Sold a death trap. pre purchase inspection con!

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Hippo said:
How long had the previous owner had the tratter?

Does the mot history for the registration match the vehicle?
mileage?
colour?
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

Use the vin to find original spec details:
https://www.vindecoderz.com/EN/check-lookup

Have yer searched on the web for the registration on the vehicle plates and windows, and vin number/registration marked on the v5 log book, to see what comes up?
registration "aa33 gkn" is different to aa33gkn when searching, as the space makes a difference sometimes

If it is stolen or you think it may be stolen then you need to contact the police. On a technicality you would be handling stolen goods, if it were stolen, as you are in possession of the vehicle (you bought it and have it currently). At the point/time of sale the seller would also be in trouble for handling/selling stolen goods, if it were reported stolen at that time. If you choose to go to the police yourself it will hurt less than them pulling you over, or seeing it outside yer house and choosing to do a spot check.

If you contact the seller or anyone else that may be involved in it's theft... make sure yer tratter is hidden/protected. It (the evidence) may suddenly disappear if they're worried.
Click to expand...
Everything you've quoted there has come back as matching mate, only discrepancy is chassis number which isn't there. The seller only had the defender for a few months, but claims he bought it in wales and drove it so England to sell for a quick profit. Through a bit of research, it looks like he does this with other vehicles.

May also be worth mentioning I have a folder full of receipts/invoices/MOTs for the truck matching its reg/info dating back to the early 2000's
 
J_Swan said:
Everything you've quoted there has come back as matching mate, only discrepancy is chassis number which isn't there.
Click to expand...

OK stupid question time , but are you looking in the right place for the Chassis number and have you taken a wire brush to the are to see if it is under a film of paint or rust?

Cheers
 
neilly said:
OK stupid question time , but are you looking in the right place for the Chassis number and have you taken a wire brush to the are to see if it is under a film of paint or rust?

Cheers
Click to expand...
I didn't look myself, it's just what the garage have said. Everything is so rusted/filthy it's hard to find. I'll do this in the evening, where am I looking?
 
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This is in the manual.

I would suggest you may want to download the Rave workshop manual. It will cover a lot of what you will have fitted. As it sound like you are going to need it.

Cheers
 
Also, Just in case , here is the page for the main number son the Engine , G BOX, T BOX and axles.

Cheers
 

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I got my defender cheap.
All the data i have on it matches up.
I've never looked for its chassis number.

Does this make me a bad person?


How many car owners know where their chassis number is? Indeed, how many car owners even know what a chassis number is?


I guess if some mechanic said mine had been ground off, id want to see. But, given my own, personal, experience, unless they were a specialist independent landrover mechanic, id probably just think they did not know what they were doing anyhow.


Im not advocating turning a blind eye to theft or anything like that. I just think its a little bit much constantly asking / telling (implying to) the chap that he must search for them, otherwise his soul will burn for all eternity (etc)

Yeah, yeah, i know noone has said that, but you see my point?
 
julianf said:
I just think its a little bit much constantly asking / telling (implying to) the chap that he must search for them,
Click to expand...

He is being told that the Chassis number and Engine number are missing by the garage he took it to, ( His first post). If I was in his position, I would double check that what I was being told was correct.

Plus having ALL the numbers and knowing what you have does help if you need spares or need to clarify something with a parts supplier.

Cheers
 
neilly said:
Plus having ALL the numbers and knowing what you have does help if you need spares or need to clarify something with a parts supplier.
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And if the correct numbers are there, the owner can start enjoying his tratter instead of worrying about whether he has done his money or not.
 
julianf said:
I got my defender cheap.
All the data i have on it matches up.
I've never looked for its chassis number.

Does this make me a bad person?


How many car owners know where their chassis number is? Indeed, how many car owners even know what a chassis number is?


I guess if some mechanic said mine had been ground off, id want to see. But, given my own, personal, experience, unless they were a specialist independent landrover mechanic, id probably just think they did not know what they were doing anyhow.


Im not advocating turning a blind eye to theft or anything like that. I just think its a little bit much constantly asking / telling (implying to) the chap that he must search for them, otherwise his soul will burn for all eternity (etc)

Yeah, yeah, i know noone has said that, but you see my point?
Click to expand...

I'm very glad you've said this, because I'm definitely starting to feel the same. I've got 20 years of history of the truck, all with matching reg, colour details, VIN, MOT details mileage etc at that point in time. I feel like I'm digging and digging, almost trying to create problems for myself where there doesn't seem too much reason to do so.
 
J_Swan said:
I didn't look myself, it's just what the garage have said. Everything is so rusted/filthy it's hard to find. I'll do this in the evening, where am I looking?
Click to expand...
If the chassis is rusty and filthy, I don't see how the garage can claim it's been ground off. If that was the case there would be a clean, shiney (relatively speaking) patch where the number was. Also, if you tried grinding a number off a rusty chassis, there would be a chance of grinding right through.

Col
 
Marmaduke said:
Off side front chassis area, can't remember if it's in front or behind the spring hanger but it's probably covered with waxoyl anyway
Click to expand...


Im not on about the chassis number but the other numbers dotted about the chassis, which give a clue about its age
 
Last edited:
Dug out all the old service history this evening which came with it, and managed to trace and speak to 2 very helpful previous owners. I got some pretty useful info too.

Firstly, it's not a defender, it's one of the last runs of the 90's. It has a 300tdi engine from a discovery in. I spoke to the man who owned it prior to the seller I bought it off, and he said he even told the DVLA about the engine change. I had a really hard look in the engine bay, and he's right! The number is there, and matches the log book and matches the receipt for the engine conversion. Good news!

I've managed to go back to 2009 now and can't see any signs of theft. I wanted to get under the truck to have a real good luck for any date stamps/chassis number but it's ****ing it down.
Will update when possible.
 
Can you let us know the name of the 4x4 specialist you went to, I for one will not be visiting them if they cannot find an engine number will be interesting what you find for a chassis number.

Cheers
 
neilly said:
Can you let us know the name of the 4x4 specialist you went to, I for one will not be visiting them if they cannot find an engine number will be interesting what you find for a chassis number.

Cheers
Click to expand...
i was thinking the same thing, frighteneing thought that they do not know where it is, and if they did not they could have googled it quick
 
The one thing I am gleaning from this post. Which is just confirming what I have often believed and suggested to peeps.

If you are not au-fait with old landies , then take someone who is, who you trust, when you go to look at them. It can save you a lot of headaches. Make sure as they look around it they are showing you what they are finding and seeing so you understand it.

Cheers
 
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