Mitsubishi vehicles can be identified from the following numbers:
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Enquiries about engine numbers and gearbox numbers can only be made through the above-mentioned Mitsubishi Europe headquarters in the Netherlands. It requires a lot of effort, but the Mitsubishi VIN Number can be identified there using these numbers.
Mitsubishi-Motors in Germany can only work out the VIN from the engine number (and vice-versa).
Mitsubishi VIN Number
Mitsubishi VIN Number Location
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AOn the engine compartment bulkhead (partly hidden behind a plastic covering) |
BIn the right rear wheel housing, on the frame
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CIn front of the front passenger’s seat (slide the seat back to the rear and lift up the carpet flap)
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DBehind the right side cladding in the boot
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EVisible VIN
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Visible VIN:Older vehicles until approx. 2008 are equipped with a visible VIN. The Visible Mitsubishi VIN Number is found on a stamped plate which can be seen beneath the front windscreen on the driver’s side. This is not a substitute for the Mitsubishi VIN Number stamped onto the metalwork.
Newer vehicles for the European market show no more visible number!
Mitsubishi VIN Lettering
The Mitsubishi VIN numbers are stamped or etched on in a straight line. The VIN on all models always has a special symbol at both ends (the Mitsubishi logo, a diamond or a star) . Each model may have a different symbol, but the symbols on the Mitsubishi VIN Number are always the same. All characters on a VIN are the same size and the same distance apart.
Some examples of Mitsubishi VIN numbers:
Colt |
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Colt CZC Cabrio |
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Lancer (until 2007) |
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Lancer (from 2008) |
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Space Star |
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Space Star (from MY 2013) |
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Carisma |
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Galant |
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Grandis |
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Eclipse |
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Pajero Pinin |
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Pajero |
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Pajero Sport |
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Pajero new, from 2007 |
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Outlander until 2006 |
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Outlander from 2007 |
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Outlander from 2007 (plant in NL), VIN covered with protective foil |
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Outlander and PHEV from 2013 |
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L 200 old |
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ASX from 2010 |
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i-MiEV |
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Example for abbreviated Mitsubishi VIN
In vehciles destined for the USA market and some, further countries the 17-digit VIN (different composition) can be read on the typ plate and as a visible VIN. However, some manufactures, particulary Japanese manufactures, so also Mitsubishi, placed the Mitsubishi VIN number only in shortened form into the metal.
Pajeero (V7) stamped short-VIN (for the japanese market)
The abbreviated VIN in the example shows the model designation “V7”, the engine type “8” and the vehicle type “W” as well as behind the hyphen a filling zero and the serial number.
Mitsubishi Factory Plate
Mitsubishi Factory Plate Location
The Mitsubishi factory plate is normally in the engine compartment, riveted onto the front facing of the bulkhead, in most cases near the Mitsubishi VIN number
Exceptions: On the Mitsubishi Grandis factory plate is riveted onto the cross member on the right headlight.
On the 2005 version of the Colt, the Colt CZC and Outlander, the Mitsubishi Factory Plate Location (a sticker) is located on the lower part of the B-pillar, on the front passenger’s side.
From 2006 the factory plate on the L 200 has been located on the outer face of the scuttle panel in the engine compartment.
Composition and appearance of the Mitsubishi Factory Plate
The Composition and appearance of the Mitsubishi Factory Plate varies depending on which country or works they were produced in and according to the different models.
Metal type plates are riveted onto the bodywork at both ends. The type of rivets used can vary according to which works affixed the plate.

(The Born / Netherlands works)

(The Laemchabang / Thailand works)

(The Laemchabang / Thailand works)

(Mizushima Motor Vehicle Works)

(IPF, Bajro Plant Pininfarina Factory)

(Plant of Nagoya Motor Vehicle Works)
Mitsubishi Factory Plate Stickers
models ( the Colt , CZC) have a type plate sticker. This new type plate already contains the information contained in the model code plates, that vehicles with this kind of type plate no longer need to have an extra model code plate.


