Where is the VIN number in Mazda 3 (III (BM))?

This guide shows where to find the VIN/chassis number on the Mazda 3 III (BM) produced between 2013–2018, including the quick-to-scan plates and the hidden stamped chassis number.

Chassis Number Locations

1) Windshield (dashboard)

• Where to look: Stand outside the car and look through the lower corner of the windshield on the left side (driver side for LHD). The VIN plate sits under the glass, visible through a small cutout in the black frit/dot-matrix band.
• Access: Easy to reach but glare/reflections from glass can hide digits, especially in bright sun.
• Note: This is a standard “visible VIN” spot. If the plate area looks blank on your car, double-check the other locations below.
• Tip: If reflections keep washing out the characters, scan it directly with your phone using ScanVin.app at a slight angle so the OCR captures the VIN without transcription mistakes.

2) B-pillar certification label (door jamb)

• Where to look: Open a front door and inspect the lower B-pillar (the door jamb area between the front and rear doors). The VIN is printed on a certification/VIN sticker (high-contrast black text on white/silver).
• Access: Usually the easiest location—good lighting with the door open. Sticker can be scuffed from shoes, cargo, or repeated entry/exit.
• Note: Side can vary by region. On many LHD cars it’s on the left/driver B-pillar, but some markets place it on the right/passenger B-pillar—if you don’t see it immediately, check both sides.
• Tip: If shadows or faded print make it hard to read, use the free VIN reader on ScanVin.app with your flashlight to capture the full code cleanly.

3) Floor chassis stamp (under front seat, under carpet flap)

• Where to look: The VIN is stamped into the metal chassis cross-member under a front seat, hidden under a carpet flap:
  • Slide the front right seat all the way back (commonly passenger side for LHD, but check the other front seat if you don’t find it).
  • Find the pre-cut carpet flap in the floor.
  • Lift the carpet flap.
  • Flip open the hard plastic cover marked “FRAME NUMBER”.
  • The VIN is stamped into the metal underneath.
• Access: More work. It’s dark under the seat, and stamped characters can be low-contrast against the metal (easy to miss).
• Note: This stamped VIN is a strong “verification” point when you’re checking if the car matches the paperwork.
• Tip: Because it’s dark and the stamp can be faint, capture it with ScanVin.app + Flashlight OCR so you don’t have to squint or guess characters in an awkward position.

4) Etched windows (security marking)

• Where to look: Look for VIN/security etching on side windows and rear glass—it’s lightly etched into the glass.
• Access: Visible but hard to read because it’s transparent-on-transparent and your camera may struggle to focus.
• Note: Useful as a supporting check, not the primary VIN plate.
• Tip: If your eyes can see it but your camera won’t lock focus, try scanning with ScanVin.app while bracing the phone close to the glass to stabilize the shot.

5) Engine bay (firewall/cowl) — reference only

• Where to look: Some vehicles have a VIN stamp/plate on the firewall/cowl area under the hood.
• Access: Often dirty/obstructed by hoses and covers, and not the easiest angle for a phone.
• Note: Treat this as a backup check if your windshield label or door sticker is missing/unreadable.
• Tip: If grime or low contrast makes it unreadable, use ScanVin.app to scan and enhance the characters instead of trying to copy it by hand.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: VIN Locations - Mazda 3 (2014-2018)

▶ Watch Mazda 3 VIN Location Guide

• Clear walk-through of the three main VIN points (windshield, door jamb label, and the hidden floor/chassis stamp under the plastic “FRAME NUMBER” cover).

Video Tutorial: Where is the VIN number of my MAZDA 3 III ( 2013 – 2018 ) | All Possible VIN Number Locations

▶ Watch Mazda 3 VIN Location Guide

• Shows VIN/markings on a hatchback, including window etching, the door sticker, and the under-seat floor stamp.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Windshield VIN has glare: Shade the area with your body and tilt your phone slightly; glare can wipe out a few digits even when the plate is present.
• Floor stamp is hard to see: Slide the seat fully back, lift the carpet flap, and use a flashlight—stamped metal can be low-contrast and easy to misread.
• Door jamb sticker concerns: If the sticker looks damaged, repainted over, or replaced, verify the VIN matches the stamped floor VIN and the vehicle documents before you buy.

---