Motorcycle Forum / Country Specific / UK Group / August 2007

Just had a letter from the the DVLA referring to the Ape's MoT and
headed:

Vehicle reg X123ABC//X124ABC

(ie: two consecutive number plates).

Seems the MoT doesn't match the VIN number. I always, always always
check but this time, as the bloke selling I was one of the honchos at a
bike shop, I didn't, and I was in a hurry. It had the V5, current MoT,
old MoT....

He had two for sale, so I rang him last night, and yep, the other one is
consecutively registered. One digit previous. And it's the number
mentioned on the DVLA letter.

My V5 and *old* MoT bear the wrong VIN number.

Turns out he has just MoT'd the other one, and is now going to check the
VIN number on it. I *bet* it's the VIN I've got.

Somewhere along the line, and probably when they were both first
registered in 2000, there was a hiccup. Of course, the MoT station
*should* have read the VIN number off the VIN plate and put it on the
MoT, but I bet they just took it off the old MoT, or maybe the V5 (I had
to hunt like hell for it - it's under the seat. Where the choke is,
amusingly enough).

Or the number plates possibly got swapped over at some point (remember
both were supposedly being used as airport vehicles in the past).

In theory, we ought to be able to swap the two MoTs, correct the VIN
numbers on both V5s, and send all the details to the DVLA in one lot.
But I am having a nasty feeling that it may be complicated. It's not
dishonesty - the dealer, Taylors, has been in business for 60 years.

So..... a few questions for the FOAK:

1. Why didn't the incorrect VIN number show up when the thing was being
MoT'd? Doesn't the new computerised system show this?

2. Will not taking the VIN number from the vehicle itself cost the MoT
station its ticket?

3. Likely outcome with the DVLA guesses?

4. Although it was a private Ebay sale, what responsibility does the
dealership itself have? ISTR that it's an offence to sell any dodgy[1]
vehicle from a dealer's premises, private sale or not.

[1] Not that I think there's been any nefarious intent here, I stress.
But MoTing and selling a vehicle that isn't the one it should be is a
bit silly.