VIN number and NCT

richieg

Had my NCT and was pulled for not having VIM number visible (86 mini). I pointed out that the plate is perfectly visible on the inner wing but they said the chassis must be stamped.

I got home and checked online and to the best of my knowledge it is only ever stamped on the scuttle panel. My car is an 86 and I am guessing th scuttle panel was replaced as there is no stamp.

I am wondering what options do I have to fix this. Can I simply get it stamped and where would I go to do this or are the NCT guys wrong?
Is there somewhere that states the chassis number must be stamped on the chassis to pass the test?

mgbgt1978

They only started to stamp the chassis no. onto minis during the mid 80's.
So it's quite possible that your scuttle panel is original.
The easiest thing for you is to just stamp the number onto the car yourself.
The best place for this is inside the drivers door where the inner sill slopes down towards the floor. It should be fairly solid here (unlike the thin scuttle panel) so you don't have to worry about damaging a visible panel.
As far as I remember the NCT manual just says that that the VIN no. has to be visible...it doesn't state that the number must be stamped on but the testers seem to insist on it.
You could try having a row with them about it but it's easier (and quicker) to punch the number on yourself....they don't seem too worried about who stamped it as long as it's on the car somewhere.
If you don't want to buy a set of punches (Ebay) then most engineering or steel fabrication places will have a set.

mgbgt1978

The Vehicle Identification Number on the vehicle must
correspond with the information on the Vehicle Registration
File/Book/Licence Certificate. Where difficulty is encountered
in locating the Vehicle Identification Number it is the
responsibility of the applicant to establish the location of this

information on the vehicle.


The above is the only mention of VIN nos. in the NCT manual;
http://www.ncts.ie/pdf/nctmanual.pdf

While it doesn't specifically state that the number must be stamped onto the car I suppose you can take it that that's what they expect.

antodeco

I dont have the chassis number or VIN number on the car. They were removed during the restoration process. I have them in a small plastic pack in the car. Car went into the NCT, they never even looked for it...