Mitsubishi Model Code Plate
Mitsubishi Model code plates contain information about a vehicle. The plate is fixed on with rivets.
On some newer vehicles this information is contained on the type plate stickers. these vehicles do not have a Mitsubishi model code plate.
The information on the Mitsubishi model code sign if leave merely conclusions on the model, the motorisation, color and equipment to. A conclusion on a concrete vehicle (on Vehicle identification number) is not possible.
Example: A type plate containing the information normally shown on a model code plate
Location of the Mitsubishi model code plate
Mitsubishi Model code plates are found in differing locations on different models.




What the model code plate looks like and what information it contains
The appearance of a Mitsubishi model code plate varies depending on the country and works in which it was produced. There is n model code plate on the Colt, as it is part of the type plate.
Examples:
Example of the Mitsubishi model code plate decoder (there are variations from this scheme on the L 200)
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Mitsubishi model codes Decoder
All models except the L200 and Pajjero Classic (V2/V4):
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Between the code for the particular characteristics of the engine (7) and the type of steering (8), some models also have a code for the kind of drive (e.g. ‘Z’ = 4WD on the Outlander until 2006) or for exhaust gas scrubbing (e.g. ‘Q’ = Catalytic converter on the Galant). If these models do not have this peculiarity, then the breakdown follows the pattern outlined above. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The old version L 200: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The new L 200 (from 2006): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Pajero Classic (V2/V4): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1 | = | Model designation (see breakdown of the VIN) |
2 | = | Engine type (see breakdown of the VIN) |
3 | = | Vehicle type (see breakdown of the VIN) |
4 | = | Type of car body |
5 | = | Transmission type |
6 | = | Level of fittings/ price range H: Vehicles for Europe (5-seats) |
7 | = | Engine type |
8 | = | Drive system Z: 4WD |
9 | = | Steering (L= LHD; R = RHD) |
10 | = | Country of destination (6 = vehicles for Europe) |
Mitsubishi Engine Number
Mitsubishi Engine Number Location
The Mitsubishi engine number is normally stamped onto the cylinder block. The position can vary depending on the type of engine. The images show only some of the engines available.

134 and 135 (3A91 / 4A90 / 4A91)
from the engine plant at Kölleda, Germany



















Appearance of the Mitsubishi Engine Number
The Mitsubishi engine number is stamped punched onto a smooth spot the engine block, more recently on some engines it can be needle punched (e.g., the 134/135, the FQ9 , the OM639). and some engines the positioning of the Mitsubishi engine number makes it very difficult to read.
Examples:











OM639 (Mercedes) engine for the Colt

Mitsubishi Engine number sticker


The additional number MD338959 (see image) is merely a parts number. These normally begin with the letter ‘M’. This number cannot be used for identifying a vehicle.

The additional engine specifications shown on the sticker cannot be used for identification purposes.

Mitsubishi Engine Number Decoder
On engines manufactured by Mitsubishi itself the engine number decoder as follows:
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The breakdown of the Mercedes OM 639 Diesel engines and the 134 and 135 engines made in the Kölleda plant (3A91 / 4A90 / 4A91) corresponds to the breakdown of the corresponding Smart engines (See the Smart file under 3.2).
The breakdown of the BSY engine corresponds to the breakdown of VW engine numbers.
Mitsubishi Gearbox number
Mitsubishi Gearbox number Location
The Mitsubishi gearbox number is stamped onto the bell housing or the gearbox housing. There is often also a sticker on the gearbox.
On Mitsubishi gearboxes produced by the subcontractor Aisin-Warner Ltd the gearbox number is on a metal plate riveted onto the gearbox housing.
Examples showing the location and appearance of the gearbox number:








(The number has a different breakdown)
5.2 Breakdown of the gearbox number
An example using a gearbox produced by Mitsubishi itself:
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The Mitsubishi gearbox number comprises the transmission code (Numbers 1-4) and the serial number (5-7):
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Attribution of gearboxes to individual models
(Table not exhaustive)
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According to the German general importer,mitsubishi is only possible to identify the VIN by means of the gearbox number through the European headquarters.
Mitsubishi Radio Number
Original Mitsubishi radios, CD changers and navigation apparatus have individual numbers. These are put directly onto the housings are present on stickers on the housings.
These individual numbers are not registered at Mitsubishi and cannot be used for identifying a particular VIN number. There are no individual numbers electronically encoded in Mitsubishi radios and navigation apparatus.