Where to Find the Paint Code on an Audi Q5

The paint code on an Audi Q5 is usually located on a white or silver information sticker in the luggage compartment (trunk) area, most commonly in the spare wheel well or under the trunk floor, and it can also be retrieved via the VIN at an Audi dealer or certified parts system. Knowing exactly where to look saves time and helps ensure you get the correct touch-up paint or respray color.

Why the Paint Code Matters for Audi Q5 Owners

For Audi Q5 owners, the paint code is essential whenever a body shop, detailer, or DIY enthusiast needs to match the vehicle’s exterior color precisely. Unlike a simple color name such as “Glacier White” or “Mythos Black,” the paint code is a specific alphanumeric identifier that corresponds to the factory paint formula used on the vehicle. Without it, even small repairs can end up slightly mismatched, especially under certain lighting conditions.

Main Locations of the Audi Q5 Paint Code

On modern Audi Q5 models, the paint code is not printed in just any random spot—Audi uses standardized locations that technicians and owners can reference. These locations are fairly consistent across generations, although there can be minor differences between model years and regions.

1. Luggage Compartment Sticker (Primary Location)

For most Audi Q5 models, the primary place to find the paint code is on an information sticker placed somewhere in the luggage compartment. This sticker carries multiple technical details about the vehicle, including option codes, engine type, and paint information.

The following key points describe how to find and read this sticker for the paint code:

• Location in the trunk: Typically under the trunk floor panel, in or near the spare wheel well, or on the side panel inside the luggage compartment.
• Appearance of the sticker: Usually white or silver, with compact blocks of text and numerical codes, including PR (production) codes and VIN information.
• Paint code format: Often a three- or four-character alphanumeric code such as LY9B, LZ7H, or LZ7S. It may be labeled as “Lacknr.” (German for paint number), “Paint No.,” or “Paint code.”
• Typical placement in recent Q5s (approx. 2017–present): Under the rear load floor above the spare tire or foam tool insert, or on the left side of the luggage compartment behind a trim panel or removable cover.
• Older Q5 (first-generation, approx. 2009–2016): Frequently on the sticker in the spare wheel well area or under the trunk carpet, again near the spare wheel or tools.

Once you locate this sticker, identifying the paint code is usually a matter of scanning for a three- or four-character code starting with “L” that matches common Audi paint patterns, which a body shop or parts supplier can then use to mix the exact shade.

2. Service Book or Original Documentation

Some Audi Q5s also have a duplicate of the data sticker placed in the vehicle’s service or warranty booklet. This can be useful if someone has removed or damaged the sticker in the luggage compartment or if it’s obscured by aftermarket installations.

Here are the ways the paint code might appear in the documentation:

• Data sticker in service booklet: Often an identical copy of the trunk sticker, including the paint code and PR codes.
• Owner’s pack / delivery paperwork: Sometimes the dealer or importer includes the paint code in printed delivery documents, especially on detailed spec sheets.
• Digital service records: In some markets, Audi dealerships maintain digital vehicle records that list the paint code; owners can request a printout.

If the physical sticker in the trunk is missing, checking the service booklet or dealer-issued documents may provide a quick, non-invasive way to retrieve the correct paint code.

3. Using the VIN at an Audi Dealer or Specialist

If no stickers can be found—or if the vehicle has been heavily modified or damaged—Audi dealerships and many independent VAG (Volkswagen–Audi Group) specialists can look up the paint code using the vehicle identification number (VIN).

This process generally works as follows:

• VIN lookup at Audi dealer: The service or parts department enters your VIN into Audi’s internal system (such as ElsaPro or ETKA-linked databases) to retrieve build data, including the original paint code.
• Independent shops: Many VAG specialists have access to similar databases or licensed parts catalogs that decode the VIN to show the paint code.
• Verification for repainted cars: If a car has had a full respray in a non-original color, the VIN lookup will only show the factory color. Visual verification may then be required to confirm the current paint.

Using the VIN is particularly helpful when stickers are missing, damaged, or unreadable, and ensures the color information is tied directly to the vehicle’s factory records.

How to Identify the Paint Code on the Sticker

Finding the sticker is only half the task; recognizing which of the many codes is actually the paint code is just as important. Audi uses a variety of internal and option codes, so it’s easy to confuse them if you’re not familiar with the format.

