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 —
Arosa
Engine compartment bulkhead, on the right, in the direction of travel
Ibiza, Cordoba, Leon, Toledo
Left suspension strut dome
Alhambra
Beneath the right-hand hinge on the bonnet
Altea
Altea Freetrack
Ibiza SC (Sportcoupe) from My 2009
On the inside of the wing, on the left, seen in the direction of travel
Exeo
On the inside of the wing, on the left, seen in the direction of travel
Leon (Facelift) from MY 2009
On the inside of the wing, on the left, seen in the direction of travel
Alhambra (from MY 2011)
On the left B-pillar at the bottom
Mii (from MY 2012)
On the left B-pillar at the inner rabbet
Leon (from MY 2013)
On the right B-pillar at the inner rabbet
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:
- Manufacturer Information: This includes the name and logo of the manufacturer, as well as their address and contact information.
- 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.
- Production Date: This indicates the date on which the vehicle was produced, including the month and year.
- Paint Code: This identifies the specific color and finish of the vehicle’s exterior paint.
- Trim Code: This identifies the specific interior trim materials and colors used in the vehicle.
- 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.
- 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.
- Vehicle Class: This indicates the type of vehicle, such as a sedan, coupe, or SUV.
- 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) |
 |  |
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  | 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!!!  |
| Ibiza and Leon (no production identification number on the right!)  | Toledo and Altea from MY 2005 (no production identification number on the right!)  |
| Leon from MY 2007 There may be a production identification number on the right, but it is not always present  | 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)  |
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
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)
Leon (from MY 2013)
Foil without security features and without production number (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.
