vin number has only 13 digits on title

[pdc]

I am in the process of importing a 280SL W113 with chassis number 11304412005873 from the US to Belgium and the car is actually delivered in Antwerp today.

As a matter effect the Certificate of the title shows number 1304412005873, the first 1 is missing and also on the Bill of loading I notice has the same number as on the title.

I expect to have problems when I will  clear the car from customs Next week and also with  conformity process.

I did check if the title number and the VIN number are registered at the Florida DMV web site (  https://www6.hsmv.state.fl.us/rrdmvcheck/mvcheckinq)  ; and yes they are; good news is that.  But there is also only 13 digits for the vin, the 14 digit chassis  number is not registered...

I just requested a Data card of the car from Mercedes Benz so that the other part numbers on the car could be compared.

Do you have any other suggestions or recommendations how to handle this issue?

Pascal

[jacovdw]

Pascal,

First let me start by bidding you a warm welcome.

My guess would be that the datacard from Mercedes would be a good place to start. That would at least prove that the car in question was delivered from Mercedes with the correct numbers.

It could be that someone at the vehicle registration office in the US made a mistake when the car was first registered there. Based on previous replies from US based forum members on various threads, changing/correcting the original title would not be easy.

[louie2]

My car is a 280SL registered in TX and has always been in Dallas area. It has only 13 digits as well. The 1st 1 is left off. This may have been limitation of states VIN number process or whatever.