Long wait is over!

 

 

Very pleased with it! Only odd thing is the chassis plate is missing....slightly concerning. Thought it looks like it's been gone for a while. I assume it had to go through various checks in Japan though so.....

 

Any thoughts?

 

An update on this, gazwoz has been very timely in trying to get some information on this. Seems it was issued a number by the Japanese government, and it is engraved on the strut in the engine bay. It's a short number with a Japanese character "fuku" either end. Which explains how it was exported. Wondering whether anyone has seen anything like this before?

 

Can anyone else confirm that the chassis number is not stamped anywhere else?

 

That still doesn't sound right to me. Do you have the export cert?

I take it this car wasn't bought from a public auction but I would be interested to know how this wasn't picked up before the car came half way across the world...

I know it's almost like it's on purpose isn't it!

Well I mean. Why else would someone grind off a vin number. It's obviously on purpose imo.

Well I mean. Why else would someone grind off a vin number. It's obviously on purpose imo.

Was in reference to the "new number" having "fuku" in it

Was in reference to the "new number" having "fuku" in it

Oh :lol: my bad

 

The word fuku is Japanese is a general term meaning happiness,good fortune

 

That still doesn't sound right to me. Do you have the export cert?

I take it this car wasn't bought from a public auction but I would be interested to know how this wasn't picked up before the car came half way across the world...

Yes and this number is written in it as the identification number. Was won through one of the auction houses so I suppose that counts as public

Yes and this number is written in it as the identification number. Was won through one of the auction houses so I suppose that counts as public

 

In that case the VIN would have been recorded on inspection and something like this certainly would have been noted. Even if not, I understand that the auction house would be liable and you would have plenty of recourse... Assuming the car was still in the country when this was noticed, at least.

Given you don't acctually have the official vin for the car, you might find this reassuring:

When you may need a new VIN or registration

 

You may be able to keep its original registration number if you can prove the vehicle’s original VIN. If you can’t, you’ll have to apply for a replacement identity number.

DVLA will give you an authorisation letter to get the vehicle stamped with the new VIN if your vehicle passes its assessment.

You then need to register the vehicle - you can only do this when DVLAreceives confirmation it’s been stamped with the correct VIN.

 

This is of course after the car is assessed by the DVLA. If you fail with getting a new VIN, thats when you really need to get the auction house involved.

Edited August 29, 20169 yr by Alic

That's not a normal VIN anyway. There's probably some explanation on the sheet.

 

the bottom line here is how ever you look at it a car with no vin and even if its ends up on a q plate the value of the car will drop for sure who ever you got the car off i would demand the money back you didnt ask or was told of this before you payed for the car its out of order and not down to you to sort it no way its this rite or fair for that matter you could be stuck with a total lemon here get your money back

Yea I had just read that Ali, the export certificate has what is supposedly the original chassis number on it so I'm wondering whether it would be enough for the dvla to allow me to stamp it back on.

 

I did get sent a translation of the sheet and it doesn't say anything about it. So I'm wondering what the auction house would do if I said the car wasn't described properly. If I can get a partial refund and the dvla let me re-stamp the number (big if at this stave of course), then have I lost out? Possibly not.

 

The exchange rate has plummeted and prices are rising all the time so if I can get it sorted then it might be worth it. It is going to cost me a lot more to get a car of similar condition I think, even if I could get a full refund.

the bottom line here is how ever you look at it a car with no vin and even if its ends up on a q plate the value of the car will drop for sure who ever you got the car off i would demand the money back you didnt ask or was told of this before you payed for the car its out of order and not down to you to sort it no way its this rite or fair for that matter you could be stuck with a total lemon here get your money back

 

Agreed, I would not even be considering putting this on the road. What happens if you do and in the future you want to sell it? Whoever looks at that scratched off VIN will walk away

^^ Same as above.

If I can get permission to revert to the original vin, there won't be a scratched off vin and it will all be legal and above board.

