VIN number under drivers carpet?

prydey · 21-05-2010, 02:20 PM

i've recently bought a LS focus. these things have the VIN etched into the body under the carpet on the drivers side. there is a little flap that lifts up. can any of the owners of these vehicles have a look at their cars and tell me if that number looks to be stamped or if it looks a bit hand drawn.

the issue is, i had the car getting a vehicle i.d. check done yesterday. part of the procedure of getting it changed to s.a. rego, and the inspector has seen something to warrant seizing the car and handing it over to police for further investigation. they seem to spend much of the time focusing on the area in the drivers footwell, taking pics etc, so i'm assuming it has something to do with the body stamp.

the frustration for me is, the car's history can be traced back to new and the dealer i bought it off has confirmed with me that all the revs checks and v checks are clean.

i think someone has been watching too much underbelly.

Kryton · 21-05-2010, 02:36 PM

maybe it was used in a robbery, suspected drug car, hit and run - im sure there is a reason that they are interested in it.

prydey · 21-05-2010, 03:02 PM

the car was bought by custom fleet new. it was used by an elevator company. it has full service history with peter warren ford since new and then traded to the wholesaler.

all revs checks and v check came up clean

no doubt they have seen something but when the clown tries to tell me that s.a. is stricter than n.s.w, thats when i stop listening to him. besides, he just kept saying he couldn't tell me for legal reasons.

i'm just assuming that given the way they focused on the drivers footwell area (took pics too) that it has something to do with the VIN on the body looking like its been done freehand. was just hoping other focus owners could look at theirs and tell me if theirs were neatly stamped in a straight line.

Kryton · 21-05-2010, 06:22 PM

You would think that it would be stamped neatly, considering it is done by machine.
My VX II SS was stamped in the same place and the stamping was millimeter perfect.

Tj-zetec · 22-05-2010, 09:07 AM

Yeah it is pretty neatly stamped. But then again, some who's a little over zealous in trying to find something, anything wrong will pick up on the tiniest detail.

That's pretty crappy news but it is their job. Hope it all gets straightened out.

prydey · 22-05-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tj-zetec

Yeah it is pretty neatly stamped.

hmm, this could be the issue then. are VIN's on a national database or does each state have its own? the car's history can be traced back to new so find it hard to believe it is a 'clone' even though the stamping looks a bit odd.

DZFord · 22-05-2010, 04:36 PM

Wow, let us know how you get on.

I can confirm for you that my VIN is very neatly done - although it looks machine 'etched,' or engraved, rather than stamped.

prydey · 22-05-2010, 04:45 PM

i've been in contact with the dealer again who is adamant the car is ok. he is going to send me the REVS check on the vehicle to prove that side of things is clear. if it was a stolen vehicle, it wouldv'e been tracked down by now via the rego number surely. its had that number since new.

just the waiting game now. hopefully they contact me sooner rather than later. apparently it could be up to a month. meanwhile the in laws are housebound at nairne without a car.

even the inspector said there is nothing i could've done prior to buying that would've picked whatever it is they've found.

people often say the RAA (RACV, RACQ etc) are those that didn't quite make it as mechanics. i reckon these vehicle inspectors didn't quite make it as police. now they think they are saving the world.

prydey · 22-05-2010, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZFord

- although it looks machine 'etched,' or engraved, rather than stamped.

the first part of the vin is the same on all focus' i believe. AFADXXMJDD this part is stamped. the rest is the bit that looks 'etched' or 'engraved'. this is what i meant by hand drawn. maybe it is normal.

XR5-Boy · 24-05-2010, 10:58 PM

Checked mine. All nice and neat. Looks like the machine did it, def not hand done.

prydey · 25-05-2010, 10:41 AM

Is it stamped or engraved or both. when i said it looks like its been done by hand, i meant it looks like its been engraved, not stamped. the first part, which i believe is common to all focus' is stamped.

regardless, i'm yet to hear from them and have spoken to the dealer again who confirmed that all checks done on the car were clear and he will send through a copy of the forms. all a bit frustrating. i'm only guessing it has something to do with the VIN as thats where they seem to be looking. i can't think of any other reason for impounding other than they think it may be a 'rebirth' or 'clone'. if it was stolen (which it isn't) surely they could've tracked it via the rego number. even the VIN. its been rego'd in nsw since new!!

amusing how they pick on a stock standard newish car and yet i bought my modified eb v8 (no maf either) from nsw and got it through no worries.

Kryton · 25-05-2010, 10:54 AM

And the EB is of no real value - thats the difference.

prydey · 25-05-2010, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davway

And the EB is of no real value - thats the difference.

what difference does that make? its an i.d check. car value doesn't even enter into it.

DragonMesh · 25-05-2010, 09:15 PM

damn no facepalm emote...

prydey · 25-05-2010, 09:46 PM

after ringing office of consumer and business affairs, state ombudsman, and free legal aid, i've learned that transport s.a. have to tell me why they are holding the car. they cannot simply claim 'legal reasons' but must give me an 'act' or 'section' of a specific act. after ringing them back and letting them know, they divulged the applicable infomation. seems it relates directly to a stolen vehicle.

this was good news somewhat given that the car is 100% not stolen. a simple call to REVS or RTA would confirm this immediately.

its also been recommended i put something in writing to the commissioner of police outlining my experience and the run around i am getting.

obviously this has varied a bit from the original topic but when i started the thread i didn't actually know the reasons for the impoundment.

