VIN

[Fiona_374571883]

Hi Everyone!

Been to look for our first caravan, and found one that seems just what we're after. It is advertised as 1992, however we can't find a 17 digit VIN on it anywhere, and current owners bought from a friend and don't have registration document.

Assuming it could be 1991 or older, I contacted CRiS and gave them a 10 digit number which is on all the windows beginning 91CS. They are adamant however that this caravan even if pre- 1992 should have a 17 digit VIN. Is that right?

Also the number that is etched on all the bubble windows is the same as on the chasis, however on the chasis the second number (the one) is missing.

Could anyone enlighten me please? I am trying to get this sorted out, so we can pay for it and go on our hols!!

many thanks.....

 

[Parksy]

Hi Fiona

All caravans manufactured after 1992 has a 17 digit VIN which conforms to the universal system adopted then to standardise the system to help prevent caravan thefts.

Before 1992 every manufacturer used a different numbering system but the number should still contain 17 characters.

The post 1992 system contains information about manufacturer and country of origin, the number of axles, the model year and the build number.

The year of manufacture is shown by a code, pre 1992 UK caravans have the universal letter Q so if the year code is Q the caravan is definitely older than a 1992 model.

After 1992 the year codes are as follows:

N = 1992 1 = 2001

P = 1993 2 = 2002

R = 1994 3 = 2003

S = 1995 4= 2004

T = 1996 5 = 2005

V = 1997 6 = 2006

W = 1998

X = 1999

Y = 2000

The first three characters of the VIN indicate the country of origin, product type and manufacturers identification letter.

This should be followed by either S or T to show the number of axles.

The following five characters are manufacturers and NCC codes then comes the year of manufacture.

The five characters after the year are factory allocated.

The final three characters show the build number.

A caravan with the VIN: SGCS000CLT2356010 would show that the caravan is a single axle 1996 model and the build number was 10

If there is anything suspicious about the VIN walk away!

There are plenty of genuine used caravans for sale so don't take any chances.