The MINI Cooper is an iconic car that has been popular for decades. One of the essential components of the MINI Cooper is the factory plate. This plate contains important information about the car’s manufacturing process, and it is essential to understand its significance. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the MINI Cooper factory plate, its purpose, and why it’s important.
What is the MINI Factory Plate?
The MINI factory plate is a metal or plastic plate that is affixed to the car’s body or chassis. This plate contains vital information about the car’s manufacturing process, including the Mini VIN number, model code, engine type, transmission type, and other relevant information. This information is critical for identifying and verifying the car’s authenticity, especially for maintenance or repair purposes.
Mini Factory Plate Location
The MINI factory plate is typically located in several places on the car. Here are the steps you can follow to find the factory plate:
- Look under the hood: Open the hood of your MINI Cooper and look at the firewall. The factory plate is usually located on the driver’s side, near the hood hinge.
- Check the driver’s side door jamb: Open the driver’s side door and look at the door jamb. The factory plate may be located there, usually on the door sill.
- Look at the driver’s side dashboard: The factory plate may be located on the driver’s side dashboard, near the windshield. It can be on the left or right side of the dashboard.
- Check the owner’s manual: If you cannot locate the factory plate on your MINI Cooper, check the owner’s manual. It may have information on where the factory plate is located on your specific model.
- Contact a dealership: If you are still unable to locate the factory plate, contact a MINI Cooper dealership. They may be able to provide you with information on where the factory plate is located on your specific model.
| On the outer side of the right wing | |
| Series Model range Location Mini until 2006 R50/52/53 Arrow |  |
| The B-pillar right below the door lock | |
| Series Model range Location Mini from 2006 R 56 Arrow Convertible from 2009 R 57 Arrow Mini 3-doors from 2014 F 56 Arrow Mini 5-doors from 2014 F 56 Arrow |  |
| C-pillar right below the door lock | |
| Series Model range Location Clubman from 2007 R 55 Arrow obviously after open Clubtor |  |
| Right B-pillar below | |
| Series Model range Location Countryman from 08/2010 R 60 Arrow |  |
| B-pillar right above the door lock | |
| Series Model range Location Coupe from 2012 R 58 Arrow Roadster from 2012 R 59 Arrow |  |
| The B-pillar right below the door lock | |
| Series Model range Location Paceman from 01/2013 R 61 Arrow |  |
Form of the Mini Factory Plate
The MINI factory plate can come in several different forms, depending on the model year and where the car was manufactured. However, some common characteristics of the factory plate include:
- Material: The factory plate is typically made of either metal or plastic.
- Size: The size of the factory plate can vary, but it is usually rectangular and measures around 2-3 inches wide by 4-6 inches long.
- Location: The factory plate is typically located in several places on the car, such as the driver’s side door jamb, under the hood, or on the dashboard.
- Information: The factory plate contains essential information about the car’s manufacturing process, including the Mini VIN number, model code, engine type, transmission type, and other relevant information.
- Design: The design of the factory plate can vary depending on the model year and location where the car was manufactured. Some factory plates may have a simple, plain design, while others may have a more intricate design with various symbols or logos.
MINI Countryman
(new layout from the beginning of production 08/2010)
1 = MINI
2 = Color code
3 = Exhaust emission- / Absorption coefficient (only Diesel)
4 = Date of production month/year (optional)
5 = EC Complete type approval number
6 = 17-digit vehicle identification number
7 = Declarations of weight
Mini Factory Plate Structure
The MINI Cooper factory plate typically contains several pieces of essential information about the car’s manufacturing process. Here is an overview of the structure of the factory plate and what information it may contain:
- MINI VIN number: The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a unique 17-digit code that identifies the car’s manufacturer, model, year, and other specific details.
- Model code: The model code identifies the specific MINI Cooper model, such as the Cooper, Cooper S, or John Cooper Works.
- Production date: The production date indicates when the car was manufactured and can be helpful in identifying specific parts or components.
- Engine type: MINI factory plate may include information on the engine type, such as the engine size, fuel type, and horsepower.
- Transmission type: The factory plate may also contain information on the transmission type, such as whether it is a manual or automatic transmission.
- Paint code: The paint code indicates the specific color of the car’s exterior paint.
- Optional equipment: The MINI factory plate may also include information on any optional equipment or packages that were installed on the car during the manufacturing proces
Like Mini sticker plates, the double-layered sticker plate is made with an inbuilt “break-off grain” (made by Schreiner), which should make it impossible to remove the plate without destroying it.
In addition, all other vehicle stickers, such as the fuel sticker, the tyre pressure sticker, colour code strip etc., also have an inbuilt break-off grain.
Factory plate from 03/2013
(Close-up view)
Like BMW sticker plates, the double-layered sticker is installed from March 2013 in all plants. The sticker plate is redesigned with an inbuilt “break-off grain” (made by Schreiner), which should make it impossible to remove the plate without destroying it. The wave lines are replaced by a lozenged pattern. Furthermore the MINI logo as a background printing is on the foil.
In addition, all other vehicle stickers, such as the fuel sticker, color code strip etc., also have an inbuilt break-off grain.
Except the tyre pressure sticker that consists only of a shiny black film without wave lines or background printings.
Structure of the replacement factory plate Mini
Like the installed factory plate, the replacement factory plate is produced from the same double-layered sticker plate, made by Schreiner, from August 2013. It is also equipped with a “break-off grain” in lozenge pattern. There is a black glossy bar as a background printing on the foil instead of the MINI logo.
Mini Body Shell Number
Mini body shell number Location
Composition and Appearance of the Body Shell Number Mini
The Mini body shell number has 8 characters and the BMW symbol normally appears on both sides.
The Mini body shell number used to comprise 8 digits until model year 2003. Letters were introduced in 2003, beginning at the 5th digit. Example with the letter “A” on a MINI body shell number (see image below).
The number is stamped onto the body shell before painting and it is then painted.
