VIN number length

[peterux]

The SVA requires a 17 digit number.

The welder who built my chassis has kindly provided me with 18 digits! The digits are all pretty badly stamped and coated in the powder coating.

Any bright ideas on how to remove one digit without bodging the whole plate or making it look like the number has been tampered with.

I think Stuart had this problem on his car at the SVA but I can't find any update on how he solved it.
My current plan is to try and fill the last digit with fine body filler and then respray the whole panel.

Anybody else had this problem or ideas?

thanks

Peter

[alackofspeed]

My 5exi has 19 (dunno why!) I was told by the SVA tester to flatten the last two, and paint over.

[peterux]

Originally Posted by alackofspeed

My 5exi has 19 (dunno why!) I was told by the SVA tester to flatten the last two, and paint over.

Thanks, John. So this is definately an SVA issue, even though I can't find anything in the manual?

On a Sportster, the plate is welded to a thin vertical panel.
How did you flatten yours?
thanks

Peter

[alackofspeed]

I left my 19 digits on the plate for the SVA, as I was under the impression having the extra digits wasn't an issue. The SVA man wasn't overly bothered about 19 on the VIN, as the first 17 matched what I wrote on the SVA form.

Perhaps "flatten" is a bit misleading, as the guy said "flatten - smack with a hammer, or rub out".

The tester did advise that I remove the last two digits prior to my DVLA inspection, but to be perfectly honest, I don't think I'm going to bother changing the plate, unless I have a problem at the DVLA inspection.

[limpabit]

I was told on the 5EXI, the last two digits is the year of chassis manufacture. When I took mine to the SVA centre, the SVA inspector was more concerned that the numbers were very unclear to read. Steve went there in his 5EXI (with the same problem, and the same SVA guy hit the roof. Saying the next one in like it, he will fail. He suggested number punching the correct number on the 5EXI at the windscreen wiper motor plate (on the right on the picture below).

[peterux]

Interesting, this seems to be a common problem?

Any other ideas?

Peter

[Stuart]

I did have the problem of 18 digits on VIN number but it was only a problem that i had written all of them on the SVA form, the examiner wasnt that bothered that i had a extra digit on the VIN plate only that it was on the form which we crossed out.


Stuart

[peterux]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I did have the problem of 18 digits on VIN number but it was only a problem that i had written all of them on the SVA form, the examiner wasnt that bothered that i had a extra digit on the VIN plate only that it was on the form which we crossed out.


Stuart

Thanks, Stuart.
perhaps i'll leave it alone and see what happens?

cheers

Peter

[MartinClan]

Peter

Have you decided what SVA centre you are going to yet? They all seem a bit "remote" from your neck of the woods. Luckily it seems I have one only 20 miles away at Leighton Buzzard. I might even drive it there - assuming I am ready by the summer....

Robin

[Patrick]

Driving to the test is fun, first time out on the road - if a little nerve racking

[alackofspeed]

It’s a funny experience – every noise is new to your ears, so you sit there wondering if it’s a good noise, or a bad noise! I did 140 miles to and from my SVA test, but had a car and trailer following should something have gone horribly wrong! The sense of smug satisfaction when you do arrive at the SVA centre, and the car hasn’t put a foot wrong, is hard to encapsulate in words, but if you could bottle and sell the feeling, you’d make a killing.

[peterux]

Originally Posted by MartinClan

Peter

Have you decided what SVA centre you are going to yet? They all seem a bit "remote" from your neck of the woods. Luckily it seems I have one only 20 miles away at Leighton Buzzard. I might even drive it there - assuming I am ready by the summer....

Robin

Actually, Yeading is my nearest and only about 7 miles from home if I take the main A40, a bit longer if I take some smaller roads. My current plan is to drive there on the day, but that's still a few months away.

Whilst we are talking about the SVA, do you think we will have to cover all those louvres in the side bonnets and stick rubber u-section on each one?

I'm starting to make a list of "Things to do before the SVA"...

cheers,

Peter

[Patrick]

Probably, I only had 3 on each side so I did them anyway! Don't forget the bonnet edges as well.

He made me cover the fibreglass edges under the bonnet as well, I did bother arguing but that's not an SVA requirement.

[MartinClan]

Originally Posted by peterux

Whilst we are talking about the SVA, do you think we will have to cover all those louvres in the side bonnets and stick rubber u-section on each one?

I hope not. I thought that as they were rearward facing they didn't count (Don't know why I though that) Perhaps someone else that has had the SVA "experience" would like to comment?

Robin

[alackofspeed]

I can't imagine them being rearward facing makes an ounce of difference - my 5EXI failed on the rear diffuser radius, and that is predominently under the car!!!

[MartinClan]

Originally Posted by alackofspeed

I can't imagine them being rearward facing makes an ounce of difference - my 5EXI failed on the rear diffuser radius, and that is predominently under the car!!!

That's a bit of a b*gger then....

[Stuart]

I have louvers along both bonnet side panels on on the bonnet tops. I didnt put anything on these and they passed no problem at all. So really it is down to the SVA centre and how picky they are.


Stuart

[MartinClan]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I have louvers along both bonnet side panels on on the bonnet tops. I didnt put anything on these and they passed no problem at all. So really it is down to the SVA centre and how picky they are.


Stuart

Which SVA centre did you use?

Cheers

Robin

[Stuart]

I used Taunton test station

[alackofspeed]

Originally Posted by Stuart

I used Taunton test station

Ditto!