The short version
Why your engine code matters
When you need a replacement engine, the make, model and year of your vehicle are not enough on their own. The same model in the same year was often sold with more than one engine, and each has its own engine code. That short code, for example DW10 on a Peugeot or CXGA on a Volkswagen Transporter, is what tells us the exact engine your vehicle needs. Order by model alone and you risk buying the wrong unit.
The good news is that finding your engine code is straightforward. Below are four reliable ways to find it, starting with the documents you already have and ending with the quickest method of all: a free registration lookup.
Why does the same model have different engines?
It surprises a lot of people, but a single model, say a Volkswagen Transporter of a given year, might have been sold with several different engines. Manufacturers offer a range of power outputs and specifications, update engines partway through a model's life, and share engine families across different brands. Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall, for example, use a number of the same diesel engines.
That is exactly why the engine code exists, and why it beats ordering by model and year alone. Get the code right and the correct engine follows. This is also why we always confirm your engine against your registration or VIN before an order goes through.
4 ways to find your engine code
Check your V5C logbook
Your V5C registration certificate is the easiest place to start. The engine number, which usually includes or matches the engine code, is recorded in section 4 under the vehicle details. Note the code exactly as it appears, including any letters and numbers. If your logbook lists a longer engine number rather than a short code, send it to us with your registration and we will identify the correct engine for you.
Look for the code stamped on the engine
Every engine has its code stamped or cast directly onto the block. It is often found on a flat machined surface near where the engine meets the gearbox, on the front of the block, or on a label on the cam cover. You may need to wipe away dirt to read it clearly. Locations vary between manufacturers, so if you cannot see it straight away, one of the other methods here will usually be quicker.
Decode the VIN
Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a 17-character code found at the base of the windscreen, on the driver's door pillar, and in your V5C. On many vehicles the VIN encodes the engine type, so it can confirm the correct engine even when the code itself is hard to find. It is particularly useful when a model was offered with several engine options, because it ties the record to your specific vehicle. If the code stamped on your block is worn or unreadable, the VIN is often the most reliable fallback.
Use our free registration lookup (fastest)
The quickest method needs nothing more than your number plate. Enter your registration into the free lookup on our homepage and we will match your vehicle to the correct engine automatically, with no logbook hunting or crawling under the bonnet. It takes seconds and removes the guesswork.
Skip the guesswork. Match your vehicle to the right engine in seconds.
Check your registrationCommon engine codes by make
To give you a sense of what an engine code looks like, here are examples across some of the makes we stock. Yours will be a short combination like these:
- Volkswagen (Transporter, Crafter, Amarok): CXGA, CXHA, DAU, DAV, CKTC. Browse Volkswagen engines.
- Peugeot and Citroen (shared engines): DW10, DV5. Browse Peugeot and Citroen engines.
- Vauxhall: often shares engine families with Peugeot and Citroen. Browse Vauxhall engines.
- Renault and Fiat: browse Renault and Fiat engines.
Cannot see your exact engine listed? We add new stock regularly and can often source it, so get in touch.
What to do once you have your code
Once you have your engine code, confirm it against your registration or VIN, then find the matching engine in the collection for your make. If you would rather we did the matching for you, send us your reg and code and we will confirm the correct unit, along with price and availability, before you commit to anything. Every reconditioned engine comes with a warranty as standard, and you can read how our engines are rebuilt on our reconditioning page.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the engine code on my V5C?
The engine number, which usually matches or includes the engine code, is listed in section 4 of your V5C logbook under the vehicle details.
What does an engine code look like?
It is a short combination of letters and numbers, such as DW10, DV5 or CXGA. It is not the same as your registration number or your VIN.
Can I find my engine from just my number plate?
Yes. Enter your registration into the lookup tool on our homepage and we will match your vehicle to the correct engine. It is the fastest way to be sure you order the right unit.
Is the engine code the same as the VIN?
No. The VIN is a 17-character number that identifies your whole vehicle, while the engine code is a shorter code that identifies the engine type specifically. On many vehicles the VIN can be used to confirm the engine, but they are not the same thing.
My exact engine is not listed. Can you still help?
Yes. We add stock regularly and can often source engines that are not shown. Send us your registration and engine code and we will let you know.