VIN number mystery.

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Chockster

Chockster

Member
Posts
88
Location
The Lake District
Hello fellow Landy fans.

I have a real noggin scratcher here and would love any input you can give me.
Ive recently bought a series 3 ex MOD 109 off ebay. When I got the V5 through it says year of manufacture 1991!!! now I know this isnt the case as series were only made up until 1985. (i believe it was registered over seas at some point)
Now here is the question. I want to get it registered correctly (so I can have free road tax and MOT)
so going off the vin number how can I prove the year of manufacture is earlier???
Does any one know how to read them? is it something a dealership could do for me?
Let me know. Thanks in advance.
 
Thanks for your response.
I’ll give them a try If all else fails but I’d like to save myself 44 quid if I can. The year it left the army and was first registered was 2001 the year of manufacture is stated as 1991. I think it’s a typo as even the dotgov MOT website says year of manufacture was 1981!?!
I might try a dealership or see if the DVLA have there wires crossed. Is there a way to read the year from the VIN???
 
Chockster said:
Thanks for your response.
I’ll give them a try If all else fails but I’d like to save myself 44 quid if I can. The year it left the army and was first registered was 2001 the year of manufacture is stated as 1991. I think it’s a typo as even the dotgov MOT website says year of manufacture was 1981!?!
I might try a dealership or see if the DVLA have there wires crossed. Is there a way to read the year from the VIN???
Click to expand...
whats the 10 digit

1980 - Date (Worldwide, except the United States)

  • All these years use the conventional Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

    Digits

    • 1 Geographic Region: S = Europe
      2 Country: A = United Kingdom
      3 Manufacturer: L = British Leyland/Land Rover
      4,5 (model)

      • LB = Series III, Stage I, Lightweight
        LD = 90 & 110, later Defender
        LH = Range Rover (mk I) (Classic)
        LJ = Discovery
        LN = Freelander
        LP = Range Rover (mk II)
        LT = Discovery, Series II6 (wheelbase)

        • A = 88" & Freelander, & 100" for RR mk I
          C = 109" and 1 ton
          G = 100"
          H = 110" & 147"
          K = 127"
          M = Special
          R = 110"
          S = Military 110"
          V = 92.3"7 (body type)

          • A = Truck Cab, Soft Top or Hard Top (Utility body)
            B = 3 door Station Wagon, or Freelander 5 door hardtop
            E = 2 door Crew Cab
            F = 4 door Crew Cab
            H = High Capacity pick-up (Some had an A instead of the H)
            M = 5 door Station Wagon & 7 Door SW
            R = Monteverdi Range Rover8 (engine)

            • B = 2.5l, 4 cylinder, Turbo diesel
              C = 2.5l, 4 cylinder, diesel
              D = 2.5l, 4 cylinder, petrol
              F = 200 Tdi & 300 Tdi (2.5 Liter, 4 cylinder, Turbor Diesels)
              G = 2.25l diesel & Freelander V6
              H = 2.25l petrol
              M = 3.9 liter V8 (injection)
              P = 2.6l 6 cylinder, petrol
              V = 3.5l V8 petrol (carburettor)
              Y = 2 liter T16 petrol
              Z = 3.9 liter Izuzu diesel
              3= 4.2 V8 petrol (injection)
              8 = Td59 (steering/transmission)

              • 1 = RHD, 4 speed
                2 = LHD, 4 speed
                3 = RHD, automatic
                4 = LHD, automatic
                5 = RHD, 4 speed & overdrive
                6 = LHD, 4 speed & overdrive
                7 = RHD, 5 speed
                8 = LHD, 5 speed10 (model variant/model year?)

                • A = up to 1983-1984
                  B = 1985-1987
                  E = 1988
                  F = 1989
                  G = 1990
                  H = 1991
                  J = 1992
                  K = 1993
                  L = 1994
                  M = 1995
                  N = 1996
                  ? = 1997
                  ? = 1998
                  W = 1999
                  ? = 2000
                  1 = 2001
                  2 = 200211 (assembly location)

                  • A = Solihull
                    F = CKD
                    V = South Africa12-17 (serial number)
 
That ... Sir... is... AMAZING!!!!!!!
SALLBCAH1AA
and spot on which puts the manufacture date anywhere before 83-84.
Thankyou!
I take it the last 6 digits are just the number of that type manufactured??
 
Chockster said:
Thanks for your response.
I’ll give them a try If all else fails but I’d like to save myself 44 quid if I can. The year it left the army and was first registered was 2001 the year of manufacture is stated as 1991. I think it’s a typo as even the dotgov MOT website says year of manufacture was 1981!?!
I might try a dealership or see if the DVLA have there wires crossed. Is there a way to read the year from the VIN???
Click to expand...
£44 is a small price to pay, an MOT is £54 so there is £10 saved already and £250 pa for road tax that's a grand saved in 4 years!
You could try and persuade the DVLA (not that you'll be able to speak to a human being to plead your case) that series 3s were built between '71 and '85 so it can't be a '91 etc but the dealings I have had with them has taught me is they want hard evidence.
 
Ahh yes. Sage advice there my friend. Im going to call the dealership tomorrow and see if they have any record they could give me...
For free :)
never hurt to ask. Im a total cheap-skate. Other wise I will look at getting the certificate to prove it!
Thanks for all your help/suggestions gentlemen.
 
On the MOT checker dot gov website. When I put the Reg in ( J, which is 91) it comes back as this...

Date registered: 31st December 1981.

Isnt the DVLA linked with this website some how? why would my V5 differ from that I wonder?
 
Chockster said:
On the MOT checker dot gov website. When I put the Reg in ( J, which is 91) it comes back as this...

Date registered: 31st December 1981.

Isnt the DVLA linked with this website some how? why would my V5 differ from that I wonder?
Click to expand...
They should be getting the info from the same source - should be! Print off a copy of the page and put it in your application as further evidence
 
wireman said:
1991 will probably be the year of first registration ie the date it left the army. You can buy a certificate from the Heritage Centre at Gaydon (about £44) if you give them you vehicle chassis number, you can then send this off to the DVLA (good luck with that) with your V5 and then they (eventually) will change it.

See here:

https://www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/archive/heritage-certificates
Click to expand...

My 101 forward control was disposed of by mod in 1995 and registered after rebuild by Foley 4x4 who bought it from mod...V5 lists first date of registration as 1997/manufactured 1975...
 
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