How do they check the VIN on an MOT ?

Dave Dyer · Postby **Dave Dyer** » 25 Jul 2009 08:59

Hi,

As part of my on going Grinnall project, I'm doing the welding/bodywork and have found the VIN number in the boot channel, but its very badly rusted and I can't make the letters and numbers out, the more I try and clean it up, the fainter its getting! My concern is, will this fail the MOT ?

Thanks, Dave

john 215 · Postby **john 215** » 25 Jul 2009 14:30

Hi Dave,
A V.I.N. is only required as part of the test for vech first used after 1st August 1980 (and certain kit cars and home built are excluded), as long you have either the number stamped into the bodywork OR on a chassis plate, best to have both if poss but will not fail as long you have at least one and it is readable.
Hope this helps,
Cheers John

LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!
1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6,ON THE ROAD NOW KICKING AR5E !!!!

jclay (RIP 2018) · Postby **jclay (RIP 2018)** » 25 Jul 2009 15:40

John,

I know that you are a MOT inspector. Maybe you could start a Mobile MOT inspection business, where you travel to different areas and do MOTs on TR7s and 8s?

Just a thought.

jclay

[url="http://web.mac.com/jclaythompson/iWeb/Site/Welcome.html"]My Triumph Site[/url], [url="http://web.mac.com/jclaythompson/iWeb/Technical/Intro.html"]Technical Stuff[/url], [url="http://homepage.mac.com/WebObjects/FileSharing.woa/53/wo/HJMTK8gsojtwKleP.1/0.2.1.2.26.31.97.0.35.0.1.1.1?user=jclaythompson&fpath=Triumph_Articles&templatefn=FileSharing4.html"]Download Page[/url]

john 215 · Postby **john 215** » 25 Jul 2009 16:37

Hi JCLAY,
What a great job that would be!!! I know of retired mechanics that test on several days of the week at different test stations. A test station, normaly a regular garage, will have a MOT test bay that is looked after by quality inspector, a sort of head tester if you like, he watches you carry out a test and as long as he is happy with you and the use of there equipment you can be added to his list of testers. Do this at a couple of garages and you could be a freelance tester!!
Would love to work on BL cars for a living [8D] or classic cars , instead of the BMW's i do now [:(] maybe when things pick up a bit.
I the mean time happy to offer advice on MOT's and if anyone local requires a test [;)] by someone who understands our cars!
Cheers John

LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!
1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6,ON THE ROAD NOW KICKING AR5E !!!!

bmcecosse · Postby **bmcecosse** » 25 Jul 2009 18:25

John - in your opinion - would a missing bump stop be a reason to fail an MOT ?

john 215 · Postby **john 215** » 25 Jul 2009 19:44

Hi,
IMHO a missing bump stop is not a reason for rejection, ie. i would not fail the car, however i would issue a VT32 to advice the presenter of the fact its missing. If i was missing due to corrosion ect that then would be another matter.
If your car fails on something you think is incorrect then ask for an appeal form, details are on the back of a VT30 failure sheet. If however the appeal is found in favor of the tester you will have to pay for the appeal!
Cheers John

LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!
1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6,ON THE ROAD NOW KICKING AR5E !!!!

bmcecosse · Postby **bmcecosse** » 25 Jul 2009 20:01

Thanks for that! Came up on another Forum- all sorts of 'learned mechanics' saying it would fail the car. I agree - 'advisory' only. And of course should be fitted asap - it's there for a reason!

Dave Dyer · Postby **Dave Dyer** » 25 Jul 2009 20:57

Hi John,
Thanks for your advice, I was hoping you would see my post! I feel better now and can carry on with the work.

Also I think a Triumph specialist MOT'er is a great idea, you would know just where to look and advise on problems before they arise!

Oh and Bmceosse, its a good job I'm not airport security, you could be accused of hijacking!!!! lol

Cheers, Dave

john 215 · Postby **john 215** » 25 Jul 2009 21:11

Hi,
I agree if it was'nt needed then they would'nt fit it!!
Out of intrest and to help you win against 'learned mechanics', this is word for word what the manual (testers bible!! ) states-

''Inadequate clearance of the axle or suspension with the bump stop or chassis, or
A suspension unit so weak that the body or other part of the vehicle fouls a road wheel or would do so if the vehicle was laden-

Note: a missing bump stop rubber is not a reason for rejection

Hi Dave, no worries, you always P.M. me if i do miss a post i could poss help on, goes naturally the same to anyone else.
Cheers john

LIVE LIFE A QUARTER OF A MILE AT A TIME!
1979 3.5 FHC(STATUS PENDING!!)

