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deadwesty
Samba Member
Joined: November 09, 2006
Posts: 261
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 Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:04 pm Post subject: CA DMV VIN verification question |
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An out of state titled westy that had its door jamb vin tag painted over.
We can see chassis stamped vin number, but it had the usual three numbers with “Z” instead. Can it be used as the second vin for verification?
It also has the sticker under fuse box for paint code, etc. it shows full vin number on it. Will DMV accept that too?
Appreciate any in put. Thanks!
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1986 westy syncro
1990 tin top syncro |
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jimf909
Samba Member
Joined: April 03, 2014
Posts: 8130
Location: WA/ID
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 6:57 pm Post subject: Re: CA DMV vin verification question |
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I'm not sure if your question can be answered by looking at CA DMV VIN verification documents but these may be helpful:
VIN verification form
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/verification-of-vehicle-reg-31-pdf/
Vehicle Verifier License Handbook: see page six for VIN identification which allows for: MFR label (for some imports) and Equipment List Label.
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/vehicle-verifier-license-handbook-ol-301-pdf/
1.165 Vehicle Verification
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/vehicle-ind...fications/
You may want to know these rules in case your verifier is not clear on them.
From my remarkably uneducated POV it looks like an untampered windshield VIN plus the sticker under the dash will have you covered. Free advice is worth what was paid for it. 
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- Jim
| Butcher wrote: |
| This is the main fault with DIY'ers, they get together on these forums and pat themselves on their backs spreading bad information. |
Guilty as charged.
Current: 1990 Westy Camper - Bostig RG4, 2wd, manual trans w/Peloquin, NAHT high-top, 280 ah LFP battery, 160 watts solar, Flash Silver, seam rust, bondo, etc., etc.
Past: 1985 Westy Camper - 1.9 wbx, 2wd, manual trans, Merian Brown, (sold after 17 years to Northwesty who converted it to a Syncro). |
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termuehlen 
Samba Member
Joined: May 02, 2012
Posts: 1027
Location: Redwood City
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| Posted: Sat Feb 10, 2024 8:57 pm Post subject: Re: CA DMV vin verification question |
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In late 2020 when Covid was in full swing, I was looking for some way to get a VIN verification for a vehicle. I contacted http://www.verifyyourvehicle.com/ and spoke with Don Pierson, who was super helpful. At the time, he said "A licensed VIN verifier requires all the stickers in place and readable to be able to verify any vehicle for titling in California." I would suggest that you give him a call or email and provide your specifics. I'm sure it won't be the first time that a VIN sticker has been painted over.
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hopkin
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Joined: June 25, 2012
Posts: 2542
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2024 5:55 am Post subject: Re: CA DMV VIN verification question |
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| deadwesty wrote: |
An out of state titled westy that had its door jamb vin tag painted over.
We can see chassis stamped vin number, but it had the usual three numbers with “Z” instead. Can it be used as the second vin for verification?
It also has the sticker under fuse box for paint code, etc. it shows full vin number on it. Will DMV accept that too?
Appreciate any in put. Thanks! |
Three "Z's" ins positions 4,5,6 of the VIN indicate a non-North American VIN has been assigned.
The configuration of the 17 digit VIN is/was different between North America and Canada and the rest of the world.
For example this chart shows VIN's assigned to Mexican built Beetles from 1993-2004.
Note the 3 "Z" used from 1993-1996 and then the switch to an NA compliant VIN in 1997. Also note that digit 9 in a North American VIN is a check digit while (in the case of this chart) it was set to '3' from 1993-1996, which is not a check digit.
The wikipedia page on VINs has more info ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_identification_number
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32983
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 8368
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Sun Feb 11, 2024 10:38 am Post subject: Re: CA DMV VIN verification question |
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| hopkin wrote: |
| Three "Z's" ins positions 4,5,6 of the VIN indicate a non-North American VIN has been assigned. |
VINs outside North America, and the VINs found stamped into the chassis of all 1981-1993 (or later) North American Volkswagens, contain four "Z"s. For North American VWs, these are merely filler digits. The chassis VINs were standard issue as the vehicles rolled off the initial phase of the assembly line; the only difference between these standard-issue model-year VINs is the sequential production number. Locations outside of the USA & Canada do not require the same VIN information and, therefore, use filler digits during stamping to make the initial assembly process easier and faster.
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"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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