VIN Number checking and other help on my secondhand purchase.

RaptorSA

RaptorSA

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Hi guys,

I've recently stumbled onto a car I love at a Honda Motorcycle garage. It's a 2006 MX-5.
Apparently some dude was going through a divorce and he traded it in for a Bike. The car is currently listed at about R20K less than the average equivalent on the market. The salesman says the car will be sent to another dealer soon which is going to sell it for for R20K more.

What he says makes sense but believing a salesman is probably suicide so I'm trying to ignore what he said. So I've taken the car for a spin this afternoon. Body work still looks awesome. Engine seems fine and the test driving was perfect (since I know from my online research that there's isn't really anything specific on these cars to look out for). The only thing is that the mileage is a bit high, 124K. Does have full service history though and last one was done on 120K.
I now want to check the VIN number to make sure it wasn't in an accident etc.

How reliable is the whole VIN number checking thing? I mean, does it actually work or is it quite possible that a vehicle had damage of some kind that isn't recorded by panel beater etc.

I want to contact Mazda first thing tomorrow and see if I can find more details.
If there's no record of an accident I'd like to believe that the car is fine and that I accept normal maintenance issues that come with a vehicle that has relatively high KM's but has been taken care of. I don't want to take on any more risk than that, so knowing how reliable VIN number checking works is a big part of my decision.
 
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Thanks Ponder.
I gave Fazda all the vehicle details so we'll see what he comes up with.
Also contacted the Honda dealership and asked for numbers on the places where the car was serviced so I'm just waiting for that info as well.

Hopefully everything checks out. Would be nice to have a car again.
This Checy Spark rental I'm currently driving is driving me insane with automotive boredom.
 
Fazda, why do you think it's a bad sell?
The mismatch between VIN and Engine no.?
 
The 2005/2006 thing doesn't actually worry me. The 2005 MX-5 was the older NB shape. So this one much have been manufactured in 2005 and sold as 2006 model year.

It's the Engine/VIN number discrepancy that I'll need to try and look into.
 
Fazda said:
Two reasons - engine number mismatch and it's a 2005 not a 2006.
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Probably replaced the engine then, probably a reconditioned one.
And having the panel beater not put accident damage on the report, very easy if no insurance company was involved. Also if you were the only party involved very easy to get the car fixed with no insurance company or police report filed.

I thought when you replace the engine you have to notify the registration authority and you get an new licence disk then ?
 
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I thought when you replace the engine you have to notify the registration authority and you get an new licence disk then ?
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Yes you do. That's why I was worried about the discrepancy.
 
Sounds like a stolen and recovered vehicle or something bought from SMD. Insist on police clearance? Just remember that even paper work from the police can be an error and the police can still rock up at your place at 02:00 am and impound the vehicle - and arrest you !!. This is honest experience from me. Get in touch with the previous owner and any insurance companies that might be involved, get a police clearance and keep any receipts as proof of ownership of what you will spend on this car - whether it's for replacement light bulbs or a new engine. Remember an owner can crop out of the woodwork at any time after you buy it, spend money on it, and have made it your own. This a hard learnt experience I will never forget.
 
uuugh, secondhand buying is such a bitch.
Thanks for the help so far.
 
I know. You fell in love with it, you've worked hard and acquired the finance, and you must have it. Been there. Believe me friend, the police don't care if you are a law abiding citizen or not, they'll swear you and cuff you. My advise ? Bail out now. Something better must come...
 
MrPost said:
I know. You fell in love with it, you've worked hard and acquired the finance, and you must have it. Been there. Believe me friend, the police don't care if you are a law abiding citizen or not, they'll swear you and cuff you. My advise ? Bail out now. Something better must come...
Click to expand...

I'm just not sure why you think it might be stolen?

Full service history, stamped and signed, the vast majority from the same shop.
Sold by a massive Honda Motorcycle dealership.
Two license disks (2011 + 2012) both with the same engine nr. etc.

Only thing not checking out is the VIN/Engine nr. combination but I'm not sure I'd like to immediately dismiss a vehicle because of some online service data check thingy that might be susceptible to capture errors etc.

What is the easiest way to get Police clearance? I'm guessing I need to phone a local police station and just provide the registration number etc.?
 
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OK no. It looks dodgy.
Phoned Mazda Randburg and they gave me the engine number that goes with the VIN Nr. It's not the same.
Dodgey dodgey... :P

I'm walking away.
 
RaptorSA said:
OK no. It looks dodgy.
Phoned Mazda Randburg and they gave me the engine number that goes with the VIN Nr. It's not the same.
Dodgey dodgey... :P

I'm walking away.
Click to expand...

you should just listen to Fazda in the first place :D
 
Keep looking. You'll find your car. Those are awesum little cars ... almost bought one a while back. :p
 
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