What is a chassis number and where to find it

Updated July 17, 2026 · 7 min read

To verify an auction sheet you need one thing: the chassis number. Here's what it is, how to read it, where to find it, and the mistakes that make lookups fail.

What a chassis number looks like

A Japanese chassis number is a chassis code (model and generation) plus a serial for that individual car, usually separated by a dash. Example: ZRE142-1234567. The first part tells you what the car is; the serial pins down which exact vehicle went through auction.

It is not the same as a 17-character VIN used on many markets. Japanese domestic-market (JDM) cars use this frame-number format. Some export markets restamp or add VIN-style plates later — for auction lookup, you want the Japanese frame number from the export paperwork.

The five places to find it

1. Export / deregistration certificate — printed near the top. Most reliable source when buying an import.
2. Under the bonnet — stamped on the firewall, strut tower or a chassis plate (varies by maker).
3. Door jamb plate — manufacturer's plate on the driver's door frame.
4. Auction sheet — if you already have a copy (still verify it's genuine).
5. Dashboard / windscreen base — visible from outside on some models.

Chassis codes vary by brand

Each manufacturer uses its own convention. Browse model codes on our verify-by-brand pages:

• Toyota — e.g. ZRE142 (Corolla), ZVW30 (Prius), GGH30 (Vellfire)
• Honda — e.g. GK3 (Fit), RU1 (Vezel), JF3 (N-Box)
• Nissan — e.g. E12 (Note), V37 (Skyline)
• All brands — Suzuki, Mazda, Subaru, Mitsubishi, Daihatsu, Lexus

Common mistakes that break a lookup

• Model code only — entering ZRE142 without the serial won't identify one car.
• Wrong character — O vs 0, I vs 1, and similar lookalikes. Copy from the certificate when possible.
• Spaces or missing dash — use the format on the export papers.
• VIN from a re-plated car — ask for the Japanese frame number if the yard only quotes a local VIN.
• Partial plate photo — get a clear shot of the full stamped number before you pay a finder.

Why the chassis number unlocks the sheet

Japanese auctions index the condition report against the frame number. That is how you can verify the original sheet even when a dealer says it was lost — see why “no auction sheet” is a red flag. Once you have the number, you can check grade, mileage and the damage map before money changes hands.