 

I seriously doubt I could get a full refunding for everything I've paid, so what would you have me do? What's the alternative? If the choice is break it for a few pennies or get it on the road, the choice to me is obvious, regardless of what any future buyer might think as at least I can still enjoy it. And like I said another will will cost a fortune I think. I don't see what issue there is if I can legally revert everything to original. If I can't, that's a different story.

 

That's not to say I won't try and get a full refund. I certainly don't want it on a Q plate.

 

I've got to wait until we get a report on the cars history from Japan before I do anything anyway, and none of what I'm hoping may be possible. Just thinking about my options

I think a long hard chat with the importer needs to occur, not that I'm saying it's his fault but as the importer some responsibility must be taken as you haven't really got what you paid for and imho your entitled to some form of compensation.

If I can get permission to revert to the original vin, there won't be a scratched off vin and it will all be legal and above board.

 

Who is going to give you permission? How do you or anyone else know the "original" VIN (on a piece of paper?) is the one that matches

the removed VINs on the car?

 

Without a VIN you have no record of the history of the car - was it stolen or written off in Japan. The VIN was removed for a reason.

 

Did you import the car yourself or through a third party?

Edited August 29, 20169 yr by AndrewG

I think a long hard chat with the importer needs to occur, not that I'm saying it's his fault but as the importer some responsibility must be taken as you haven't really got what you paid for and imho your entitled to some form of compensation.

 

I don't expect he was trying to rip anyone off, but he most definitely is at fault. If the car was purchased from a reputable auction house then even if this was an oversight it could've been sorted.

 

I think it's a completely reasonable expectation that an import agent would have the car thoroughly inspected immediately after purchase, or have their partners do so in the case of a foreign agent. That was my own experience and was the only reason I would pay commission for such a service.

 

Realistically this car has probably been written off at a minimum. It may not even be much of an issue, but it will devalue the car. I definitely would not be accepting it.

 

To be fair let's wait and see how this develops before I say anymore. The man in question has been a great asset to the club so far in my opinion.

I think a long hard chat with the importer needs to occur, not that I'm saying it's his fault but as the importer some responsibility must be taken as you haven't really got what you paid for and imho your entitled to some form of compensation.

 

Yes he is currently chasing up trying to get some more information on the history so will have to decide what to do once he gets the history. That's the question though isn't it, right now no I don't feel I've got what I've paid for and feel like I've been royally mugged.

 

Who is going to give you permission? How do you or anyone else know the "orginal" VIN (on a piece of paper?) is the one that matches

the removed VINs on the car?

 

Without a VIN you have no record of the history of the car - was it stolen or written off in Japan. The VIN was removed for a reason.

 

Did you import the car yourself or through a third party?

 

From what I have read, the DVLA may give you permission to stamp the vin if you can prove it. But yes I don't know whether they will take the Japanese governments word for it as I have it on the export certificate. As far as I know that is a government issued document so I assume we can trust it. I have asked where this number has come from. Just looking at the options, though I imagine it will be a real hassle and possibly expensive to go down this route.

 

From what we know at the moment, it was issued with a new identification number by the government. It appears as though it is not an unknown car, and that it's history has been checked when it was exported. I have been told this number, it matches the export certificate and is engraved in the chassis. So that's the point, supposedly we do know the history of the car and it cannot be stolen or illegal. But as I have said, waiting for confirmation.

 

Imported with gazwoz, he handled/is handling everything (and has been good so far) and I have only ever paid him, no one else.

 

Just trying to stay calm and think rationally at the moment to be honest!

I don't expect he was trying to rip anyone off, but he most definitely is at fault. If the car was purchased from a reputable auction house then even if this was an oversight it could've been sorted.

 

I think it's a completely reasonable expectation that an import agent would have the car thoroughly inspected immediately after purchase, or have their partners do so in the case of a foreign agent. That was my own experience and was the only reason I would pay commission for such a service.

 

Realistically this car has probably been written off at a minimum. It may not even be much of an issue, but it will devalue the car. I definitely would not be accepting it.

 

To be fair let's wait and see how this develops before I say anymore. The man in question has been a great asset to the club so far in my opinion.

 

Agreed rather ackward position for both parties.

