engraving a VIN# ?

[mmcfarlin]

I have been asked to engrave a VIN# on a stainless-steel plate. Just wondering if this is legal or ethical? I'm hesitant on doing this, my instinct tells me not to.

 

[oniemarc]

I would guess it would be illegal. Here in the Netherlands I am pretty sure it is.

Marc

 

[rweigel]

Just let some ignorant guy from Europe in on the secret: What is a VIN#?

Cheers

Ralf

 

[allan621]

VIN stands for Vehicle Identification Number. I'm sure its probably standard with vehicle manufactures world wide but I know that here in North America its the identifying marker used to tell identical looking vehicles apart from each other. Its also the basis of services here in North America where you can get details of a cars history when buying a used car. Costs money but worth it.

As far as engraving it, if its on a plate not the same size as the normal VIN plate so it won't fit where it should, why not. But if it's a duplicate size of the normal I wouldn't touch it. Kind of like when someone I didn't know asked me to re-engrave the missing 14k stamp in a ring. Not a chance unless it came from a retail store I dealt with and more importantly trusted implicitly. Very implicitly.

BTW...not ignorant-just curious

Allan

 

[rweigel]

Thanks for explaining it! Now I remember, I’ve seen the german version of VIN in my Miata’s handbook (VIN hidden in a compartement under a seat)

Cheers
Ralf

 

[Dave London]

NO ! If a new plate is required see the DMV MTC

 

[Memorymaker]

It could be for a plate for a trailer. Many of the older trailers had decal Vin # plates that either faded so they were unreadable and some metal plates have the #s worn off. I have engraved my vin numbers on my trailer. I don’t think it is illegal but asking here won’t get you your answer. I would call the DMV

 

[monk]

around here, many are marking the v# on their catalytic converters. thieves see a cash cow stealing them and hauling them to junk yards. with a portable demo saw many are set free in less than a minute !

 

[allan621]

Monk, that actually sounds like a great idea. I remember a while back when congress, when it actually was a legislative body, had a bill that each part of a vehicle would have the vin numbers on them. The auto manufacturers lobbied hard to kill the bill because it would add almost 50 dollars to the cost of each vehicle. 50 whole dollars.

Allan

 

[tdelewis]

It sounds to me like someone is asking to preserve a VIN on an older or collectable car. I would think that would be OK. I am sure it would be easy to check state laws, or just check with a car dealer ship.

 

[monk]

Monk, that actually sounds like a great idea. I remember a while back when congress, when it actually was a legislative body, had a bill that each part of a vehicle would have the vin numbers on them. The auto manufacturers lobbied hard to kill the bill because it would add almost 50 dollars to the cost of each vehicle. 50 whole dollars.

Allan

with the much maligned dreml i have done a few vin #s on auto windshields. the idea was to keep the car safe from being stolen.

 

[monk]

I have been asked to engrave a VIN# on a stainless-steel plate. Just wondering if this is legal or ethical? I'm hesitant on doing this, my instinct tells me not to.

it's legal for u to engrave a number on a plate. it may or may not be legal for yer client to put it on an actual vehicle.