vins do not match, what would you do??? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BENZ-LGB · #16 05-13-2007, 12:35 AM

Report it.

the cops can sort it out.

If the car is OK, then no problem.

If the car is hinkey, then you would have done your good deed for the day.

Is the guy going to buy it after all of this?

He probably won't be able to insure the car.

Carson357 · #17 05-13-2007, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Report it.

the cops can sort it out.

If the car is OK, then no problem.

If the car is hinkey, then you would have done your good deed for the day.

Is the guy going to buy it after all of this?

He probably won't be able to insure the car.

that is where the whole "euro" angle comes into play, since the vin is invalid dmv assumes it is a euro model

Hatterasguy · #18 05-13-2007, 02:20 PM

It might be a stolen car. Sounds kind of fishy.

Why would the vin's on such a late model low mileage car be messed with? Something is up, it didn't come from Mercedes that way.

Mike552 · #19 05-17-2007, 12:56 AM

Looking at what you've said, with mismatched ecu to vin plates, missing decals, and some kind of "euro" story to go along with it.... this thin REAKS OF STOLEN. I would call the cops asap.

Nate · #20 05-17-2007, 01:52 AM

Call the cops... Where is the car? Who owns it currently?

From what I gather, your shop had it come in for an inspection before a new owner bought it... You noticed the vin's werent correct...

The current owner needs to deal with the cops, and the prespective buyer needs to find another car...

~Nate

BENZ-LGB · #21 05-17-2007, 09:21 AM

Here are a few terms to ponder

"accessory after the facts"

"aiding and abetting"

Stoney · #22 05-19-2007, 11:07 PM

Run Forrest Run!

POS · #23 05-19-2007, 11:09 PM

I'd report it.

truckinik · #24 05-19-2007, 11:38 PM

Well, I just paid big money for a Euro 560 Sec, and refuse to go through the necessary changes, and import methods for the car, from out of the country.. So I bought another one, in the states, with a clean title. I'm using the vin tags and title, on the illegally imported euro car, and I'm good to go.. Neither one is stolen,I've got both titles, bills of sales, but wait 'til I show up at the dealer for service/repairs/maint. work..They're going to look at my car as if it were from outer space. So the whole thing could be legit, like mine or something. (Aside from vin tampering, being illegal) How much trouble could I possibly get in anyways, if both cars are mine legitimately from the start..? Just tell the prospective buyer, and the current owner, and leave it to them. Or you can just mind your own business, and let it alone. Ifg that car is stolen, someone's already collected the insurance money for it anyways, and the thing has been through the laundry already. Aside from a shabby re-vinning job, it's likely in the clear. Leave it to fate and let it go.

Jim B. · #25 05-20-2007, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truckinik

Well, I just paid big money for a Euro 560 Sec, and refuse to go through the necessary changes, and import methods for the car, from out of the country.. So I bought another one, in the states, with a clean title. I'm using the vin tags and title, on the illegally imported euro car, and I'm good to go.. Neither one is stolen,I've got both titles, bills of sales, but wait 'til I show up at the dealer for service/repairs/maint. work..They're going to look at my car as if it were from outer space. So the whole thing could be legit, like mine or something. (Aside from vin tampering, being illegal) How much trouble could I possibly get in anyways, if both cars are mine legitimately from the start..?

Could be plenty of trouble......

Nick, my personal opinion is that you're taking a huge risk in bringing in the 560SEC euro that way.

I'd definately hope you would get ahold of of a registered importer, from the official list, that you can work with, and pay the extra $5,000-$10,000 or whatever it costs, these days, to have it brought across the border legally, wait the few months it takes to get it signed off by the DOT/EPA, and fully legalized.

Those agencies can really make hash out of you if they feel that you are trying to make an end run around them.

Some fellow recently imported an '88 Mercedes 560SEL from Iraq that he believed may have belonged to Saddam, home to Connecticut.

It was immediately confiscated by the US government. Obviously not the same situation as yours, (as Iraq is a country from which imported vehicles are illegal in the USA, considered war trophies) but it was a bad result for the guy who tried.

Here's the link, with the unhappy result you might like to look at:

First story about it: (2005)
http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/109342.html

Then,the Government finds out about it, (2006) and it gets ugly:
http://www.autoblog.com/2006/05/20/oh-lord-wont-you-buy-me-a-hussein-y-benz/

More on that car:
http://www.mg.co.za/articlePage.aspx?articleid=272327&area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__international_news/

Mere possession of a gray market car in the United States without having the importation paperwork and necessary DOT/EPA/emissions equipment
on the car criminalizes it.

If that is discovered, be sure, the car could be ordered deported or destroyed, and you could be personally liable for fines or worse.

Switching VINs and titles sounds to me, on its face, to be going into a very risky area, I would not do it.

BENZ-LGB · #26 05-20-2007, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Switching VINs and titles sounds to me, on its face, to be going into a very risky area, I would not do it.

Sage advice (you and I know that) but one that will surely be ignored.

Wait until the proper agencies get a hold of the vehicle(s) and start looking for the secret VINs. That's when it will get fun!

Hatterasguy · #27 05-20-2007, 11:18 AM

With Mercedes its cake, since they put the vin number on just about every body panal, and in the fire wall as well. So if you just changed the two vin tages that would be pretty odvious.

dynalow · #28 05-20-2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike552

Looking at what you've said, with mismatched ecu to vin plates, missing decals, and some kind of "euro" story to go along with it.... this thin REAKS OF STOLEN. I would call the cops asap.

AMEN.

BENZ-LGB · #29 05-20-2007, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

With Mercedes its cake, since they put the vin number on just about every body panal, and in the fire wall as well. So if you just changed the two vin tages that would be pretty odvious.

All manufacturers are required by law to put VINs all over the place.

Then there are the "secret" VINs that only law enforcement and insruance companies know about.

It is a big mistake for one to assume that he/she can get away with this kind of crime!

Hatterasguy · #30 05-20-2007, 11:01 PM

Well I know Mercedes puts those vin stickers on every body panal, thats how I tell if one has been hit when I look at them. If the ones under say the trunk or the rear plate are missing, well chances are some body work was done.