Where else will I find the VIN?

[heraldcoupe]

Sorry if this has been covered elsewhere, I tried searching previous posts without any luck.
I'm checking out a van this weekend, a Mk4 LWB. Other than the VIN plate in the passenger footwell, is the VIN recorded elsewhere on the vehicle? I have a few questions about this one and I want to make sure it started life as one vehicle....
Cheers,
Bill.

[gemini]

drivers side step, lwb sht, the year should be stamped inside on the roof rail corners

[Muddy Trucker]

The VIN should be stamped in the o/s footwell , unless the van has been reshelled at any time .

Check behind the stamped number to see if it looks as if it is original , Some ringers have the new number welded over the top and then have the plastic optional trim fitted to cover the welding leaving just a small window to read the chassis number .

[gemini]

Some ringers have the new number welded over the top and then have the plastic optional trim fitted to cover the welding leaving just a small window to read the chassis number .

some have had the complete step welded in

[heraldcoupe]

Thanks for the help, that gives me something to go on. It's never been an issue on my previous Transits, so I'd not paid too much attention......

drivers side step, lwb sht, the year should be stamped inside on the roof rail corners

Do you mean on the inside at the back? Just trying to picture this before I go prodding around someone else's van,
Cheers,
Bill.

[gemini]

Do you mean on the inside at the back?

here, on all the rails along the van

[heraldcoupe]

Brilliant, thanks again!
Cheers,
Bill.

[heraldcoupe]

Well I checked out the van, the Vin plate and stamped number in the step look convincing. No signs of any stamping in the roof rails, but it was all clean factory paint, nothing to ring alarm bells.
The current owner of the van said that he never received the full V5 document from DVLA, and when he contacted them to ask why they said the vehicle may need an identity check. This is what caused me concern in the first place. I have paid for a vehicle check, and the VIN matches the registration, and there are not records of the vehicle being a write off, stolen, scrapped, exported or any of the things that would put me off buying the van. I have dealt with DVLA many times in the past and I suspect the owner may have asked the wrong questions, hence the suggestion of a VIC.
I will contact DVLA by telephone before parting with any money, but I thought I would ask here in case anyone has any suggestions. I am confident that the current owner is being honest, given the clean search on the van I am wondering if DVLA have screwed up on this one. Not a lot I can do until Monday - anyone?
Cheers,
Bill.

[doughythevanman]

A VIC is only necessary when it's been writ off or cat c damaged. The fact that driver doesn't have the docs could suggest this to be true as the DVLA will not issue docs without the VIC being done. I would ask to be present when the seller calls the DVLA to gauge what actually is said to avoid missunderstandings between the 3 parties involved and if it does need a VIC they are easy to sort out.

[heraldcoupe]

A VIC is only necessary when it's been writ off or cat c damaged.

That was my understanding too. No signs of any damage other than dented arches (aren't they factory fitted????) and general wear & tear, and the the vehicle check is clean. I would have expected a VIC flag to show up in the vehicle check.
I'll make my own enquiries at DVLA on Monday. I'm confident the van is what it claims to be, I just don't want to have to jump through hoops to get it registered.
Cheers,
Bill.

[transitgeoff]

strange because Transits dont need a vic check, simple as that, vic is for cars only

[motorwise]

strange because Transits dont need a vic check, simple as that, vic is for cars only

don't they VIC commercials then Geoff? you really do learn something every day - off to the salvage auctions next week then

[gemini]

something dont add up or they would have sent it, whats the reg

[heraldcoupe]

Well I missed out on this one, joys of trying to buy on a weekend when DVLA is closed! Being positive, I may have saved myself a load of hassle, but gut feeling is that I lost a good van.
Nevertheless, I bought a suitable SWB 120 smiley last night. Not the prettiest, but hopefully it will do what I need. More questions to come about this one no doubt....
Cheers,
Bill.