the engine cold, for example with brake cleaner and a cloth.
2. Shine a torch across the surface at a shallow angle. Stamped characters often become visible again.
3. Take a photo and zoom in. That's usually easier than reading directly in a cramped engine bay.
4. Check stickers and paperwork: the data sticker, service book and invoices from earlier workshop visits often list the code.
5. If it's still unclear, have a dealer look it up using the VIN.

Searching motoren-dejong.de by code or OE number

Once you have the code, simply type it into the search bar at the top of our site. The search finds engine codes, gearbox codes and OE numbers. For example, a search for CFFB shows every listing with that engine code. Before you order, check the following:

• Compare the code on your old engine or gearbox with the code in the item description. Only a matching code means an identical unit.
• Check the condition (new, used or remanufactured) shown on every item. Our guide to used, remanufactured or new engines helps you choose.
• Remember the core deposit: you get it back when you return your old, identical and complete unit. The right code matters here too.
• If in doubt, call us before you order.

Need help matching the code?

Found a code but not sure it matches the listing? Or can't find a code at all? Call us on +49 4950 93890 (Mon–Fri 8:30–12:30 and 13:30–17:30) or email info@motoren-dejong.de. Ideally, have your VIN and a photo of the code ready. You'll find replacement units in our engines and gearboxes categories.