Where is the VIN in the Nissan Qashqai?

This guide shows the VIN (chassis number) locations on the Nissan Qashqai II (J11) produced between 2013 and 2020, including the easy “through-the-glass” VIN and the hidden stamped chassis VIN.

Chassis Number Locations

1) Engine Bay – Stamped on Firewall/Bulkhead (under scuttle access flap)

• Where to look: Open the bonnet. At the base of the windshield, find the plastic cowl/scuttle panel. In the center there’s a rectangular plastic flap/cover—lift/unclench it to expose the VIN stamped into the metal firewall/chassis underneath.
• Access: Expect dirt/grime buildup here and poor lighting under the cowl lip. The flap can feel brittle on older cars or in cold weather—lift it gently.
• Note: This stamped VIN is central and does not change between LHD/RHD.
• Tip: If the stamping looks dusty or the characters fade into shadows, use High Contrast + flashlight and scan the stamped VIN directly with ScanVin.app instead of trying to read it at an awkward angle.

2) Windshield VIN (dashboard corner, viewed from outside)

• Where to look: Stand outside the car and look through the lower corner of the windshield at the VIN plate on the dashboard.
  On LHD cars it’s typically on the left (driver side). On RHD cars it’s typically on the right.
• Access: Quick to check, but glare/reflections and dirty glass can hide characters.
• Note: The side can swap with LHD/RHD, but it’s always meant to be readable from outside through the glass.
• Tip: If reflections wash out the text, change your viewing angle and capture it instantly with the VIN scanner to avoid transcription mistakes.

3) B-Pillar Manufacturer Label (right-side center pillar on the example shown)

• Where to look: Open the front passenger door (LHD context). On the B-pillar (the post between front and rear doors), locate the black manufacturer sticker—the VIN is printed at the top of that label.
• Access: Usually clean and easy, but the sticker can get scraped, torn, or faded over time from door-jamb wear.
• Note: The example shown places the label on the right-side center pillar; use the vehicle’s left/right orientation (as viewed from the rear) when checking.
• Tip: This is a high-contrast label—use the free VIN reader on ScanVin.app to scan it cleanly without typing 17 characters by hand.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: Nissan Qashqai Vin Number Location - YouTube

▶ Watch Nissan Qashqai VIN Location Guide

• Close-up demonstration of lifting the scuttle access cover to reveal the stamped firewall VIN.

Video Tutorial: Where is the VIN number of my Nissan Qashqai II ( 2014 - YouTube

▶ Watch Nissan Qashqai VIN Location Guide

• Clear walkthrough of all three VIN locations: firewall stamp, windshield VIN, and B-pillar label.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Engine bay stamp unreadable: Mud/grease and heavy shadows under the cowl are common—wipe the stamping clean and use a flashlight for a straight-on view.
• Windshield VIN hard to see: Glare/reflections (especially in sun) can wash out the plate—move to a different angle or shade the area with your body.
• Sticker VIN doesn’t “prove” identity alone: Door-jamb labels can be replaced—always cross-check the stamped VIN (firewall) against the windshield/label VIN when verifying a vehicle.

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This guide shows the VIN number locations on the Nissan Qashqai I (J10/NJ10) produced between 2007–2012, including the easiest spots to check and the “hidden” stamped location in the engine bay.

Chassis Number Locations

Engine Bay – Stamped on Bulkhead/Firewall (under cowl panel)

• Where to look: Open the hood and go to the center of the firewall/bulkhead at the base of the windshield. There’s a rectangular plastic access panel in the cowl/scuttle area (part of the vent/intake trim). Unclip the panel (two clips at the top) and you’ll see the VIN stamped into the metal underneath.
• Access: You must unclip/remove a plastic cover; on older cars the clips can be brittle. The stamping sits in a recessed area, so you may need to wipe/scrub dirt off to read it.
• Note: This stamped location appears central and is typically the same for LHD and RHD vehicles.
• Tip: Because it’s recessed and often grimy, use the app’s camera with flash and scan it directly with ScanVin.app so you don’t misread shadowed stamped characters.

B-Pillar Label (door jamb sticker)

• Where to look: Open the front passenger door (LHD) and inspect the B-pillar (the vertical post between the front and rear doors). You’ll find a printed VIN/weights/paint code sticker.
• Access: Very easy access—just open the door. Main issues are fading, peeling, or damage to the label over time, plus occasional shadows from the door.
• Note: On RHD cars, this label is commonly found on the opposite side (driver-side B-pillar).
• Tip: This is usually high-contrast text, so use the free VIN reader to scan the label instead of typing a long 17-character VIN by hand.

Windshield VIN Plate (dash visible through glass)

• Where to look: Look through the windshield at the bottom corner of the dashboard—typically passenger-side on LHD (and commonly the opposite side on RHD). You’ll see the VIN on a small plate visible through the glass.
• Access: No tools needed, but glare/reflections from sky/trees are common. Wiper position can also partially block your view.
• Note: Side may swap depending on LHD vs RHD—use the corner nearest the A-pillar and check both lower corners if needed.
• Tip: If reflections make it hard to read, capture it instantly with your phone using ScanVin.app to avoid transcription errors from glare.

Video Guide

Video Tutorial: Nissan Qashqai Vin Number Location - YouTube

▶ Watch Nissan Qashqai VIN Location Guide

• Clear walkthrough showing the cowl panel removal for the firewall VIN, plus the windshield VIN and the B-pillar label.

Common Problems & Troubleshooting

• Can’t see the stamped VIN in the engine bay: Dirt builds up in the cowl recess and shadows hide the stamping—wipe it clean and use a strong light/flash.
• Windshield VIN unreadable in photos: Glare is the #1 issue—change your angle, shade the plate with your hand, or shoot when the sun isn’t hitting the glass.
• Door sticker looks “wrong” or is missing: Labels can fade/peel or be replaced; always cross-check the sticker VIN against the stamped chassis VIN before buying.

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