What was the old reg number on my westy???

[Earlybay.westy]

Hi every one!!!!
Just bought myself my first camper this weekend.
I got a 1971 westy and it was just what I wanted.
It's an import and been in uk 6 years,,does any1 know how I can find out what the old reg number use to be,,so I'm guessing its come from America somewhere,I want to know what the registration number was.
Any help please guys.
Thanks

 

[rickyrooo1]

i doubt you'll find out now it's been uk registered, mine came with the u.s plates on and i had the u.s title with it on, the d.v.l.a keep the title when you uk register the van so unless you had plates/title you will struggle, you could possibly contact the previous owner and see if they know or know the importer and see if they can help, i doubt you'll find out anything from the american dmv, i had all the details on my van but the california dmv don't make it easy to find stuff out.

 

[Lee C]

Does an American car keep the same reg number all it's life??
Or do they change it when it gets taxed??
As the tax is on the plate :? .?sort of thing??


Or , it could happen, have I got COMPLETELY the wrong end of the stick??? oke:

 

[Walt]

It's an import and been in uk 6 years,,does any1 know how I can find out what the old reg number use to be,,so I'm guessing its come from America somewhere,I want to know what the registration number was.

Tried to find the US reg of my imported bus last year, but had no joy.

Firstly, I tried using the website of the California version of the DVLA (can't remember what it was called), entered the VIN details but after going through the site it looked like you had to be a US resident, so that was a dead end. Then I contacted someone in the US and they took my VIN details and went to the local DVLA office (think it costs a few dollars to get a certificate) and was told that once a vehicle has been exported the details are no longer available.

There was also an idea that I might be able to find a certificate if the bus had to pass a smog/emissions check in the past, but ended up with a blank there aswell.

I've also had no luck with emailing the UK guy who I think imported it - Although like someone has already said, that's probably your best option.

So, Good luck - Hope you have more joy than I did!

 

[Bigbear]

Does an American car keep the same reg number all it's life??
Or do they change it when it gets taxed??
As the tax is on the plate :? .?sort of thing??


Or , it could happen, have I got COMPLETELY the wrong end of the stick??? oke:

I think the reg changes if the van changes states (not 100% on that though) my van went from California to Vermont(I think) then Montana and the reg number changed whenever it was registered in each new state.

 

[Earlybay.westy]

Ok thanks guys!!
It's such a shame that people don't pass on the paper work and old plates,was gonna get some made up from America if I knew the details,,I will try as much digging as I can,I have my father in law and brother in law living in America so I'm hoping they may be able to help me

 

[Graham L]

You could try contacting the DMV in the state it first went to (M Code Plate tells you were it was shipped to), with the chassis number and see if they can help. The plate does change if the bus either leaves the state or is declared as Salvage which in the US doesnt mean its scrapped but is off the road in a scrapyard etc.

Unfortunately DVLA do keep the US Title doc and wont return them which is why I always scan the documents before sending them off as it can list previous owners but doesnt always.

 

[Walt]

Unfortunately DVLA do keep the US Title doc and wont return them which is why I always scan the documents before sending them off as it can list previous owners but doesnt always.

So, do you think if I contact the DVLA with my UK reg, it would be possible to get a copy of the US title doc?

Has anyone else done this?

 

[Graham L]

No they dont release the info as its the documents that back up the date of your vehicle