Hi guys, I’m trying to solve a huge mystery regarding the provenance and history (of which I have much!) on a newly acquired Q plate Defender! The mystery today is the 9 character vin number on my V5- it stacks up with Landrover and many MOT’s have been passed over the years etc but 9 characters on an ‘83 year V5 for a mid 90’s Defender 300?? If I only had the V5 I would assume it’s very wrong all over but so many MOT’s, checks etc done it’s just madness. Anyone know why I have this vin? 8 numbers followed by 1 letter... I’m stumped.
The Defender Enigma
- Thread starter Jaspz2019
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Hicap phill
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When it was inspected could they have changed/added another?
You may only find this with another Q plate.
Does the vin look like a landrover black one ?
Have you searched with 1 less digit?
Good luck
You may only find this with another Q plate.
Does the vin look like a landrover black one ?
Have you searched with 1 less digit?
Good luck
Nothing appears changed (at least obviously) I’ve no idea what a black one means and the vin definitely connects to an 83 white Landrover, all attached to a mid 90’s white Defender! Even the engines are different yet mots are plentiful over many years- all seems mad. You would think an Mot might raise a flag? Military numbers?
Hicap phill
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Just from your early photos you can tell it’s not correct.(body work wise)
Not military stamp as the date of manufacture would be newer than 83.
Is the chassis galvanised?
Not military stamp as the date of manufacture would be newer than 83.
Is the chassis galvanised?
Not galv chassis, pretty sure about that.
Hicap phill
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@johnlad
But to get a Q this would/should have been inspected. You have to state all numbers
Axles,boxes engine etc. These can all be checked with landrover to match a stolen motor to parts.
I reckon some one has been driving round with an early reg & been pulled for inspection.
@Jaspz2019
How far back does the mot/ information go?
But to get a Q this would/should have been inspected. You have to state all numbers
Axles,boxes engine etc. These can all be checked with landrover to match a stolen motor to parts.
I reckon some one has been driving round with an early reg & been pulled for inspection.
@Jaspz2019
How far back does the mot/ information go?
Pappasmurf
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I once had a classic Mini. The reg and V5 said it was a 1990 City. The reg on all the windows said it was a Racing Green, it certainly looked like one, but I know these can be changed. The vin plate said it was a 1978 1000. I decided to make it right and I spoke to the DVLA. Their response was, "if you want to keep the car, hang up". So I did. I then changed the windows for unstamped windows, restored it to 1978 1000 standards, despite the fact it had an A+ 1275 Cooper engine in it. I then bought a cheap T reg ('78) private plate.
If it's a ringer, do your best to make it good, without talking to the DVLA.
If it's a ringer, do your best to make it good, without talking to the DVLA.
I’ve a purchase receipt from 2009 then all the info since then, around 6 mot’s, thousands spent on service with various garages, Land Rover specialist, old insurance stuff, vehicle check etc- I know the previous owner and before him his brother owned from 2010.
jamesmartin
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im my experience mots dont raise a flag with rung vehicles , i had several customers with rung landies had them mot for years it was issues at dvla that eventually bought the attention
Hicap phill
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Bit of a “cross post” I remember not seeing the vin plate where it should be.
So when you checked the chassis number to the V5 where was/is it?
There should be a stamped metal plate with the chassis number also somewhere on the motor. As this is required for an MOT your friends/previous owner will help informing you.
Have you any paperwork for the inspection?
So when you checked the chassis number to the V5 where was/is it?
There should be a stamped metal plate with the chassis number also somewhere on the motor. As this is required for an MOT your friends/previous owner will help informing you.
Have you any paperwork for the inspection?
I previously introduced myself as I joined the group and the conversation was similar, I was curious about the short VIN- my friend knows little of the of the vehicle really, lack of interest- he was given it by his emigrating brother who purchased it and began the paperwork I now have. He took it in for MOT and it passed without issue- I’ve yet to locate any id on the vehicle but haven’t had much of a chance just yet, it will be in my barn finally this weekend and logically my next step is to study it & hunt for marks.. must be something there somewhere, as you say the MOT required some correlation!? The paper work was a ‘my vehicle check’ but I don’t believe it was involved much past the V5- I shall search for numbers, must be somewhere.. I hope!! On the upside I didn’t really pay anything, it’s an interesting learning curve for me- I shall likely end up buying another and keeping this for a parts vehicle. The advice here has been most helpful, locations for my number search is the new topic for me.
norseman
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Sound advice from someone who still knew how to use their own initiative, he/she should be commended.
I owned a very old truck years ago, the vehicle weight & engine capacity were transposed on the V5
There's an old saying 'don't kick a sleeping dog'
Interceptorxj
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One should not but one's head in the lion's mouth!
Yes, a good friend of mine owned in UK before moving here then drove it across 2 years ago.
Are
Are your planning to French reg it...might stir up a hornets nest if you try as it's on a Q plate...
Are your planning to French reg it...might stir up a hornets nest if you try as it's on a Q plate...
I believe it’s possible, the chain of ownership to me is solid enough and I’ve not a lot to lose- been speaking to LR, DVLA, all clear as far as they are concerned- spoke to someone well versed (professionally) at import reg here and as a classic it may be viable! Only one way to find out I guess.. VIN is a match!
You would have no chance here in Portugal and probably in most EU countries...as far as I know you can't even put a private plate on it in uk...it's given a Q plate for a reason which is it's made up of parts from other cars and is not an original factory build...it is not a classic vehicle it is parts of various classic vehicle...
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