14 replies to this topic

[Dirk2514]

Hi all, I just insured my mini as I want to get it repaired & ready for next year. I got insurance & along with it questions about modifications, as it has a mg Metro engine I’ve given the engine number. It also ask about the vin number, I have found that the number on the log book has a difference by one digit to the vin plate. The vin looks authentic but the second digit is a number where as on the logbook it is a letter. I spoke to the insurance people who advised me to speak to the DVLA. I’m worried my car might end up On a Q plate or worse. Any one got any ideas as to what might happen, thanks

[nicklouse]

what is the letter and what is the number?

[Itsaminithing]

There are thousands of V5s out there with incorrect details but if the info you've supplied is correct then in this case i can only guess that the VIN plate is wrong (it might not be the original factory fitted VIN plate).

 

The second digit should be a letter whichever UK model it is http://www.retromini...page=page&id=16

If yours is a genuine 1980 GT the VIN should be XE2D200******A              (& there will also be a plate stamped D200****** welded to the front crossmember)

https://classicregis...in-mini-1275-gt

Edited by Itsaminithing, 04 October 2018 - 11:48 PM.

[Bat]

Hi,

Mines got a letter missing from the start and says it's a van even though the chassis number says it's an estate!

Cheers 

[Dirk2514]

what is the letter and what is the number?

thanks for your reply, the Letter on the log book is an E. the number on my vin plate is a 2. apart from this the vin numbers match

[nicklouse]

 

what is the letter and what is the number?

thanks for your reply, the Letter on the log book is an E. the number on my vin plate is a 2. apart from this the vin numbers match

 

PM me the numbers and i will have a look as to what i think may have happened. also the year of the car as there some minor changes in how they did things.

[Dirk2514]

There are thousands of V5s out there with incorrect details but if the info you've supplied is correct then in this case i can only guess that the VIN plate is wrong (it might not be the original factory fitted VIN plate).

 

The second digit should be a letter whichever UK model it is http://www.retromini...page=page&id=16

If yours is a genuine 1980 GT the VIN should be XE2D200******A              (& there will also be a plate stamped D200****** welded to the front crossmember)

https://classicregis...in-mini-1275-gt

thanks for your reply, i will visit the websites you have gave links to. is it possible that the vin plate is off a different mini? do the numbers only differ by a single digit?

I have mot certificates back to the mid 90 s which give the vin number as XE then after about  2006 they have the vin number as X2 . ive got photo copies of its entire ownership its always been registered as a 1275 gt.

[Bat]

Hi,

I think in 2006 was when the MOT system went computerised.

The testers now only check the last six digits, the computer gets the information from the DVLA to print out the certificate.

Cheers 

[nicklouse]

often it is the V5 that has the wrong number but in this case it looks like the VIN has been incorrectly stamped not hard to get a new VIN made up if you want.

[Itsaminithing]

"is it possible that the vin plate is off a different mini?" ....Unless all the parts on your Mini are stamped BMW it sounds like you've got nothing to worry about

 

Chances are a previous owner had a new VIN plate made & they've taken the info off of the MOT certificate ( i think some plate suppliers used to use a copy of the MOT to verify the identity of the Mini).

This company use the logbook info so the new one would be correct - https://www.minispor...ine-number.html

Other companies are available.

[Dirk2514]

"is it possible that the vin plate is off a different mini?" ....Unless all the parts on your Mini are stamped BMW it sounds like you've got nothing to worry about

 

Chances are a previous owner had a new VIN plate made & they've taken the info off of the MOT certificate ( i think some plate suppliers used to use a copy of the MOT to verify the identity of the Mini).

This company use the logbook info so the new one would be correct - https://www.minispor...ine-number.html

Other companies are available.

Thanks guys, i feel a bit less worried about having a Q Plate on my car, i went to the links you provided and have looked at service for vin plates. i did find out that my Vin is apparently the one that would be on a car from between 1971 to 1975, its the one that reads Austin Morris Group, British Leyland UK. Which leaves me unsure what plate i need for my 1980 gt.    

[nicklouse]

 

"is it possible that the vin plate is off a different mini?" ....Unless all the parts on your Mini are stamped BMW it sounds like you've got nothing to worry about

 

Chances are a previous owner had a new VIN plate made & they've taken the info off of the MOT certificate ( i think some plate suppliers used to use a copy of the MOT to verify the identity of the Mini).

This company use the logbook info so the new one would be correct - https://www.minispor...ine-number.html

Other companies are available.

Thanks guys, i feel a bit less worried about having a Q Plate on my car, i went to the links you provided and have looked at service for vin plates. i did find out that my Vin is apparently the one that would be on a car from between 1971 to 1975, its the one that reads Austin Morris Group, British Leyland UK. Which leaves me unsure what plate i need for my 1980 gt.    

 

what you need to do is send off for a heritage certificate from BMH with the V5 VIN as that is the correct one. you will then know the year of manufacture which has zero relation to the year of registration and i would say your vin is closer to 1979-80 once you have that talk to https://www.minimail...sis-vin-plates/ about having a plate made up.

[Dirk2514]

 

 

"is it possible that the vin plate is off a different mini?" ....Unless all the parts on your Mini are stamped BMW it sounds like you've got nothing to worry about

 

Chances are a previous owner had a new VIN plate made & they've taken the info off of the MOT certificate ( i think some plate suppliers used to use a copy of the MOT to verify the identity of the Mini).

This company use the logbook info so the new one would be correct - https://www.minispor...ine-number.html

Other companies are available.

Thanks guys, i feel a bit less worried about having a Q Plate on my car, i went to the links you provided and have looked at service for vin plates. i did find out that my Vin is apparently the one that would be on a car from between 1971 to 1975, its the one that reads Austin Morris Group, British Leyland UK. Which leaves me unsure what plate i need for my 1980 gt.    

 

what you need to do is send off for a heritage certificate from BMH with the V5 VIN as that is the correct one. you will then know the year of manufacture which has zero relation to the year of registration and i would say your vin is closer to 1979-80 once you have that talk to https://www.minimail...sis-vin-plates/ about having a plate made up.

 

I think ill give the insurance the V5 vin number and get a plate made up at a later date, ive got a week left to return the forms to the insurance & i also have to give them the bhp of the car. i thought they might have been able to work that out with the modifications i gave them, as they are the experts and must deal with hundreds of modified minis. so looks like ive got to find a garage who can do test it for me. Thanks again guys, i havent been on here for a while as ive had the car on hold for a while. no doubt ill be asking for more help and advice in the near future, thanks

[Itsaminithing]

Doh!!! supplied the wrong link for the VIN plate, -too many windows open.... I really shouldn't try to multitask!

Ignore the 1971-75 date, various sites have different year ranges http://www.leacyclas...om/lmg1022.html

As Nick suggested get Minimail to make a new plate up.

 

EDit: Nick are you sure the Heritage Certificate will have year of manufacture?

Record keeping was good during the BMC (& poss BMH) era but was virtually non-existent in the 70's.

All the info Heritage could supply for my '71 was the VIN number, engine number, reg date, & colour.

 

Dirk check the boot lid lock & wiper motor, if they're original they will probably have the month/year they were made stamped on them.

Edited by Itsaminithing, 08 October 2018 - 10:35 AM.

[Dirk2514]

thanks for taking an intrest & advising me