Your radio code comes from the serial number of the radio, not from the car. On most units it is printed on a label on the casing, so the radio has to come out of the dash; a few show it on the screen.
Shown on the screen. Ford: hold presets 1 and 6 (or 2 and 6) to show the M or V serial. Toyota and Lexus: the 16-character ERC code on the screen. Eclipse: the six-character ESN the unit shows when it asks for its code.
Printed on the casing label. Volkswagen, Audi, Škoda and Seat: 14 characters starting VWZ, AUZ, SKZ or SEZ. Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep: a T… serial of 12 or 14 characters. Renault and Dacia: the precode, a letter and three digits, often marked “security”. Nissan Bosch units: 14 characters starting BP. Honda (European units): 14 characters starting HO.
Numbers that are not the serial. A part number with dashes (like 39101-86G1) or a Blaupunkt product number (like 7 646 546 366) names the model of radio, so it is the same on thousands of cars. The 17-character VIN belongs to the car. None of these produces your code.
Not sure? Pick your make below — each page shows what its label looks like and checks your serial before you leave any details.
Usually yes — it is on the casing label. Ford units show it on the screen with presets 1 and 6, Toyota and Lexus show the ERC code, and Eclipse units show the ESN.
No. The part number names the model of radio and is shared by thousands of cars; it cannot produce your code.
Only for Peugeot, Citroën and DS RT6 and SMEG screens. For everything else the code comes from the radio’s own serial. Radio code by VIN.