Where is the VIN number in Citroen C4 (I [2005-2009])?

This guide covers the Citroën C4 Mk1 (C4 I, commonly seen in the mid‑2000s). On these cars, the stamped chassis VIN in the engine bay is the one that commonly causes headaches because it’s hidden and lightly stamped.

Chassis Number Locations

Engine Bay — Right Suspension Strut Tower (Chassis Stamp)

• Where to look: Open the hood and go to the right-side suspension strut tower (right side of the engine bay when facing the car). The VIN is stamped on the top surface of the metal shock/strut housing, right alongside the fender. It’s partially tucked under the black plastic cowl/rain tray lip and sits directly next to the coolant expansion tank.
• Access: High difficulty. It’s naturally shadowed by the plastic cowl, and the stamping is often shallow/faint. Use a flashlight and be ready to adjust your viewing angle; you may need to wipe dust/grime off the metal to make the characters pop.
• Note: This description is confirmed on an LHD car (steering wheel on the left). On some RHD layouts, components can swap sides—if you don’t see it immediately, check the opposite strut tower area too.
• Tip: If the numbers look washed out, use ScanVin.app “High Contrast AI Mode” to help decipher faint stamped characters before you give up and start guessing.

Windshield — Lower Left Corner (Visible VIN)

• Where to look: From outside the car, look through the lower left corner of the windshield (driver side on LHD). The VIN sits in a small cutout in the black frit/obscuration band at the base of the glass.
• Access: Medium difficulty. Glare and reflections are common, and the video shows condensation/water droplets making the VIN unreadable until the glass is cleaned.
• Note: If you’re indoors or it’s raining, wipe the outside of the glass and change your angle to reduce reflections.
• Tip: For reflective glass, use ScanVin.app to capture the VIN instantly (less chance of transcription errors when you’re fighting glare).

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: Citroen C4 vin number location

▶ Watch Citroen C4 VIN Location Guide

• A mechanic demonstrates the hidden, faint engine-bay stamp under the cowl using a flashlight, then briefly shows the windshield VIN.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• “I can’t read the stamped VIN in the engine bay.” That’s normal on C4 Mk1: the stamp can be poorly struck and shadowed under the plastic cowl lip. Shine a flashlight across it at a low angle and wipe the surface clean.
• “The windshield VIN is there but it’s blurry.” Condensation/water droplets and glare will block it—dry the glass and change your viewing angle.
• Don’t rely on stickers alone: Door/pillar labels can be missing or replaced. For registration/identity checks, the stamped chassis VIN is what matters in most jurisdictions.

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