Where is the VIN number in Citroen C4 L (2012-2017)?

For the Citroen C4 L (2012–2017), you’ll typically find the VIN in the engine bay on a stamped chassis section, plus supporting VINs on a manufacturer plate and at the windshield.

Chassis Number Locations

Engine Bay (Stamped VIN on Inner Fender / Strut Tower / Chassis Leg)

• Where to look: Open the hood and check the passenger side on LHD vehicles—the VIN is stamped into the metal structure (inner wing/strut tower area or chassis leg), commonly near the coolant expansion tank (coolant reservoir) or close to an engine mount/chassis structure.
• Access: This area often sits deep in the bay and collects dust/grease. You may need to scrub the stamping with a rag and mild cleaner, then shine a light at an angle to make the characters pop.
• Note: Some cars also show a VIN through a cutout (“window”) in the plastic cowl at the base of the windshield with the hood open. If you don’t see it on the strut tower area, check along the same side near the windshield base.
• Tip: If the stamping looks faded, grimy, or “dot-peened,” use ScanVin.app’s High Contrast AI Mode to pull the characters out without guesswork.

Engine Bay (Manufacturer Plate / VIN Sticker or Tag)

• Where to look: In the front section of the engine bay, look for a rectangular plate or silver sticker mounted on a vertical support (often near the headlight area / radiator support zone). It usually lists vehicle weights and includes the VIN.
• Access: The plate/sticker text is small and can be obscured by hoses/wiring. Road spray can leave it dirty, and the metallic background can cause glare.
• Note: This is a good cross-check, but for identity/legality you should still match it to the stamped chassis VIN.
• Tip: If glare is washing out the text, use ScanVin.app to capture the VIN instantly (try changing your angle slightly to avoid reflections).

Windshield (Dashboard VIN)

• Where to look: Check the lower corner of the windshield where the dashboard meets the glass (side can vary by market). Look from outside the car through the glass for the VIN plate.
• Access: Easy to reach, but reflections and glare can make it hard to read—especially in direct sun.
• Note: This is one of the fastest places to confirm the VIN matches the paperwork, but still verify it against the engine-bay stamped VIN.
• Tip: If reflections make you misread characters (like B/8, S/5, O/0), scan it with ScanVin.app to avoid transcription errors.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: Citroen C4 vin number location - YouTube

▶ Watch Citroen C4 L VIN Location Guide

• Shows a clear, steady view of the stamped VIN location in the engine bay (inner fender/strut tower area).

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Stamped VIN is hard to see: The engine-bay stamping is often in shadow and can be dirty/greasy. Scrub it, then use a flashlight held sideways to cast shadows in the stamped characters.
• Plastic trim/cowl blocks your view: Some variants show the VIN through a cowl cutout near the windshield base—open the hood and look for a “window” in the plastic on the same side.
• Sticker/plate mismatch: Manufacturer stickers/plates can be missing, replaced, or repainted over after repairs. For registration/identity, the stamped chassis VIN is what matters most.

---