Typical Audi Paint Code Formats

Audi paint codes on the Q5 generally follow consistent patterns that can be recognized even if the sticker is crowded with information.

The main identifiers of a paint code include the following characteristics:

• Starts with “L”: Most Audi paint codes begin with the letter “L”, for example LY9B, LZ7H, LZ9Y.
• Three or four characters: Typically 3–4 alphanumeric characters; older examples may be three characters, but modern codes are often four.
• Associated color name: Parts catalogs or paint suppliers will connect the code (e.g., LY9B) to a color name like “Brilliant Black.” The sticker itself may or may not show the color name.
• “Lacknr.” or “Paint No.” label: On some stickers there is a German label such as “Lacknr.” or abbreviated notes referring to paint or color.

Once identified, this code can be given to any professional paint supplier, body shop, or Audi parts counter to mix touch-up paint, aerosol cans, or full refinish quantities matching the original factory shade.

Common Audi Q5 Paint Code Examples

While actual codes vary by model year and market, several paint codes frequently appear on Audi Q5 vehicles and illustrate what you might see on your sticker.

These are typical examples of Audi Q5 paint codes and their associated colors:

• LY9B – Brilliant Black
• LZ7H – Daytona Grey Pearl Effect
• LS9R – Glacier White Metallic
• LZ7S – Manhattan Grey Metallic
• LZ9Y – Mythos Black Metallic
• LX7W – Monsoon Grey Metallic

Seeing a code in this style on your data sticker is a strong indication you have found the correct paint identifier for your Q5.

Step-by-Step: Finding Your Audi Q5 Paint Code

For owners standing at the back of their Q5 unsure where to start, a simple step-by-step approach can make the search quick and systematic.

Follow these steps to locate the paint code on most Audi Q5 models:

1. Open the tailgate: Raise the rear hatch to access the luggage compartment.
2. Remove or lift the trunk floor panel: On many Q5s, this panel hinges upward or lifts out to reveal the spare wheel or storage area beneath.
3. Check the spare wheel well: Look for a white or silver sticker inside the well, on the floor, or on surrounding metal or plastic surfaces.
4. Inspect side panels or trim covers: If you do not see the sticker in the wheel well, check the left and right side panels, including behind any small removable covers.
5. Locate the information sticker: Once you find the sticker with dense blocks of codes and the VIN, you are in the right place.
6. Identify the paint code: Look for a three- or four-character code beginning with “L” that corresponds to known Audi paint formats, possibly near wording like “Lacknr.” or “Paint.”
7. Photograph or write it down: Record the code so you can provide it to the parts supplier, body shop, or online retailer.

Completing these steps should enable most Q5 owners to locate and correctly identify their paint code without specialized tools or professional help.

What to Do if You Still Can’t Find the Paint Code

Occasionally, a Q5 may have a missing sticker (after repairs, accidents, or trim replacement) or heavily worn labels. In these cases, there are still reliable options to obtain accurate color information.

The following options help ensure you can still obtain the right paint, even without the physical sticker:

• Contact an Audi dealership with your VIN: Request the original paint code from their internal database, which is tied to your vehicle’s factory build.
• Visit a reputable body shop or paint supplier: Many have electronic databases and can either decode the VIN or visually color-match the car using spectrophotometers.
• Check your service booklet and paperwork: Look for a duplicate data sticker or itemized vehicle specification sheet that lists paint details.
• Be cautious with generic “color name only” solutions: Online listings that use just the color name without verifying the paint code may not match perfectly, especially across model years or production batches.

Using these alternatives minimizes the risk of applying a nearly-but-not-quite-right shade that becomes obvious once repairs are completed and viewed in daylight.

Summary

The paint code on an Audi Q5 is most commonly found on a white or silver data sticker in the luggage compartment, usually under the trunk floor in or near the spare wheel well, and sometimes replicated in the service booklet. The code is a three- or four-character sequence—often starting with “L,” such as LY9B or LZ7H—that precisely identifies the vehicle’s factory paint color. If the sticker is missing or unreadable, Audi dealers and many specialists can retrieve the original paint code using the vehicle’s VIN, ensuring accurate color matching for touch-ups, repairs, and full resprays.