Grey-Market VIN Hassle? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mark DiSilvestro · #1 04-06-2008, 08:03 PM

Has anyone here had any experience or problems registering a grey-market vehicle with their local Departmant of Motor Vehicles?
I'm considering buying a mid-80s Euro W123-body Mercedes, and I've already asked my classic car insurer as well as my regular insurance carrier, and both claim to have no problem with a grey-market car.
However I seem to recall hearing something about state DMVs having problems with the VIN on some grey-market vehicles.
And if there's a dispute with DMV as to the accuracy of the VIN on the car I'm considering, does anyone here know if asking Daimler-Benz for a data-card would be of any help, or do they basically disavow any knowledge of grey-market Benzes in the US?
Thanks.

Happy Motoring, Mark

MTI · #2 04-06-2008, 08:20 PM

My 2.3-16 was imported by the owner from Germany. The North American Mercedes have a VIN that starts with 4 alphabets (WDBA201), while the rest of the world starts with 3 alpha (WDB201).

Somewhere along the way, the car's VIN was recorded with a 4 alpha start, either by mistake or on purpose.

When I purchased the car, I noticed the error . . . and decided to correct it. Little did I know that it would take multiple visits to the DMV and then have to go through a "visual confirmation" by a state official, to confirm the correct VIN and to have the registration and ownership papers conformed.

When I initially insured the car, my agent also had a problem with the VIN meeting the requirements of their software.

Johnhef · #3 04-06-2008, 08:50 PM

I've got two. A 1984 300TD and a 1984 500SEC. Never had a problem with DMV or insurance on either.

Mark DiSilvestro · #4 04-06-2008, 09:28 PM

On the car I'm trying to buy, the VIN starts with WDB123. But on the seller's Maryland title, the VIN starts at 123 and Virginia DMV rejected that VIN for having insufficient chracters - 14 on the MD title but the minimum VA DMV requirement for Mercedes is 16. Maryland DMV has been contacted for the procedure to correct the VIN and I'm going with the seller tommorrow to obtain a corrected MD title with WDB added to the VIN, but I'm now wondering if the WDB123 will still be a problem in VA. Both my US-market 240D VINs start with WDBA23.

Happy Motoring, Mark

tankdriver · #5 04-06-2008, 09:54 PM

Mine's grey market, and was never a problem registering when we lived in VA. It starts with the WDB123.

Mark DiSilvestro · #6 04-06-2008, 10:03 PM

Well, my main insurance carrier said they have no problem with the Euro-VIN and their database. They said they would flag it as grey-market. Now I'm trying to get myself ready for a Monday spent in DMV hell. First in Maryland, then in Virginia.
Wish me luck!

Happy Motoring, Mark

t walgamuth · #7 04-06-2008, 10:19 PM

I had no problem with my Euro 280e.

Tom W

Johnhef · #8 04-06-2008, 10:48 PM

I'll have to ask my parents to see the title for their 78 240D, it's VIN is only 14 numbers, but then again its MD so it would probably be ok.

Mistel · #9 04-06-2008, 11:07 PM

My 1985 300TDT had been brought to the US by the owner for his own use. It was stamped on the title "not for resale in the US" or something like that. The PO's indy garage had bought it (in Maryland !) and could not resell to anyone because of the stamp on the title. I read about it on the internet and imported it to Canada. I think it was a good deal $3750.

Has this car been resold before? Anything funny stamped on the title? If it's a good deal and not resaleable in the US, let me know, maybe I could help.

Mark DiSilvestro · #10 04-06-2008, 11:13 PM

No resale restriction or anything funny on the Maryland title, except for the omission of WDB at the beginning of the VIN.

Happy Motoring, Mark

wbain5280 · #11 04-07-2008, 12:22 AM

A Grey Market car has to have paperwork certifying the proper conversion work has been done, speedometer, windshield etc. Make sure you have that first.

t walgamuth · #12 04-07-2008, 07:30 AM

Mine did not have that. I was concerned about it and spoke to my insurance carrier first. As long as it has an Indiana title I would not hesitate to buy it.

I have no experience with other states.

Tom W

Mark DiSilvestro · #13 04-07-2008, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tankdriver

Mine's grey market, and was never a problem registering when we lived in VA. It starts with the WDB123.

Unless Virginia has tightened up their VIN requirements since you were here, once I get a corrected Maryland title, hopefully Virginia will accept the complete VIN.

Happy Motoring, Mark

John Doe · #14 04-07-2008, 09:20 AM

We bought a gray market car out of Florida. It was a '95 E320 cab, vin wouldn't pull. Simply had to take it to the Highway Patrol for an inspection (ha!) and they gave me a certificate to take to the DMV whereupon a VIN # was assigned the car and voila.

Mark DiSilvestro · #15 04-07-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Doe

We bought a gray market car out of Florida. It was a '95 E320 cab, vin wouldn't pull. Simply had to take it to the Highway Patrol for an inspection (ha!) and they gave me a certificate to take to the DMV whereupon a VIN # was assigned the car and voila.

What state was it that required a Highway Patrol VIN inspection?

Happy Motoring, Mark