Ford Factory Plate

Ford Factory Plate

The Ford factory plate, also known as a VIN plate or a vehicle identification plate, is a metal plate affixed to the vehicle’s body that contains important information about the car’s assembly and options. The plate typically includes the vehicle’s model, engine type, transmission, assembly plant location, and production sequence number.

Where to Find the Ford Factory Plate

The location of the Ford factory plate can vary depending on the year and model of the vehicle. However, there are a few common locations where you can typically find the factory plate:

  1. Driver’s Side Door Jamb – On most Ford vehicles, the factory plate is located on the driver’s side door jamb. It’s usually affixed to the pillar that the door latches onto when closed.
  2. Firewall – In some cases, the factory plate may be located on the vehicle’s firewall. The firewall is the metal barrier between the engine compartment and the passenger compartment.
  3. Rear End – On some Ford trucks, the factory plate may be located on the rear end housing, typically on the driver’s side.
plate Ka (from 2008) / Kuga / Fiesta (from 2002- mid 2005 and from 2008)/ Mondeo (from 2002) / Mondeo(from 2007-)/ Street-KA / Focus 2. Generation / Focus C-Max / Focus (from 12/2007)/ Galaxy (from 2006)/ S-Max
Vehicles Ka (from 2008) / Kuga /
Fiesta (from 2002- mid 2005 and from 2008)/ Mondeo (from 2002) / Mondeo(from 2007-)/ Street-KA / Focus 2. Generation / Focus C-Max / Focus (from 12/2007)/ Galaxy (from 2006)/ S-Max
plate Mondeo
Mondeo (until 2002)/ Focus
plate Fusion + Fiesta(from end of 2005)
Fusion + Fiesta(from end of 2005)
plate Galaxy (until 2002) and Windstar
Galaxy (until 2002) and Windstar
Driver’s door entry (B-spar)
plate Galaxy (2003 - 2006)
Galaxy (2003 – 2006)
below the precise hinge of the bonnet
plate COUGAR / PUMA / FIESTA (until 2002)/ KA(until 2008)
COUGAR / PUMA / FIESTA (until 2002)/ KA(until 2008)
PLATE Explorer
Plates make Explorer
PLATE Ranger
Ranger
plate Transit / Tourneo / Maverick (until MY 2004)
Transit / Tourneo / Maverick (until MY 2004)
Front voyager’s edge entry (B-spar)
plate Maverick (MY 2005)
 Maverick (from MY 2005) Facing edge of the driver’s door
plate Mustang (MY 2005)
Mustang’s (MY 2005) Driver’s edge entry

Composition and appearance of the Ford factory plate

appearance of the type plate for ford
All old models and KA (-2008) / FOCUS / RANGER
appearance of the type plate for ford FOCUS C-Max / Kuga / Fiesta
Assembly FOCUS C-Max / Kuga / Fiesta (2008-)
appearance of the type plate for ford KA
Ka(from 2008)
appearance of the type plate for ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta(from 2002-mid 2005)/ Fusion / Mondeo (from 2002)
appearance of the type plate for ford Street-KA
Identification Street-KA
(Printed!!! No laser engraving)
PLATE Mondeo
Identification Mondeo part (from 2007-)
appearance of the type plate for ford Focus
Digit manufacturer Focus (from 12/2007-)
Plate Explorer
Explorer , Windstar
appearance of the type plate for ford Mustang
Mustang’s part (MY 2005)

With the Ford Galaxy a modern type plates manufacturer(identification plates) was introduced, in the form of a sticker.
The sticker is white and consists of a metal foil.
Any attempt to remove this foil destroys it.

appearance of the type plate for ford Galaxy
 Ford Galaxy (until 2000)
appearance of the type plate for ford Galaxy
Ford Galaxy Car (2001 – 2006)
PLATE Ford Galaxy / S-Max (2006 -)
Vehicle Ford Galaxy / S-Max (2006 -)
appearance of the type plate for Ford Ranger
Ford Ranger
appearance of the type plate for Ford Fiesta
 Fiesta (from end of 2005)
Description of the type plates Ford
Description of the type plates :
A=EU authorisation number
B=Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
C=Maximum authorised weight
D=Authorised towing weight (vehicle and trailer)
E=Authorised axle load, anterior axle
F=Authorised axle load, back axle
G=Vehicle type/Design
H=Various fields referring to steering, engine code, paint etc .. It is not possible to give exact details because there are wide variations between models and model years.

Model designations passenger cars

The following ABE [Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis –general road circulation certificate] numbers are allocated to the model designation codes:
The model designation code (three letters) is located on the bottom edge of the plates.
The ABE number is only present on the style plates until the introduction of the Euro number).

