VIN numbers

[Shaun II]

Is anyone aware of any rules dictating what size the vin number should be when stamped onto the chassis? People who should know are telling me I can just get hold of a set of punches and tap it out myself.

[strat6v]

I would have thought as long as they were easily read and permanently stamped then they should be ok.

Try machine mart for a full set of letter punches.

[Sando]

Hi Shaunie
I believe it's not less than 4mm? Thats the requirement for Commercial vehicles in their part of the SVA manual. So a set of DIY Stamps should be ok ......Can't find it in the normal SVA text. :confused:

I stamped mine to an alloy plate and riveted it to the Chassis up front as it was hard to see on the rear corner of the Chassis. (and very feint under the powdercoat) but that was just stamped in by hand originally anyway. Its not as if you are doing anything wrong, just ensuring it is stamped in multiple places on the Chassis......which can't be a bad thing?

I think it's more important to them (DVLA) that it's an identifying mark that isn't going to be duplicated. (min 9 digits rings a bell somewhere, but that could be something to do with work passwords :o ))
The Standard Hawk numbers are fine with initials / year month / number etc. I think it was checked in the SVA test but it was the reg process inspection that it was really looked for and checked on the back too.

Bobster

[vindi49]

Hi there,
at last ... something I know a bit about!!

SVA centres are hard to pin down on this, as the rules are a bit grey!! The most acurate answer I can give to your question is "It depends which SVA centre you're going to"!!
The last car I put through the SVA (July 2005, Shrewsbury) had a 12 digit code (Letters & numbers) stamped onto a steel plate, which was rivetted onto the chassis.
This was fine then but I've just been informed that the rules have changed and the next one (going in end of next week, Nottingham) will have to have the plate welded onto the chassis to be acceptable, along with the chassis no. stamped in two other places. Shrewsbury will still pass one with a single rivetted plate at the moment, but say they are looking into it and may update their rules... but won't say when.

The only sure fire way to guarantee this bit passes is to telephone the actual centre you will be going to, and ask them what their rule is... and do this just before the test is due, so they have no time to change the rules on you!!

Probably not the answer you were looking for, as it is nigh on impossible to speak to any of the centres on the phone... if your test is not pretty soon, then I'd leave it if you can, in case the rules change again!!
Feel free to PM me as I know a few people in the trade who have direct dial numbers for some of the centres,

Alternatively, stamp the chassis in 3 places, rivet on 4 alloy plates and 3 steel ones and weld 7 more plates on for good measure, belt & braces all the way I say!!

Russell.

[Shaun II]

Thanks for that, I'll get stamping and then go and try the pre sva trump card route which DVLA tell me is ok(verbal not written!)

If it works out I'll eat my wiring loom, which is now all working. If not SVA but I get to keep my wiring.

[Shaun II]

Anyone know where I could purchase a set of 8 or 10mm punches, machine mart are out of stock? Wanted for wed pm!

[John]

6mm is the biggest I can find in my catalogues Shaun. 8 or 10 sounds quite specialized.

[Shaun II]

I just measured what was on the old beta donor, maybe 6mm is ok or perhaps i could get a plate engraved and welded to the chassis.

[strat6v]

Maybe screwfix do letter and number punch sets?

[John]

Yes, Screwfix do 6mm and Chronos.

[strat6v]

seen them in chronos this morning.

[simon]

There is a company in Sheffield called Edward Pryor & Sons who specialise in these things.
www.pryormarking.com