Odd one

I’ve had my most recent Defender 90 300TDI (1994) almost 10 years. However, following a recent thread regarding Vin Decording I done a quick search. Everything appears spot on, the registration, engine type, everything except the year of Manufacture which states 1991. This is odd as the 2.5L 300TDI wasn’t introduced until 1994. When I check Logbook it confirms correct registration and Vin but manufacturer date as 1994. Surly, even in Britain it dint take them 3 years to build a car? Lol! Anyone else come across this? I would be worried if registration was different or engine, but the engine they show (is correct) but wasn’t introduced until 1994. Strange!!

Even stranger, when deciphering the VIN myself, it would indicate a manufacturing year as 1995. Thats 3 different dates. All numbers match, just manufacturing dates differ between Onlin LR Vin Decorder, DVLA&Logbook and manually deciphering. Is anything d er straight forward with Land Rovers??

if you want to manually decipher your own VIN number, this is a useful tool. https://www.firstfour.co.uk/land-rover-vin/

Bloody hell, is anything ever right with British Cars?! ‍ The LR Workshop Vin Decoder also recognised it as being manufactured in 1995. I give up!

The 1995 model year started in September 1994, it is the same with most manufacturers.

Rougharse Racing said:

The 1995 model year started in September 1994, it is the same with most manufacturers.

Click to expand...

Each record states a different date, 1991, 1994 and 1995. Which one will be the correct date?

Landyfox said:

Each record states a different date, 1991, 1994 and 1995. Which one will be the correct date?

Click to expand...

What does the chassis number say? 1991?
Does the chassis number match what is on the log book (not the dates, the actual number)?

mick 1986 said:

What does the chassis number say? 1991?
Does the chassis number match what is on the log book (not the dates, the actual number)?

Click to expand...

Yup. All numbers match perfectly and all appears to be in order. The issue is clearly how the VIN number is being decoded. As far as I can see, it is the 10th Character which indicates the manufacture Year. The 10th Character on my VIN number is an ‘M’ which is either 94 or 95. It is definitely not 91 as stated on https://www.vindecoderz.com/

Landyfox said:

Yup. All numbers match perfectly and all appears to be in order. The issue is clearly how the VIN number is being decoded. As far as I can see, it is the 10th Character which indicates the manufacture Year. The 10th Character on my VIN number is an ‘M’ which is either 94 or 95. It is definitely not 91 as stated on https://www.vindecoderz.com/

Click to expand...

Have a look at this one.
https://www.firstfour.co.uk/land-rover-vin/

mick 1986 said:

Have a look at this one.
https://www.firstfour.co.uk/land-rover-vin/

Click to expand...

Yes, that would indicate ‘M’ is 1995. Yet DVLA have the same VIN number record as 1994. All I can do is assume DVLA is correct as all my numbers match up perfectly, including engine number.

Landyfox said:

Yes, that would indicate ‘M’ is 1995. Yet DVLA have the same VIN number record as 1994. All I can do is assume DVLA is correct as all my numbers match up perfectly, including engine number.

Click to expand...

What year of first registration is on the V5? It could be that it was built in 94, but first registered in 95?

I think you will find dvla records are a bit hit and miss at the best of times, I know sometimes they call the car a land rover/landrover/rover etc.
So what you have is a 95 model built in 94 and ignore the 91 bit.

But if it worries you to much I will take it off your hands for 20 quid, after all you have had it for 10 years so you must be bored of it by now? doing you a favour at that price as well

lynall said:

I think you will find dvla records are a bit hit and miss at the best of times, I know sometimes they call the car a land rover/landrover/rover etc.
So what you have is a 95 model built in 94 and ignore the 91 bit.

But if it worries you to much I will take it off your hands for 20 quid, after all you have had it for 10 years so you must be bored of it by now? doing you a favour at that price as well

Click to expand...

Ooh the temptation. I mean Lynall why would I for one moment consider selling the old girl, how else would I blissfully spend ridiculous amounts of money constantly replacing and fix things.