I probably should have just bought a used Civic. Shipping cars from England just doesn't seem to be worth it. I was told that my 1980 Austin Mini is too old to have a VIN and didn't think much of it. Now I'm being told that not only does it has to have a VIN to get through customs, but that they did have VINs in the UK in 1980.

Can someone tell me where I'm going to have to look to find the VIN? There is also a 17 digit number on my bill of lading that is where *a* VIN should go, but it doesn't seem to be valid (on the online VIN checks that I tried). What should it's number look like?

I hope I'm not buying a stolen car. I can't afford to ship it back.

~Melissa

 

Classic Minis did have VINs, going way back. My car came from England, is registered as a 1978 and the VIN looks like this: XE2D2479nnn where the nnn is 3 more digits.

There should be a compliance plate with the VIN stamped into it riveted somewhere easily spottable under the bonnet. Mine is on the cross-member above the grille.

The VIN will most likely be rejected by any US automated system. Too short if nothing else, but the cars weren't sold in the US, so the VINs aren't likely to be in the system. Several of the US Mini parts places sell blank compliance plates that you can have stamped with your VIN (once you determine what it is) and mount to the car.

 

You must have a VIN or you will not get through customs, our numbers do not work with the carfax types searches, but there is a pile of info at, http://www.minimania.com/web/SCatago...9/ArticleV.cfm
Mine is on the left side facing you as you open the bonnet, but I've also seen them on the firewall, should look like this, Manuel

 

If there is no VIN plate inside the engine bay, look at the top right gutter in the engine bay (where the back of the bonnet closes). The MINIs in the 80s also had it stamped there as well. It may have been painted over to hide it's true age.

Well I hope everything works out for you. BTW - Who sold you the vehicle without a VIN?

Cheers,

Ash