DZFord · 25-05-2010, 10:22 PM

It's good to see you're standing up for yourself here.

So if I understand this correctly - the Focus has not been stolen in the past (it is an ex-fleet vehicle), but somehow relates directly to a stolen vehicle?

prydey · 25-05-2010, 10:35 PM

the car was purchased new by custom fleet in nsw. it was then traded on a new vehicle. wholesaler got it from dealer who traded it and sold it to me. on top of that, the wholesaler (as part of his standard procedure), has done a REVS check and V check confirming the car is clear/clean.

i think the issue relates to the original topic in that the inspector maybe thinks the VIN is not original or been tampered with. rather than communicate with other states, they'll just look into it themselves in their own good time.

prydey · 29-05-2010, 09:00 PM

just to continue the story...

i wrote a detailed letter to commissioner of police on thursday. i also rang the local police station as transport s.a. keep flogging me off now saying its a police matter. the police were very understanding and the guy i spoke to said he'd send off an email to a couple of people who may be able to help.

got a call today from a policeman who unfortunately can't really help. he did tell me however that the actual issue is the last couple of characters on the VIN look altered or added?? i told him my story and explained how that car, regardless of VIN, can be traced back to factory and its definitely not stolen. i have proof of purchase, which also includes on the paperwork that the car has passed a REVS check. the wholesaler got it from a dealer who had it traded by the fleet company who bought it new.

to my surprise the cop said he was on my side and that this sort of thing was happening a lot. he said himself that these inspectors are going over the top. he told me a story of a mustang that had been restored by the 2nd owner who had a letter from the original owners saying it was his, and yet they still put this guy through the same thing i'm going through because they saw 'something'.

the policeman recommended i keep hounding transport s.a. and give them whatever papers i have (copies) to prove the car is clean.

not really getting anywhere but this is the first time someone has actually called me which was refreshing. haven't heard boo from transport sa. absolute joke.

jumbuck · 30-05-2010, 12:18 PM

If it was me I would be getting legal advice on the matter. Might cost you a few dollars but at least you will know what you can or can't do and more importantly what the authorities should be doing.

melbzetec · 30-05-2010, 05:13 PM

Or have a word to your local MP. Public servants hate it when politicians start rattling the cage

prydey · 30-05-2010, 06:59 PM

i have spoken to state ombudsman, office for consumer and business affairs, free legal advice, police.....

transport sa handballed in on to the police, saying it is now a police matter. the police, who have been the most helpful, have said to keep hounding transport sa, as they are the ones who put me in this situation. they recommended making copies of all paperwork i have regarding the car and anythng i could get my hands on from the dealer to prove the car's history, and go back in person to the inspection office.

prydey · 10-06-2010, 02:53 PM

another update...

sunday i was contacted by another police officer from a different branch after he'd been forwarded my email to the comissioner. he told me the normal process which is trans s.a have to send a file to the police who then submit that file to the forensic science people so they can then inspect the car. bear in mind this is some 2.5 weeks since it was impounded. the cop tells me they are yet to receive any file from trans sa!! how poor is that. unacceptable in my book and the cop agreed but not sure anything can be done about it.

monday the cop rang again to say he'd contacted trans sa but the inspector dealing with it was in mt gambier for the week. all the relevant info was given to him though so he put together a file himself and got the ball rolling.

long story short, he rang today to say its been inspected and his recommendation is that it be released. he faxed and emailed trans sa, and also recommended i give them a call, as he thought they should be on to it today or tomorrow. can't speak highly enough of the police in this whole saga. as for trans sa....

i rang them and got some grumpy bloke who said they are too busy to look at anything today and he'll look the file up tomorrow. i'll be glad to see the back of them. i'd love to be able to get something done about their work ethic but don't know what.

given its thursday, i don't expect the car back this week but hopefully next week, mother in law can finally have her own car back.

XR5-Boy · 10-06-2010, 03:38 PM

Finally some 'good' news. Although none of this should have happened. Trans SA need a kick up the poop shooter!

DZFord · 10-06-2010, 03:43 PM

Hopefully you finally get your car back next week.

As for Trans SA? Move to Melbourne - problem solved - you'll never deal with Trans SA again

prydey · 18-06-2010, 06:30 PM

woohoo, car is parked outside, registered and good to go. i'm just giving it a bit of a spruce up and service before i give it back to the inlaws as i didn't get a chance before.

in fairness to the inspector at the beginning, the VIN does look ordinary, and after being investigated by the forensic science people, it turns out it wasn't stamped correctly at the factory and was etched in by hand then. not sure if it was a one off or a batch but thats the story we got.

it doesn't explain the 3 weeks of silence and not even passing anything on to the police until i got on to the police and the police contacted them. very very poor form.

it had to go through the process again today, needless to say it was very straight forward and the inspector this time remembered the car (he wasn't the same guy but was there) and was actually quite reserved and apologetic!

oh well, alls well that ends well i guess. mother in law is very happy to have her new (to her) little car back.