My hunch is it's a stolen car, if it was a write off the effort to repair would likely of been higher than ringing it. No real effort has been made to make a new identity, the firewall has simply had the chassis number ground off, not even a lick of paint to hide it. I very much doubt the law would be interested though, it's not going back now is it.

Feel sorry for you Chris and really hope this hurdle is passed.

Edited August 29, 20169 yr by Stephen

Yes he is currently chasing up trying to get some more information on the history so will have to decide what to do once he gets the history. That's the question though isn't it, right now no I don't feel I've got what I've paid for and feel like I've been royally mugged.

 

 

 

From what I have read, the DVLA may give you permission to stamp the vin if you can prove it. But yes I don't know whether they will take the Japanese governments word for it as I have it on the export certificate. As far as I know that is a government issued document so I assume we can trust it. I have asked where this number has come from. Just looking at the options, though I imagine it will be a real hassle and possibly expensive to go down this route.

 

From what we know at the moment, it was issued with a new identification number by the government. It appears as though it is not an unknown car, and that it's history has been checked when it was exported. I have been told this number, it matches the export certificate and is engraved in the chassis. So that's the point, supposedly we do know the history of the car and it cannot be stolen or illegal. But as I have said, waiting for confirmation.

 

Imported with gazwoz, he handled/is handling everything (and has been good so far) and I have only ever paid him, no one else.

 

Just trying to stay calm and think rationally at the moment to be honest!

 

Stolen recovered then I'd guess.

the car should be returned to the importer ie the trader and full refund should be given and then and only then if the trader sorts it out you can give the money and pick up the car if it was me i would get the money and run sounds like trouble you dont need to face

Agreed rather ackward position for both parties.

No real effort has been made to make a new identity, the firewall has simply had the chassis number ground off, not even a lick of paint to hide it.

The effort to give it a new identifcation was to engrave the "identifcation number" on the strut tower Chris said, Which might have been what Japan issues as a new VIN but the hunch is that it if it is just a string of numbers then i'm pretty sure that cannot qualify as a VIN in UK.

 

Stolen recovered then I'd guess.

Thats what I would say too; Stolen and number ground off, either while stolen or after recovered it is given a new identifcation number on the strut tower.

Personally, knowing Garry as I do, I would hold fire on any rash statements or action. Garry has provided many exemplary cars with absolutely no problem to several club members here in the recent past and I am 100% sure he will go out of his way to help Chris resolve this issue amicably. Chris, I totally sympathise mate, I hope you and Garry keep up an open discussion and let Garry do what he does best, sift through all the importation issues and help find a solution, i'm sure he will want to sort this all out as much as you do I guess. Hope it all gets sorted out soon for you Chris and you can get on with enjoying your Zed mate. She looks great.

Personally, knowing Garry as I do, I would hold fire on any rash statements or action. Garry has provided many exemplary cars with absolutely no problem to several club members here in the recent past and I am 100% sure he will go out of his way to help Chris resolve this issue amicably. Chris, I totally sympathise mate, I hope you and Garry keep up an open discussion and let Garry do what he does best, sift through all the importation issues and help find a solution, i'm sure he will want to sort this all out as much as you do I guess. Hope it all gets sorted out soon for you Chris and you can get on with enjoying your Zed mate. She looks great.

 

Agreed.

Personally, knowing Garry as I do, I would hold fire on any rash statements or action. Garry has provided many exemplary cars with absolutely no problem to several club members here in the recent past and I am 100% sure he will go out of his way to help Chris resolve this issue amicably. Chris, I totally sympathise mate, I hope you and Garry keep up an open discussion and let Garry do what he does best, sift through all the importation issues and help find a solution, i'm sure he will want to sort this all out as much as you do I guess. Hope it all gets sorted out soon for you Chris and you can get on with enjoying your Zed mate. She looks great.

Yep he's been really good so far, no complaints there

i don't think you will have much luck with the auction house to be honest, i've never seen anything like that in all my time of importing but hopefully there is a rational explanation behind it [ATTACH=CONFIG]100813[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]100814[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]100815[/ATTACH] Car was bought at USS Yokohama on the 14th June if you need help tracing it