Is this W210 legit?

[migmog]

I'm looking to buy an old W210. I've found one locally which I'm tempted to buy, but I'm a little concerned about a couple of details.

The seller has lost the service history, and only has a couple of recent receipts, MOTs and half of the V5 doc (new keeper part).

I'm a worried about the VIN plate. I took a picture (attached), and wanted to ask you guys about it.

Can you tell the full VIN from this plate?
Should it not be welded rather than have screws?

The VIN on the MOT checks out with the Car Check I did, but I can't tally the VIN against the plate. The first 7 numbers match, and I have looked at the paint code and option code decodes which all look OK.

Also, I thought W210's had the VIN on display through the windscreen. I couldn't see it there. Are there some cars that don't have it here, or has it been tampered with? It certainly didn't look like it had been touched.

Obviously I won't buy the car without matching the VIN on the MOT against one stamped on the car somewhere. Where else can I look for it?

 

[renault12ts]

The VIN should be (as you say) visible in the bottom right corner of the screen.

 

[migmog]

Were there any W210's without the VIN in the windscreen, or with the plate in under the bonnet screwed on?

 

[219]

That is not the VIN plate , that one carries additional info such as paint codes etc ,

 

[Fizzer]

It looks like its had the corners cut off (where it was presumably riveted on).
As Pontoneer says its not a VIN anyway. VIN's are attached with rivets of an unusual size. Which, I think you can just see the holes for under the plate in the photo.

 

[AANDYY]

My info plate on the slam panel looks the same.

 

[Bob S]

Personally I wouldn't go near it with a barge pole. After many many cars in my time, I was taken in by a wrong 'un last year. Similar kind of stuff....half a V5, incomplete paperwork etc etc. I'm now VERY wary about this sort of thing.

That plate has certainly been tampered with and has just been replaced with a couple of self tappers.

The very fact that you're asking the question, suggests that deep down you know its not right. I'd be trusting my gut feel.

Cheers

Bob

 

[billywhiz]

Personally I wouldn't go near it with a barge pole. After many many cars in my time, I was taken in by a wrong 'un last year. Similar kind of stuff....half a V5, incomplete paperwork etc etc. I'm now VERY wary about this sort of thing.

That plate has certainly been tampered with and has just been replaced with a couple of self tappers.

The very fact that you're asking the question, suggests that deep down you know its not right. I'd be trusting my gut feel.

Cheers

Bob

Best advice above IMHO

 

[renault12ts]

Did anybody read post no.6 ?

Don't state something as fact unless you know it is fact.

The plate on my car is EXACTLY like the one in the picture, screws and all.

 

[steve333]

+1,with so many good used mb's out there why even consider a car with so many flaws in it's history/identity,golden rule when buying any used car 1.full service history(preferably main dealer)2.complete original v5 3.all mot's 4.original untampered vin plate/stamp-find another car

 

[renault12ts]

+1,with so many good used mb's out there why even consider a car with so many flaws in it's history/identity,golden rule when buying any used car 1.full service history(preferably main dealer)2.complete original v5 3.all mot's 4.original untampered vin plate/stamp-find another car

You were probably typing at the same time I was, so I forgive you...but there is nothing at all wrong with the plate in the photo.

 

[billywhiz]

my re quote was meant to about the 'gut instinct' bit.

:O)

 

[migmog]

OK, I'm definitely wavering towards not buying the car. It was a grand for a not-very-but-still-a-bit rusty E320 estate, with a few minor issues. I reckon I could probably do better for my bag of sand.

I didn't see any other info plate on the front of the engine bay - has one been removed? Is the lack of a vin on the windscreen evidence of tampering, or were there some cars like this?

 

[renault12ts]

OK, I'm definitely wavering towards not buying the car. It was a grand for a not-very-but-still-a-bit rusty E320 estate, with a few minor issues. I reckon I could probably do better for my bag of sand.

I didn't see any other info plate on the front of the engine bay - has one been removed? Is the lack of a vin on the windscreen evidence of tampering, or were there some cars like this?

That's the visible VIN. There will be another stamped on the chassis, under the carpet at front of the driver's seat.

 

[AANDYY]

Has it possibly had a cheap windscreen replacement with the VIN window/cutout in the black surround missing?

Mine is a cheap windscreen replacement but I still have the opening to see the VIN.

 

[steve333]

You were probably typing at the same time I was, so I forgive you...but there is nothing at all wrong with the plate in the photo.

I was mate,don't doubt the originality of that particular vin plate i was just advising against buying any car with a tampered with/dogdy one.

 

[219]

That plate has certainly been tampered with and has just been replaced with a couple of self tappers.

There is nothing wrong with that plate - it is just an auxiliary data plate with extra data about the car .

Lots of them are fitted with screws exactly as in the photo .

 

[219]

Has it possibly had a cheap windscreen replacement with the VIN window/cutout in the black surround missing?

Mine is a cheap windscreen replacement but I still have the opening to see the VIN.

The VIn can be stamped in a number of places , including the firewall in the engine bay , or one of the front chassis legs .

 

[renault12ts]

The VIn can be stamped in a number of places , including the firewall in the engine bay , or one of the front chassis legs .

As I have mentioned above, VIN under driver's seat, and plate as it should be.

 

[219]

Location varies from one model to another - standard Merc location for years was front right chassis leg , then bulkhead , stamped into slam panel , halfway down left hand A post and right hand sill . Quite a lot of cars have them in multiple locations to catch out the fraudsters - remove one and there is often another you've overlooked .

VIN plates are usually affixed either to slam panel or left front inner wing .