VIN Decode Request - and a Query..

[E55BOF]

I'm considering bidding on a 2003 SL55, but the VIN is WDBSK7 4FX3F 026003, and putting that into the Ukrainian CARInfo site brings up a VIN in the format I expected, namely WDB230 4742F 026003. The car it brings up, however, is a US-spec model.

I'm away from home, or I could use my WIS to solve the puzzle. Can anyone find a UK model for either VIN, and can anyone shed any light on Mercedes using VINs in the first format in 2003?

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Datacard attached, does say it's US.

 

[bob6600]

I was going to suggest import but I'm guessing it's RHD?

 

[pmcgsmurf]

I was going to suggest import but I'm guessing it's RHD?

Yes, strange one.

 

[E55BOF]

Thanks guys. See my SL55 thread in 'Spotted on eBay' for more. I'm no longer considering bidding.

I'm just curious now. The whole thing is utterly bizarre, and I can't think of any credible legitimate explanation. To be honest, in view of all the facts I can't think of any credible illegitimate explanation either.

Does anybody have any suggestions, other than that MB made a mistake at the build stage and somehow built and shipped two cars with the same VIN? It would be interesting to talk to the previous owner...

 

[MercedesDriver]

The only explanation I have is that at some point it was legitimate UK SL which was stolen and got cloned VIN from similar (same colour, but the different interior) SL from US.

 

[TheEnd]

Maybe someone just googled SL55 VINs, found one mentioned on a US forum or from a US advert, and copied it, not realising the US has quite a different format to the rest of the world.

 

[E55BOF]

That would make sense. If it is a clone, the data plate would have been falsified as well. Does anyone know where else besides the base of the windscreen the VIN is stamped on the body?

 

[E55BOF]

Found it. It's behind the front trim on the rear storage compartment behind the driver.

I'm really intrigued now. It just gets weirder...

The plate on that car now is not the original-issue plate for the silver SL55 that wore M15ABV most of its life; it is for another silver SL55, three months older. So far as I can find out, M15ABV is still on the car in the ad, providing the VINs from the MoT tests, and DVLA records, match the one it wears now.

I've told the current 'owner' (who is, I think, as honest as the day is long; either that or a bloody good actor...) where to check the VIN apart from the windscreen; he's going to get back to me. He has nothing but the invoice from when he bought the car to show ownership.

He has, not surprisingly, been told by numerous callers that the VIN is a US one.

I rather think somebody is looking to scam him again, though. He ended the auction because an enthusiastic buyer, outside eBay, sent him a deposit through Paypal of £1000, sight unseen, and will pay the balance of an agreed £10500 price when he gets a registration document for the car so they can collect it.

So far so good, but the car will then supposedly be exported to Germany. The car is RHD, and German cars are LHD, but I'm sure LHD SL55s are rare in Germany , so that's all right...

Is it possible to recall a Paypal payment, does anyone know?

 

[Will]

I know you think the seller is honest, but it’s also quite unusual for anyone that honest to buy (or sell) five-figure value cars with no real proof of ownership...?

The EU buyer could well be genuine, with the very weak £ to € perhaps it makes an attractive priced car. Especially if the UK history/V5 isn’t seen as so much of an issue.

Is it even possible to properly HPI a car with no UK V5 documents and a questionable VIN number. Could be finance owing or worse.

Has the seller got an OBD reader, that would verify the electronic VIN at least.

Would still be running away from this one though Dennis...

 

[E55BOF]

Oh, I'm not seriously considering buying it, but I'm really intrigued by the whole saga now. At the end of the day it is probably an SL55 in good condition with quite a low mileage, and could make a good buy for someone at the right price. If I was that keen on it, I'd make the owner of this similar one an offer:

MERCEDES-BENZ SL55 AMG 5.4 KOMPRESSOR PANORAMIC ROOF RED LEATHER INTERIOR 2003 | eBay

It's either been detailed or very well valeted, and it looks pretty good. I suspect that if the seller were offered £10K in cash now, if he turned it down at best he'd have to keep the car until the Spring before the price would rise, and with Brexit coming I think even then he'd have difficulty. Hmmmm....

 

[alabbasi]

You want to go and see it. I suspect that you're not getting the full details from the seller.

 

[E55BOF]

That could be, of course. I'll wait to see what he says is the VIN in the storage compartment. I have an iCarsoft, so I could read the VIN, but it's about thirty miles away, and I'm not sure I'm that intrigued by it.

 

[pmcgsmurf]

I have an iCarsoft, so I could read the VIN, but it's about thirty miles away, and I'm not sure I'm that intrigued by it.

That may well be the case but I'm really intrigued now.

Following this with great interest.

