VIN Plate and V5 correlation

[Wheelz]

I had a letter from DVLA saying that the MOT test recorded a different VIN number than is on the V5, and they are asking me to fill in a form stating what is actually written on the vin plate, and also on MOT and V5.

The only difference is that the suffix BW is not on the VIN plate. I seem to recall that this can open a can of worms. Any wisdom on this as to what to do?

[new to this]

If you do send any page work to DVLA take photos of your pagework or there mess it up, ive now got a Dolomite and not a Dolomite Sprint

[Philip Wardle]

This is my suggestion, but someone else may have better advice from experience …

As far as I know, the VIN on the V5C Registration Certificate and Heritage Certificate should be the same as the Commission Number on the metal plate attached to the left-hand door pillar, and the “BW” suffix should be there for an auto. I reckon Triumph intended this to be the definitive location for vehicle identity and any other legally required data, for example they used it to show compliance to the British Standard B.S. A.U. 48:1965 standard for seat belts.

So assuming this is generally accepted, I would follow the DVSA procedure to get the MOT Certificate corrected to show the full Commission Number, I believe you can do this by contacting the MOT Test Centre within 28 days of the date of test.

Armed with this, I would reply to the DVLA letter explaining that you have asked the MOT Test Centre to correct the Certificate. They will be able to see the corrected Certificate by electronic means, and this ought to resolve the query. I would ask them to confirm that the query is resolved.

If you are outside the 28 days allowed for a correction to the Certificate I would reply that the MOT tester has picked-up a number from a separate plate on the body which has the same unique numeric sequence as the Commission Number, but which does not include the suffix letters “BW” or “O” as used to identify automatic or manual transmission. If you attach a picture of the Commission Plate showing that it agrees with the V5C I would expect DVLA to accept this explanation. If you also have a Heritage Certificate with the same VIN /Commission Number maybe this would provide DVLA with extra assurance.

[Goldstar]

I had a letter from DVLA saying that the MOT test recorded a different VIN number than is on the V5, and they are asking me to fill in a form stating what is actually written on the vin plate, and also on MOT and V5.

The only difference is that the suffix BW is not on the VIN plate. I seem to recall that this can open a can of worms. Any wisdom on this as to what to do?

I’m a bear of small brain and so a bit confused. What is on each piece of documentation? Your post implies that BW is on the V5 and the MOT but not the commission plate? If that’s the case how/why did the MOT tester come to put BW into the machine, it’s a manual entry?

[Wheelz]

Only the V5 has the suffix BW.

[Philip Wardle]

Thanks for clarification Wheelz, so on the face of it I'd fill the form in but I agree it would be useful to know about the can of worms first - unintended consequences?

[Goldstar]

So what does the comm plate have on it?

[Wheelz]

So what does the comm plate have on it?

It has the correct number but not the BW suffix ie it has LDnnnnn whereas the V5 has LDnnnnnBW

I think this suggests the VIN plate might not be original, or the factory missed out the suffix.

[jbuckl]

I ran into this on a 1969 rover.
there was a typo…. Had been there since 1969!
it was not possible for DVLA to correct it.
Ended up making the vin suit the paperwork.
Retained the original vin plate.

Corrected to incorrect vin was used for mot.

when dvla are helpful it’s good.

but when they can’t comprehend stuff it’s impossible.

[MandM]

Hi < E-mail Peter he will tell you what to do, as he deals with a lot of this stuff, if you don't get it right you could end up with a Q plate, that's what I have been told

[Wheelz]

Hi < E-mail Peter he will tell you what to do, as he deals with a lot of this stuff, if you don't get it right you could end up with a Q plate, that's what I have been told

Agreed. Email sent.

[jbuckl]

I ran into this on a 1969 rover.
there was a typo…. Had been there since 1969!
it was not possible for DVLA to correct it.
Ended up making the vin suit the paperwork.
Retained the original vin plate.

Corrected to incorrect vin was used for mot.

when dvla are helpful it’s good.

but when they can’t comprehend stuff it’s impossible.

[V8burble]

This is my suggestion, but someone else may have better advice from experience …

As far as I know, the VIN on the V5C Registration Certificate and Heritage Certificate should be the same as the Commission Number on the metal plate attached to the left-hand door pillar, and the “BW” suffix should be there for an auto. I reckon Triumph intended this to be the definitive location for vehicle identity and any other legally required data, for example they used it to show compliance to the British Standard B.S. A.U. 48:1965 standard for seat belts.

So assuming this is generally accepted, I would follow the DVSA procedure to get the MOT Certificate corrected to show the full Commission Number, I believe you can do this by contacting the MOT Test Centre within 28 days of the date of test.

Armed with this, I would reply to the DVLA letter explaining that you have asked the MOT Test Centre to correct the Certificate. They will be able to see the corrected Certificate by electronic means, and this ought to resolve the query. I would ask them to confirm that the query is resolved.

If you are outside the 28 days allowed for a correction to the Certificate I would reply that the MOT tester has picked-up a number from a separate plate on the body which has the same unique numeric sequence as the Commission Number, but which does not include the suffix letters “BW” or “O” as used to identify automatic or manual transmission. If you attach a picture of the Commission Plate showing that it agrees with the V5C I would expect DVLA to accept this explanation. If you also have a Heritage Certificate with the same VIN /Commission Number maybe this would provide DVLA with extra assurance.

[V8burble]

The mot tester at the vts it was tested can only correct mileage and colour in the 28 day window nothing more is allowed by the DVSA , if the vehicle record is incorrect in the system because it’s been tested before the the tester only selects t that record and not create another as this just adds to the thousands of incorrect vehicle records in the system the DVSA have to correct , ie a zero added to the vin as in the stags case denotes overdrive , this is a matter for the DVLA , the most the tester can do if inclined is to notify the DVSA help desk to report the issue for the presenter , hope this helps

[jbuckl]

The mot tester at the vts it was tested can only correct mileage and colour in the 28 day window nothing more is allowed by the DVSA , if the vehicle record is incorrect in the system because it’s been tested before the the tester only selects t that record and not create another as this just adds to the thousands of incorrect vehicle records in the system the DVSA have to correct , ie a zero added to the vin as in the stags case denotes overdrive , this is a matter for the DVLA , the most the tester can do if inclined is to notify the DVSA help desk to report the issue for the presenter , hope this helps

AKA they cannot resolve the issue.

With the 1969 rover, the owner had a failure to proceed with the test, until it was resolved (4 silly correspondences with dvla & a new plate making to match the 40 year old incorrect paper record!)