How to Read Toyota, Nissan and Mazda Part Numbers

Partsultan parts desk · 2026-10-24

A part number is a short sentence

An OEM part number looks like random digits, but it is built to a pattern. Once you can read the pattern, you can tell at a glance whether a seller's "air filter" number is really an air filter, and whether two numbers are likely to be related. This guide explains the patterns for the three makes we see most at our counter. If you need to find the number first, on the old part, the box or the logbook, start with our guide on chassis codes and OEM numbers: https://partsultan.com/blog/find-right-car-part-chassis-code-oem-number

Toyota: five digits, a dash, five characters

Toyota numbers have two blocks of five, such as 17801-21030. - The first block says what kind of part it is. All the Toyota engine air filters listed below start with 17801. - The second block says which version, so it changes with the engine, model or year. Real examples from our shelves, as of October 2026: - 17801-21030: air filter, KES 180, 32 in stock - 17801-21060: air filter, KES 250, 16 in stock - 17801-30070: air filter, KES 350, 18 in stock - 17801-0C010: air filter, KES 400, 7 in stock - 90915-10001: oil filter, KES 150, 29 in stock - 87139-06050: cabin (AC) filter, KES 250, 28 in stock - 23303-64010: fuel filter, price on request - 43512-0K100: front brake disc, price on request - 89661-26F10: engine control unit, price on request Same first block, same kind of part. So if someone offers you a "Toyota oil filter" whose number starts with 17801, something is wrong: that is an air-filter number. Some common first blocks to recognise: - 90915: spin-on oil filters - 04152: oil filter elements (the cartridge type) - 17801: engine air filters - 87139: cabin filters - 23303 and 23390: fuel filters (two of the fuel filter blocks we stock) - 04465: front brake pad sets On many newer parts the second block contains letters, such as 0C010 or 0K100. The first character is a zero, not the letter O. Sellers often type "OL" or "OC" by mistake, and a search for the wrong character finds nothing. If a search fails, try the other one. Also watch for numbers that are a character short. A real Toyota number has five characters on each side of the dash. If a listing shows 17801-2280, a digit is missing, so ask for a photo of the label.

Toyota left and right

Lamps and mirrors come in pairs, and the pair usually shares a pattern. For many Toyota headlamp units, numbers starting 81110 are the right-hand side and 81150 the left-hand side. Rear combination lamps often follow 81551 for right and 81561 for left. Always check the side printed on the part as well, because the pattern is not universal.

Nissan: five digits, a dash, five characters

Nissan uses the same overall shape, 16546-ED500, but the second block nearly always mixes letters and numbers. - The first block says what kind of part it is. 16546 is an engine air filter. - The second block identifies the version, often linked to the model or engine. From our shelves in October 2026: - 16546-ED500: air filter, KES 200, 9 in stock - 16546-73C10: air filter, price on request - 16546-V0100: air filter, price on request Other common Nissan first blocks: 15208 for oil filters and 27277 for cabin filters. Nissan brake parts often start with a letter, such as D1060 for front brake pads.

Mazda: three blocks

Mazda numbers look different. They usually have three blocks, for example PY8W-13-3A0, an air filter we stock (price on request). - The first block (PY8W) relates to the engine or model the part belongs to. - The middle block (13) is the system group. 13 covers air intake, 14 lubrication (oil filters), 33 front brakes and 51 lamps. - The last block (3A0) is the specific part in that group. So a Mazda oil filter typically has 14 in the middle, and an air filter 13. If the middle block does not match the part you are being sold, ask questions.

Aftermarket numbers and cross references

Aftermarket makers use their own numbers and list the OEM number they replace. Our FLA 5152 air filter, for example, carries cross reference 17801-21050. It costs KES 200 and we had 17 in stock in October 2026. The cross reference tells you what it replaces, not who made it. A part labelled with a Toyota number is not a part in a Toyota box.

Superseded numbers

Carmakers sometimes replace a part with an updated version and give it a new number. The old number is then "superseded". If your old part's number is not found anywhere, the part may have been updated. Send us the number and we can check what replaced it.

Frequently asked questions

Is the part number the same as the chassis number? No. The chassis number identifies your car. The part number identifies one part. You use the chassis number to find the right part number. Do all cars of one model use the same part number? Not always. Engine, year, facelift and market can all change it. That is what the second block tells you. My part has two numbers on it. Which one matters? Usually the one in the carmaker's format. Other numbers can be the supplier's own code or a date stamp. Send us a photo if you are unsure.

How to order from Partsultan

Search partsultan.com for the number, typed with the dash, or WhatsApp +254 791 371 515 with a photo of the label on your old part. We confirm the match and the price before you pay. Pay by M-Pesa. We deliver the same day within Nairobi for orders before 2pm and send countrywide by courier. You can also bring the old part to our shop in Industrial Area, Nairobi, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 7pm, and we will match it at the counter.