Where Is the Mini Paint Code?
On a Mini, the paint code is at the Driver-side door jamb — VIN sticker, printed on the label marked “Farbe (Color, 3-digit BMW-style code)”. The code follows the pattern 3 digits or alphanumeric (e.g., 851, B19). If the sticker is missing or faded, look it up by VIN below.
Get Your Mini Paint Code by VIN
Enter any 17-character VIN — we'll return the OEM paint code and factory color name from the build record.
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Mini Paint Code Location — Every Spot to Check
Mini prints the paint code in one main spot and backs it up in a couple of others. Start at the top of this list and work down if the label is hard to read.
- 1Primary location
Driver-side door jamb — VIN sticker
- 2Backup location
Strut tower in the engine bay
- 3Backup location
Inside the trunk lid
What the label says
Look for the row marked Farbe (Color, 3-digit BMW-style code). That's the line that carries the Mini color code.
Code format
Three-digit BMW Group code. Pattern: 3 digits or alphanumeric (e.g., 851, B19).
Common Mini Paint Codes & Color Names
A few well-known Mini factory codes so you know what to expect on the sticker. Your exact code depends on the model year — always confirm against your own vehicle or VIN.
| Paint Code | Factory Color Name |
|---|---|
851 | Pepper White |
B19 | Midnight Black Metallic |
C2Y | British Racing Green IV Metallic |
B22 | Moonwalk Grey Metallic |
Mini Paint Code Tips
The quirks worth knowing before you order paint for a Mini.
Mini is a BMW Group brand — paint codes follow the same numeric/alphanumeric format as BMW.
Roof and stripe colors are listed separately on the door label — the body color is the main code.
John Cooper Works editions sometimes have unique stripe colors; check the optional equipment list for those codes.
Mini Sticker Missing or Faded? Use the VIN.
Door jamb stickers fade in the sun, get peeled during detailing, or disappear when a door is replaced after a collision. When the Mini label is gone, the VIN is the reliable way back to the factory paint code.
Every Mini build record carries the factory paint code, locked to the VIN at manufacture. Our free VIN check pulls that record so you can order touch-up, brief a body shop, or verify the current color matches the factory original.
Buying a used Mini? If the current color doesn't match the factory code, the car was repainted — worth an accident history check to find out why.
Look up your Mini code by VIN
No sticker needed — the factory code comes straight from the build record.
What to Do With Your Mini Paint Code
Once you have the code, here's how to put it to work.
Order touch-up paint
Give the code to a Miniparts counter or a touch-up supplier. For pearl/metallic finishes, ask for the matching base + clear so the repair doesn't flatten out.
Save it for later
Photograph the Mini sticker in good light and store it with your documents. The code stays the same for the life of the car — no more trips back to the driveway.
Paint Code Location for Other Brands
Mini Paint Code — Sources & References
Mini color codes trace back to factory build records and OEM service literature. The references below are the authoritative origins behind Mini VIN, paint, and history data in the United States.
- NHTSA VIN Decoder ↗
Federal reference decoder for Mini VIN structure.
- NHTSA — Safety Recalls ↗
Open Mini recall lookup by VIN.
- NMVTIS — Bureau of Justice Assistance ↗
Federal title-brand database covering every Mini across all 50 states.
- EPA ↗
Coatings and VOC standards behind OEM Mini paint formulations.
Mini Paint Code — Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the paint code on a Mini?+
On a Mini, the paint code is at the Driver-side door jamb — VIN sticker. Look for the label marked "Farbe (Color, 3-digit BMW-style code)". If that sticker is faded or missing, check strut tower in the engine bay or inside the trunk lid.
What does a Mini paint code look like?+
Three-digit BMW Group code. The typical pattern is 3 digits or alphanumeric (e.g., 851, B19). For example, 851 is Pepper White, and B19 is Midnight Black Metallic.
Can I find my Mini paint code with just the VIN?+
Yes. The factory paint code is recorded against the VIN in Mini's build database, so a VIN-based lookup returns the original color code even when the physical door jamb sticker is damaged, faded, or was replaced during repair. Enter your VIN in the form above.
What is the difference between the Mini paint code and the color name?+
The color name (e.g., "Pepper White") is marketing copy that Mini may reuse across model years with small formula changes. The paint code (851) is tied to one specific formulation — it is what a paint supplier needs to mix an exact match.
How do I use my Mini paint code for touch-up?+
Give the code — not the color name — to any paint supplier, dealer parts counter, or body shop. They mix to the code. For pearl or tri-coat Mini finishes, a single touch-up pen won't match the depth; those need a base + mid-coat + clear process.
My Mini was repainted and the sticker is gone — what now?+
Run a VIN-based paint code lookup. The factory code is locked to the VIN at manufacture, so it survives a respray or a replaced door. If the car's current color doesn't match the factory code returned, the vehicle was repainted — worth pairing with an accident history check to find out why.
Get Your Mini Paint Code in Seconds
Enter a 17-character VIN to retrieve the factory Mini paint code and color name — for touch-up, body shop matching, or to verify a respray on a used vehicle.
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