Seat Factory Plate

Seat Factory Plate

If you have ever owned or worked with a SEAT car, you might have noticed a small metal plate affixed to the engine bay or the driver’s door jamb. This plate is known as the Seat Factory Plate and is a vital component that contains critical information about the car. In this article, we will explore the importance of the Seat Factory Plate and the information it contains.

What is a Seat Factory Plate?

A Seat Factory Plate is a metal tag that is attached to the body of a Seat vehicle during the manufacturing process. It contains important information about the vehicle’s specifications, such as the model, year, and engine size. The factory plate is also known as the “build plate,” “data plate,” or “identification plate.”

Seat Factory Plate Locations

The Seat factory plate, also known as the vehicle identification plate, is located in different positions on Seat vehicles, depending on the model and year of production. However, the most common locations for the Seat factory plate are:

Driver’s Side Door Jamb

On most Seat models, the factory plate is located on the driver’s side door jamb. It is usually attached to the door or the body of the car and contains important information about the vehicle, including the model, year, and production plant.

Dashboard

Some Seat models have their factory plate located on the dashboard, near the windshield. It is usually placed on the passenger side of the dashboard and can be easily viewed from outside the car.

Engine Bay

The Seat factory plate can also be found in the engine bay of some models. It is usually attached to the firewall or the inner fender and contains information about the engine type, transmission, and other important details about the car.

Trunk Lid

On some Seat models, the factory plate is located on the inside of the trunk lid. It is usually attached to the back of the lid and can be easily viewed when the trunk is open.

Under the Hood

In some cases, the factory plate can be found under the hood of the car, attached to the inner fender or the firewall. It contains important information about the car, including the model, engine type, and other details.

Vehicles up to MY 1999

On the engine compartment bulkhead, on the right, in the direction of travel – Arrow B —

Seat Factory Plate Locations

Arosa  
Engine compartment bulkhead, on the right, in the direction of travel

Seat Aroza Factory Plate Locations

Ibiza, Cordoba, Leon, Toledo

Left suspension strut dome

Seat Leon Factory Plate Locations

Alhambra

Beneath the right-hand hinge on the bonnet

Seat Alhambra Factory Plate Locations

Altea
Altea Freetrack
Ibiza SC (Sportcoupe) from My 2009

On the inside of the wing, on the left, seen in the direction of travel

Seat Altea Factory Plate Locations

Exeo

On the inside of the wing, on the left, seen in the direction of travel

Seat Exeo Factory Plate Locations

Leon (Facelift) from MY 2009
On the inside of the wing, on the left, seen in the direction of travel

Seat Leon Factory Plate Locations

Alhambra (from MY 2011)  

On the left B-pillar at the bottom

Seat Alhambra Factory Plate Locations

Mii (from MY 2012)  
On the left B-pillar at the inner rabbet

Seat Mii Factory Plate Locations

Leon (from MY 2013)
On the right B-pillar at the inner rabbet

Seat Leon 2013 Factory Plate Locations

Form Of The Seat Factory Plate

The Seat Factory Plate is a small metal plate that is stamped or etched with important information about the vehicle. It typically measures a few inches in length and width and is made of durable materials such as aluminum or stainless steel. The plate may be attached to various parts of the car, such as the engine compartment or the door frame, and is designed to withstand exposure to the elements and other wear and tear. The specific design and format of the Seat Factory Plate may vary depending on the year, make, and model of the vehicle, as well as the country in which it was manufactured. However, most Seat Factory Plates will include some or all of the following information:

  1. Manufacturer Information: This includes the name and logo of the manufacturer, as well as their address and contact information.
  2. Seat VIN Number : This is a unique 17-digit code that identifies the specific vehicle, including information such as the model year, engine type, and production plant.
  3. Production Date: This indicates the date on which the vehicle was produced, including the month and year.
  4. Paint Code: This identifies the specific color and finish of the vehicle’s exterior paint.
  5. Trim Code: This identifies the specific interior trim materials and colors used in the vehicle.
  6. Option Codes: These are codes that identify any optional features or packages that were installed in the vehicle, such as air conditioning or a sunroof.
  7. Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): This is the maximum weight limit for the vehicle, including the weight of the vehicle itself, any passengers, cargo, and towing capacity.
  8. Vehicle Class: This indicates the type of vehicle, such as a sedan, coupe, or SUV.
  9. Engine Code: This identifies the specific engine installed in the vehicle, including information such as the size, type, and number of cylinders.

