Where to find it
- Backhoe loaders: commonly on the right-hand side near the front of the cab, on the steering column inside the cab, or on the side of the cab above the loader arm.
- Telehandlers (Loadalls): on the main frame behind the front right-hand wheel, or on the headstock near the front of the machine.
Confirm the plate matches any stamped number, and treat an altered serial as a warning sign.
How the format works
Most JCB machines built after 2001 use a 17-character PIN built to the same standard as a vehicle VIN, so the tenth character encodes the model year, using a letter code that skips the letters I, O, Q, U and Z. Older JCB machines used a shorter serial number that does not encode the year the same way.
MachVerity reads the model year from a standard 17-character PIN automatically.
Confirming the exact model and year
For a 17-character PIN, the tenth character gives the model year. For an older serial, note the full model name and serial number and check it against a JCB serial chart or an authorized JCB dealer, who can confirm the exact model, year and build details.
Have a JCB serial or 17-character PIN? Run it through MachVerity to read the year, see a value from real sales, and get a checklist to verify title, liens and theft.
Check a machine before you buy
Enter a serial or VIN for its identity, value, recalls and a due-diligence checklist. Free.
Frequently asked
Where is the serial number on a JCB backhoe?
Commonly on the right-hand side near the front of the cab, on the steering column inside the cab, or on the side of the cab above the loader arm. Confirm the plate matches any stamped number.
Can you tell the year from a JCB serial number?
Most JCB machines built after 2001 have a 17-character PIN, and the tenth character encodes the model year using a letter code that skips I, O, Q, U and Z. Older serials need a JCB chart or dealer to confirm the year.
Where is the serial number on a JCB telehandler?
On the main frame behind the front right-hand wheel, or on the headstock near the front of the machine.