 

[Abb]

If I was that keen on it, I'd make the owner of this similar one an offer:

MERCEDES-BENZ SL55 AMG 5.4 KOMPRESSOR PANORAMIC ROOF RED LEATHER INTERIOR 2003 | eBay

It's either been detailed or very well valeted, and it looks pretty good. I suspect that if the seller were offered £10K in cash now, if he turned it down at best he'd have to keep the car until the Spring before the price would rise, and with Brexit coming I think even then he'd have difficulty. Hmmmm....

The seller of this car bought it earlier this year, around July time. At the time it was advertised for £10,950 and I was interested in it, by the time I enquired, it had sold the new owner who re-listed it within days at £13,950.
Given he paid less than the initial advertised price, when I enquired with him and offered him £12k (which I thought was fair all things considered), he said he would get back to me if he didn't receive a better offer soon!

Looks like he is still waiting

 

[bob6600]

Is it possible to recall a Paypal payment, does anyone know?

Yes you can unless it is paid for as 'family/friends' IIRC

 

[E55BOF]

Thanks, Abb. Hopeful tosser, then...

I'm considering another one, in Tanzanite with a light interior, as well; my favourite colour combination.

 

[C43AMG]

Please could some get the Vin No for Reg BK61HJJ or the Data Card.

Many thanks.

 

[bob6600]

Please could some get the Vin No for Reg BK61HJJ or the Data Card.

Many thanks.

Datacard
Identification number: WME4513332K520651 0
Chassis
Sales designation: SMART FORTWO BRABUS
Order number: 0 1 536 92391
Delivery date: 08 09 2011
Paint code 1: EB1 TRIDION SAFETY CELL IN ANTHRACITE
Paint code 2: ECA No code designation available
Equipment: IAS No code designation available
Engine no.: 132930 20 543140
Transmission: 717484 50 014026
Engine
Engine no.: 132930 20 543140
Major assembly variant: A 132 010 21 00
SA code
283B AIRBAGLABLE - ENGLISH
527 RADIO HIGH LINE
537L GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND (UK) 2
5XXL EUROPE
75Y STEUERCODE LEITUNGSSATZ 5
802
928 EXHAUST GAS CLEANING EURO 5 STANDARD TECHNOLOGY
966 COC PAPER EU5 - W/O REG. CERTIFICATE PART II
97V SPEED- + LOADINDEX 77T + 86Y
989 VEHICLE REGISTRATION UNDER WINDSHIELD
A08 BRABUS XCLUSIVE
C08 RADIO PREINSTALLATION
C54 SOUND PACKAGE
E22 GLASS ROOF
E81 EXTERIOR PAINTED CONTRAST PARTS
EB1 TRIDION SAFETY CELL IN ANTHRACITE
EB1U No code designation available
ECA No code designation available
ECAO No code designation available
F451 MODEL SERIES 451
FC COUPE
GM MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I01 AUTOMATIC AIR CONDITIONER
I31 LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT COVER (FLEXIBLE) (DFO/FFO)
I53 HEAD/THORAX SIDEBAGS
I63 LOCKABLE GLOVE COMPARTMENT
I75 LEATHER SPORT STEERING WHEEL WITH SHIFT PADDLES
IASA No code designation available
K01 ADDITIONAL 5 LITRE FUEL FILL (FFO)
K02 OVERSEAS AXLES (CORROSION PROTECTION) (FFO)
K04 HEADLAMPS AND REAR COMBINATION LAMPS, LEFT-HAND TR
K07 SPEEDOMETER IN MILES (FFO)
LAO OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS + SERVICE BOOKLET - ENGLISH
M002 ENGINES WITH EXH.TURBOCHARGER WITH INTERCOOLER
M014 ENGINE INCREASED PERFORMANCE
M10 1.0 LITER DISPLACEMENT
M132 R3 GASOLINE ENGINE M132
P71 BRABUS SPORT-PACKAGE
R RIGHT-HAND STEERING
R01 SUMMER TIRES
R50 BRABUS MONOBLOCK VII SILVER 175/50R16 & 225/35R17
S17 SEAT HEATING
S37 UPHOLSTERY IN BLACK LEATHER
U09 LEATHER-CLAD INSTRUMENT PANEL
V11 SOFTOUCH - AUTOMATIC SHIFTING PROGRAM (FFO)
V12 LED DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS
V21 EXTERIOR REARVIEW MIRRORS, ELECTRICALLY ADJUSTABLE
V26 EPS POWER STEERING (FFO)
V31 COCKPIT CLOCK AND TACHOMETER/AMMETER PACKAGE
V33 ELECTRONIC STABILITY PROGRAM (ESP)
V43 ELECTRIC WINDOW REGULATOR
Other
EU approval date: 20110721
EU approval number: e1*2001/116*0413*16

 

[C43AMG]

Many thanks Bob. Much appreciated