Seat Metal Factory Plate

In form and appearance the metal factory plates correspond to the old- style VAG factory plates

Toledo (metal plate)Cordoba (old)
Seat Metal Factory PlateSeat Metal Factory Plate

Vehicles from MY 1999

The types adhesive plate become lasered and the writing is noticeable by means of fingernail test.

Caution: with newer ones Types adhesive plates the writing is only badly noticeable (perhaps Tasteless counters use!!)

Arosa – Cordoba – Toledo 
(Toledo up to and including MY 2004)on the right side with PKN
  Seat Factory Plate
Alhambra
Just as on the VW Sharan, there is no PKN on the right, but, from the end of MY 2005 there is a PKN on the right!!!   Seat Alhambra Factory Plate
Ibiza and Leon
(no production identification number on the right!)   Seat Ibiza Factory Plate
Toledo and Altea from MY 2005
(no production identification number on the right!)   Seat Toledo Factory Plate
Leon from MY 2007
There may be a production identification number on the right, but it is not always present   Seat Leon Factory Plate
All models from 06/2007
for example
Altea from MY 2008
 
1. 3-character engine identification letters 2. No production identification number (this is repeated on the technical service sticker) Seat Altea Factory Plate

Or all models from 06/2007

For example: Exeo from MY 2009

1. 4-character engine identification letters
With a letter for the engine performance level, which is not, however, stamped onto the engine block (e.g.: CFM = the engine identification letters and the letter ‘A’ to indicate the engine performance level)

2. with the PKN

Alhambra (from MY 2011)

Foil with the VW-Logo

1. 4-character engine identification letters
With a letter for the engine performance level, which is not, however, stamped onto the engine block (e.g. CFF = the engine identification letters and the letter “B” to indicate the engine performance level)

2. with the PKN

Alhambra PKN

Mii (from MY 2012)

Foil without security signs and on the right side with
engine identification letters (here: CHY) and production identification number (here: 0830371)

Mii PKN

Leon (from MY 2013)

Foil without security features and without production number (PKN)

Leon PKN

Close up view of the first two letters of the VIN

Seat Production Identification Number – PKN

The production identification number is an internal control number.

It can be found in various different places on a vehicle:

–   the type plate sticker (only on the Arosa, Cordoba, Toledo (only until and including MY 2004), and the Alhambra from the end of MY 2005)
– on the technical service sticker (only on the Arosa, Cordoba, Toledo (only until and including MY 2004), and the Alhambra from the end of MY 2005, Leon ,Altea, Ibiza (however, with number 0 for weekday unknown)
– onn separate data carriers (from MY 2007: e. g. door disguising, roof skies, spare tires)

Decode Seat Production Identification Number

The production identification number contains 7 characters broken down as follows:

E.g: 25 3 3751

25 = Week of year
3 = Day of the week or 0
3751 = Serial number

Week of year: The 1st and 2nd digits of the production identification number represent the week of the current year (not the week of the production year). The figures will normally range form 01 to 52.

Numbers higher than 52 are found on duplicate plates

Another difference is found in separately manufactured cars. In this case, the production identification number begins with 59

Day of the week

1 = Monday

2 = Tuesday

3= Wednesday

4= Thursday

5= Friday

6 = Saturday

0 = Exact production day not given

7 = Vehicle planned at a later stage

With Seat vehicles the number “0” is put down on the customer service sticker mostly as a day (the third place of the PKN) and often agrees at this point therefore not with the PKN on the types adhesive sign and an on-line query.

The year of construction cannot be deduced from the production identification number.

There is a barcode strip (similar to the ones on VW) on all SEAT vehicles on the right, at the front, in the engine compartment (near the right headlight). This strip has a sort of production identification number (PKN) on it. The number ‘4124346’ appears in the following image. This number however does not match the PKN on the type plate sticker, the PKN on the technical service label or the PKN obtainable from the online information facility. As far as is presently known, this number cannot be used for identification purposes.

PKN Seat