Ford Transit factory plates location

Transit (old): On the access step on the anterior voyager edge

identification plate Ford Transit
Transit (modern): Anterior voyager’s edge entry – B-spar

Assembly of the style plates (old)

Decoder of the model designation

Example:

TAS
123
1  =  Model code
   
T=Transit
E=Transit (from 08/1992)
   
2 =  Body (until August 1992)
   
A=Panel van
B=Bus (M1)
C=Bus (M2)
D=Estate (N1)
E=Estate (M1)
F=Estate (M2)
G=Estate (N1 + “D”, “CH”)
H=Chassis with cab ( – “D”,”F”)
J=// with double taxicab ( – “D”, “F”)
K=// with windscreen
L=// with minicab and flatbed
M=Bodywork with double cab and flatbed
N=Fire vehicle
P=Substructure with van body, ambulance edition
R=Bodywork with taxicab, ambulance edition
S=// with minicab, camper van edition
T=// with taxicab and flatbed, single taxicab (+ “D”, “F”)
U=// with double taxicab and flatbed, double taxicab (+ “D”, “F”)
V=// with scuttle panel
W=Van and Estate M1
X=Estate N2
Y=Body with SVO minicab
   
2 = Body (from August 1992)
   
A=Panel van
B=Bus (M1)
C=Bus (M2)
D=Estate (M1 up to 2,8 t)
E=Estate (M2)
F=EstateEstate (N1)
G=Estate (M1 over 2,8 t)
K=Chassis with taxicab and flatbed
L=// with double taxicab and flatbed
M=// with single taxicab
N=// with Double taxicab
P=// with SVE taxicab
R=// with van underbody
S=Panel van and Estate (M1)
T=Body with windscreen
U=Panel van (M1)
V=// with SVE double minicab
   
Remark:
   
M1=Vehicle with up to nine seats for passenger (Car/Minibus)
M2=Vehicle with more than nine seats (Bus) for voyagers
N1=Lorry (Delivery van or taxi with chassis) up to 3.5t
N2=Lorry (Delivery van or taxi with body) over 3.5 t
M1/Estate=Lower specification commuter/load carrying vehicle (Minibus/Truck)
N1/Estate=Load carrying vehicle with full windows on both sides, without rear seats
Panel van/=Load carrying vehicle with a second row of seating and additional
EstateWindows on both sides
NB.=SVO models, like Exekutive and Euroline, are higher specification buses
   
3 = Wheelbase
   
A=2,835 mm 4×4 changed body
B=3570 mm 4×4 changed body
E=3472 mm (-8/92) 3570 mm E F (8/92 – )
L=3,020 mm (-8/92) 3,570 mm (8/92 -)
S=2815 mm (-8/92) 2835 mm (8/92 -)

Composition of the type plates Transit 2006

Composition of the type plate Transit 2006
Breakdown Model

Example

FDE6
1234

1  =  Vehicle code  
F=Transit 2000   
2  =  Construction of the vehicle
A=Van (N1/N2)
B=Passenger vehicle – Bus (M2)
C=Bus (M2)
D=Passenger vehicle-Kombi (M1)
M=Single cab – chassis (N1/N2)
N=Double cab- chassis (N1/N2)
S=Passenger vehicle-Kombi/Van (M1)
Z=Passenger vehicle – estate Spezial (M1)   
3 = Wheel/Drive   
A=Short Rear-wheel drive
B=Middle Rear-wheel drive
C=Long Rear-wheel drive
D=Long Rear-wheel drive-Extended frame
E=Short Front-wheel drive
F=Middle Front-wheel drive
G=Long Front-wheel drive
H=Long Front-wheel drive-Extended frame   
4= Model year   
6=MY 2006
7=MY 2007
8=MY 2008
9=MY 2009
A=MY 2010

Why is the Ford Factory Plate Important?

There are several reasons why the Ford factory plate is an important piece of information to have when purchasing a Ford vehicle.

  1. Authenticity – The factory plate provides important information about the vehicle’s assembly, confirming whether it’s an authentic Ford vehicle. The plate will list the assembly plant location, production sequence number, and other details that can help confirm the vehicle’s authenticity.
  2. Options – The factory plate also provides information about the options that were installed on the vehicle at the time of assembly. This information can be helpful when determining the value of the vehicle, as certain options may increase the vehicle’s worth.
  3. Maintenance – The factory plate can also be helpful when performing maintenance on the vehicle. It can provide information about the engine type, transmission, and other important details that can be useful when ordering replacement parts.