Devon TRF Group Forum

GREGORYPEECK · Clubman B

WHAT A MUG

hampsterracing · Devon's Best

Thanks for posting this greg and reminding people to be cautious.

Dont panic yet as i know a few people who have had these letters and it has all settled out ok just admin errors.

Steve H · Devon's Best

This happened to me with an XR400 cry .

It only came to light when I sold it but, like Hampster says, it was just an error, soon put right biggrin . The sale still went through as well smile .

Fingers crossed you'll be ok, don't worry too much just yet.

delvey91 · Devon's Best

You say fundamental checks but how many actually do them? I can put my hands up and say i have never looked at frame numbers on the 20 or so bikes i have bought. Just unlucky to get caught out. Does it not match the v5 or mot as the tester could of put it wrong?

Slimie · Clubman B

delvey91 wrote:
You say fundamental checks but how many actually do them? I can put my hands up and say i have never looked at frame numbers on the 20 or so bikes i have bought. Just unlucky to get caught out. Does it not match the v5 or mot as the tester could of put it wrong?

Me neither!

I guess I've been lucky so far...

-Simon

jt · Powermonger!!

All been there - know what we are supposed to do but in the excitement it all gets forgotten hmm lets hope it can be sorted blankstare let us know how you get on.

Like hampster says good post and thanks.

Paul Farrow · Expert

Hope all works out well for you mate

maggotman · Clubman A

i always check when i sold my dt 125 frame and logbook on ebay the winner gave me an extra 40 quid to scrap the frame and just send him the logbook in the post rather than send the frame

GREGORYPEECK · Clubman B

I rang DVLA this morning with engine number and frame number taken from the bike.

They believe it to be an error from first registration that has only just been picked up and will send new V5 once they have confirmed this.

So hopefully that will be the end to it.

This incident has given me a big kick up the backside and in future i will be like Columbo when i buy a new bike.

Paul Farrow · Expert

Good news mate... keeping fingures crossed

hampsterracing · Devon's Best

Good news greg

i know of quite a few people who have had these letters all with this conclusion

i would guess DVLA have a new bit of software comparing numbers ...........

Simmo · Expert

Neither number on the CR500 matched the V5 when I went to buy it. By the time I got the new V5 in my name the numbers matched.

Steve H · Devon's Best

Several years ago the company i worked for bought 2 identical new Ford Focus'.
Several years later, when MOT's started being logged digitally, it turned out they had each others numberplates fitted at point of sale.
As we had both cars I just swapped the plates over & put a note in each cars history.
We part ex-ed one & the other still belongs to the company.
Also, in the early 90's 2 mates bought identical new bikes from Bridge. It was several months before they noticed the number plates were also identical hmm Good job they knew each other.
Goes to show mistakes do happen.

-- Edited by Steve H on Monday 9th of January 2012 05:54:41 PM

Tribey · Expert

Me too! My current KDX had a character missing from the VIN on the V5C and all the computerised MOT's. Fortunately it was only the 4th letter missing, not a number at the end like yours, which is far more important. I was buying from a colleague and I also knew the previous previous owner, so I was happy to buy.

The VIN on a bike this age should be 17 characters long, mine was only 16, but it still apparently didn't ring any alarm bells at DVLA. They quickly changed it and returned an updated V5C when I wrote to them, although they declined my offer of a photograph or inspection. I don't know whether it was an error on the original paperwork completed by the dealer or DVLA.

With 3 million stolen blank 'blue' V5C's out there, it has been easy to get caught out and buy a 'cloned' stolen vehicle, even if you've checked the V5C and the numbers have matched. DVLA are now in the process of re-issuing all V5C's replacing blue with red. See http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSellingAVehicle/AdviceOnBuyingAndSellingAVehicle/DG_4022402

doh ! · Clubman A

my mate had the same on his 530 ktm turned out the dvla had entered it wrong at new only came to light at its first mot so 3 years old

Tim · Clubman B

Greg, when I was thinking of buying my WR long distance the seller read the chassis and frame number to me over the phone as I wanted to run it by Yamaha to see if it was an imported bike. When I called Yamaha they were completely bewildered as the VIN only had 16 digits and not the required 17. I went back to the seller who read the 17 digit number off the bike and Yamaha confirmed that the engine and actual chassis number went together and yes, it was a USA machine. I got the seller to MOT the bike before I bought it and it went through without a hitch. A finance check was also ok.

Your story has reminded me to get it sorted with the DVLA. The 16 digit V5 chassis number is very similar to the actual 17 digit number with a discrepancy in the middle and I'm hoping Swansea will amend the documentation without a hitch.

I just sold the XR250 to an officer of the law (plain clothes) who wasted no time rolling around on the drive with a torch inspecting frame and engine numbers.

We all know that we should do it but how many do? I've bought a few vehicles in my time and the WR was the first one I actually checked.

Pete · Devon's Best

Outside South Brent bike breakers I was approached by a bloke who asked if I wanted to buy his XS750 triple.The asking price was so low I went over to the bike and looked for the frame number and inspected the crude chisel marks which had obliterated it. When I had finished laughing I told him to piss off.

GREGORYPEECK · Clubman B

Just got a new V5C through the post with correct frame and engine numbers on which is a relief.

Still as i said hopefully i have learnt my lesson

Greg