Vauxhall Astra G Petrol (1998 - 2004) - Repair centre has lost VIN plates in engine comp'

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Thu 10 Jul 2008 10:30
Repair centre has lost VIN plates in engine comp' - Tron
On the cross member above the radiator that has the bonnet catch - there was two VIN plates when my vehickle went in for respray work to be done.

They have replaced this cross member (rust) and have not removed from the old unit the two VIN plates prior to disposing of it.

The repair centre is trying to tell me that they were not there when it went in (they were because when I purchased the vehicle I physically checked data on them against the log book).

They are now telling me that they are NOT a legal requirement and that the chassis number inside of the vehicle is sufficient?

I was under the impression that these two VIN plates as wll as the chassis number physically stamped in to the vehicle had to be present on the vehicle?

Where do I stand?
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Thu 10 Jul 2008 11:16
Repair centre has lost VIN plates in engine comp' - menu du jour
The main problem would be when you come to sell the vehicle. I have just looked at an article on this and there should be another of these numbers stamped into the metal by the driver's seat.
If you have the garage receipt for the work, you should be ok when you come to sell - if anyone should ask.
Again, if I were looking at a car, I do not think I would notice a missing plate unless there was a good reason.
Doubtless other learned Backroomer's will know more about this.
screwtape
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Thu 10 Jul 2008 13:16
Repair centre has lost VIN plates in engine comp' - Victorbox
Whilst I suppose an MOT tester can go rummaging around under the flap in the carpet to check the chassis number I think they much prefer to see the plate on the front cross member. There are companies around who engrave reproduction chassis plates for the classic car industry but whether you can get a blank plate from a dealer is another question.
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Thu 10 Jul 2008 14:32
Repair centre has lost VIN plates in engine comp' - Screwloose

An MOT tester should always check the stamped-in VIN. Anyone with a pop-rivet gun can swap a data plate in seconds.

Missing data plates are not uncommon and they can get destroyed in crashes; so you may be able to order a fully-stamped replacement from a dealer - worth a phone call, but they will need proof of everything.

Personally, in view of the age of the car, I wouldn't stress about it - just deduct a nice chunk from the body shop's bill for being gormless.
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Thu 10 Jul 2008 15:03
Repair centre has lost VIN plates in engine comp' - skorpio
If you start getting speeding tickets and fines, then you know some grease monkey at the garage used your vin plates on a cloned car.

The outfit sounds a bit low rent to me. Next time any part of my car needs renewing, I'll remember your tale and take appropriate action.
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Thu 10 Jul 2008 17:13
Repair centre has lost VIN plates in engine comp' - kithmo
The 2001 Astra G that I had didn't have any VIN plates on the crossmember from new.
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