1982 2.0 DHC NOW A 4.6,ON THE ROAD NOW KICKING AR5E !!!!

gslittle · Postby **gslittle** » 27 Jul 2009 07:56

Hello

When my (imported) August 1979 dhc went through the MOT test for the first time in 2005, the tester had to be persuaded to pass the car due to a perceived VIN plate problem.

The car had no number stamped in the boot channel, nor the usual commission plate on the rear of the door. What it did have was the VIN number on the small piece of metal clamped to the windscreen pillar - still in its factory position.

This was deemed to be "too easy to remove" (and, by inference, substitute)so was the subject of much debate until it was (very) grudgingly accepted. Given that this was the only matter of contention I've thought little of it since, but people may want to be aware of this....

Kind regards

Graham

1979 TR7 TCT DHC 16V
Formerly...
1980 TR7 FHC
1980 Factory TR8 DHC
1980 Factory TR8 DHC Automatic
1977 TR7 FHC Parts Car
1980 TR7 FHC Parts Car

Hasbeen · Postby **Hasbeen** » 27 Jul 2009 10:36

The same problem in Oz. No numbers stamped anywhere, & a riveted on
plate not acceptable with an unregistered car.

If you have an old registeration, which confirms the engine, vin, &
rego plate number, thats OK, but without, you must have police
aproval, stating it's not stolen. This took 4 weeks to obtain with
one 7. We have a seperate system in each state, & unless you can
tell any of them the rego number, & the date it was last registered
in their state, they are very slow to help.

As I own a set of number punches this is no problem. As if by magic,
overnight, on the first night I own it, the vin appears, stamped on
the near side front suspension tower, of my cars. I'm told this
happens in other parts of Oz too.

Hasbeen

Cobber · Postby **Cobber** » 27 Jul 2009 11:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Hasbeen

As if by magic, overnight, on the first night I own it, the vin appears, stamped on
the near side front suspension tower, of my cars. I'm told this
happens in other parts of Oz too.

Hasbeen

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

[:0] Strangely enough, the VIN number fairy has been known to stamp numbers on my cars in the middle of the night too! [:D]

80'Triumph TR7, , 73'Land Rover (Ford 351. V8),
'89 Ford Fairlane
85'Alfa 90, 69'Ford F250.
76' Ford F100

gslittle · Postby **gslittle** » 27 Jul 2009 12:35

Hi

My first TR8 was imported from Canada to the UK via Holland. While in Holland it had the VIN number of an early "ACG" TR7 stamped in to one front turret top, by the previous owner I hasten to add.

This ID was taken from a scrapped car in order to get around the Dutch authorities' requirements surrounding the registration of imported cars.

What's strange is that despite the successful subterfuge, the car was still sporting its door-mounted commission plate and windscreen VIN tag and these hadn't been tampered with to my knowledge....

Curiouser still, it was that alleged VIN number that appeared on its first UK MOT certificate if memory serves.

Cheers

Graham

1979 TR7 TCT DHC 16V
Formerly...
1980 TR7 FHC
1980 Factory TR8 DHC
1980 Factory TR8 DHC Automatic
1977 TR7 FHC Parts Car
1980 TR7 FHC Parts Car

nadg63 · Postby **nadg63** » 27 Jul 2009 18:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Cobber

[quote]Originally posted by Hasbeen

As if by magic, overnight, on the first night I own it, the vin appears, stamped on
the near side front suspension tower, of my cars. I'm told this
happens in other parts of Oz too.

Hasbeen

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

[:0] Strangely enough, the VIN number fairy has been known to stamp numbers on my cars in the middle of the night too! [:D]

80'Triumph TR7, , 73'Land Rover (Ford 351. V8),
'89 Ford Fairlane
85'Alfa 90, 69'Ford F250.
76' Ford F100

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Funny that, think it has visited my 'new' car also ............. [;)]

macmattom · Postby **macmattom** » 09 Aug 2009 21:01

This thread as rasied a big concern for me [:0]. I'm doing an almost nut & bolt rebuild and haven't seen any such plates bearing VINs anywhere on my car. All I have is the number plate (VFE 704R for anybody interested) and the engine number (which might not even be original). Can anybody tell me where I need to look and what am I looking for [?]

Is this going to cause me problems when I go to either register or test the car, and if so is there anyway I can solve this problem before then?

Cheers,

Mac

The pheonix rises from the ashes - just give it time!

http://s733.photobucket.com/albums/ww338/macmattom/

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How do they check the VIN on an MOT ?

How do they check the VIN on an MOT ?

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