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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Rear End – On some Ford trucks, the factory plate may be located on the rear end housing, typically on the driver’s side.
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
Driver’s door entry (B-spar)
below the precise hinge of the bonnet
Front voyager’s edge entry (B-spar)
Composition and appearance of the Ford factory plate
(Printed!!! No laser engraving)
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.
| 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
Assembly of the style plates (old)
Example:
| T | A | S |
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 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 |
| Estate | Windows 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
Example
| F | D | E | 6 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
