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Holden Calais VIN Number
Use this guide to find the VIN on your Holden Calais, understand what it tells you, and start the right parts enquiry for your exact vehicle.
The Calais is the luxury flagship trim of the Holden Commodore rather than a separate model, running across the Commodore range from the VK series in 1984 through to the final VF in 2017 (including the later Calais V), predominantly as a four-door sedan with wagon versions offered in some series.
Where to find your Holden VIN
On most Holdens the 17-character VIN can be found in several places — check whichever is easiest to read:
- At the base of the windscreen on the driver's side, visible from outside the car.
- Stamped into the floor of the driver's or front-passenger footwell, under the carpet or trim flap.
- On the compliance / identification plate in the driver's door opening or in the engine bay.
- On your registration papers and registration certificate.
A Holden VIN is 17 characters and never uses the letters I, O or Q. The 10th character is the model-year code; because the model year can run ahead of the build date, cross-check it against the build month and year on the compliance plate.
The compliance plate also lists paint, trim, engine and transmission codes. Those codes are what pin down an exact panel colour or interior match, so it helps to send them with your enquiry. Holdens built before 1988 may not carry a 17-character VIN at all — on those cars use the body / compliance plate and the chassis and engine numbers instead.
On this model
Because the Calais is a Commodore, its identification follows the parent Commodore series rather than any separate Calais scheme, so the first step is to pin down the series (VK, VL, VN, VP, VR, VS, VT, VX, VY, VZ, VE or VF). On VT through VZ cars the build/compliance plate is typically on the radiator support panel in the engine bay, while VE and VF moved it to the passenger-side strut tower. Confirm from that plate both the series and that the car carries the Calais trim/option coding, as the body and VIN structure are otherwise identical to the equivalent Commodore. Having the series and trim verified avoids ordering a part cut for the wrong Commodore generation.
This page also draws on later year-by-year data for Holden Calais, Holden HDT Calais to cover modern variants.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the VIN on a Holden Calais?
Check the base of the windscreen on the driver's side, the floor of the driver's or passenger footwell, the compliance plate in the door opening or engine bay, and your registration papers. The exact spot can vary by year and body style.
How long is a Holden VIN and what does it tell you?
A modern Holden VIN is 17 characters and never uses I, O or Q. It identifies the vehicle, and the 10th character is the model-year code — cross-check it against the build date on the compliance plate.
My older Holden does not seem to have a 17-character VIN. Why?
Holdens built before 1988 generally pre-date the 17-character VIN. Use the body / compliance plate and the chassis and engine numbers to identify the car instead.
Can I ask for parts once I have my VIN?
Yes. Send the VIN plus any paint, trim, engine and transmission codes from the compliance plate and we will check availability for your exact vehicle.
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