Overlanding in a modified vehicle
 

Not sure where to ask this, but has anyone had problems at the borders with eg. a diesel powered vehicle when the paperwork says its a petrol? Or having coil springs when there should be leafs? Or other modifications...

Very broadly, the international convention that governs movement of vehicles into another country require the vehicle to comply with all relevant regulations of the state of registration. Pretty obvious that this means the registration should be current and valid and that means disclosure of all factors relating to the suitability of the vehicle to be legally registered.

Have we had problems. No, because the vehicle is precisely as described on the certificate of registration and on the title. We are asked the license plate number, often the colour, engine capacity/cylinders and fairly often what fuel it burns. Sometimes engine number but they accept that our documents don't show an engine number . VIN of course is a requirement and it is interesting to go on-line and check exactly what the VIN means. I was surprised to see that it included a lot of apparently useless information such as paint code and interior trim, but it does also include engine, suspension and springs so I guess if the VIN is false then ...

As for other modifications, no they aren't concerned at that level, but it is pretty hard to enter into any sort of contract ,which the TIP is and Insurance policies are also, in which you not required to comply with the duty of disclosure clause. Will they check? No, but the lawyers acting for the insurance company certainly will.

But all of us westerners no that, don't we. If your state doesn't care what mods you make on the vehicle then I imagine you will be covered.

However, you see plenty of moderately modified vehicles down south - reasonable raises, wider tyres, lights and similar and they won't raise any eyebrows at the borders.

I can't imagine there is any country which issues a vehicle registration document which states the type of springs a vehicle has, at least not for a private passenger vehicle?

Your VIN and engine numbers should match between the vehicle and the registration document. Check and correct any errors before travelling.

Other than that, you're exceedingly unlikely to have any issues at borders if you have some minor modifications. Insurance claims may be something else however.

Ok. Thanks for replies.
Of course, its not for me... i'm just asking for a friend

Sure VIN numbers should match the paperwork, but engine number? Engines breaks down all the time and must therefore be replaced, no?

Not sure what kind of vehicle expects a new engine block as a service item (Land Rover?), but there is no problem to change engines, so long as you update the registration document. Entering with mis-matching engine numbers will cause problems in some countries where vehicle and vehicle-part imports are restricted.

It states the VIN and the VIN may specify the suspension. Certainly the engine.


Have a look here SUPERDUTY TECH FOLDER and FAQ - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums the second and third posts decode the VIN for my vehicle in Peru. The same level of detail would probably be available for all VINs since it should be a universal coding system so this makes it easy for an insurance assessor or lawyer to check for loopholes in the event of a claim. There is a vehicle certification label that also has coding for the rest of the features

VIN details vary as to complexity of coding , there are the basics eg manufacturer, location , serial number , model, some state number of doors ,engine , not necessarily suspension, unless the model is available with different options , eg air , coil or leafs . From experience there is a lot of variance with what is checked , Veh reg 100% VIN match is 99% of time , engine number less than 50% , Administrators like numbers , so best that you can match as many as possible :)
Re mods , , for the most part not a problem unless some situation arises that brings attention to that mod , and the sophistication of country you are in . eg accident

Ive had chassis and engine numbers checked once going into Mauritania in the D90, outside of 1st world countries, they are not going to be checking manufacturers codes so much, just that the VIN/engine numbers match, but if you are running a diesel engine and on your registration document is says petrol you are asking for trouble from a sharp eyed customs guy looking for some extra cash. Dot the 'i's and cross the 'T's and you wont have any issues.

Vin
 

When I took a Pajero down through West Africa I checked all the numbers on documents matched the vehicle, but the customs guy leaving Moroc pointed out that the number plate was wrong, I hadn't thought to check that, a Y instead of an X, but easily sorted with insulating tape!

Also was refused entry to Lebanon because van was diesel powered.

On my latest Van the Vin plate did not match the chassis number or paper work, Mercedes charged £90 for a new one,which is not even plate, just a stick on job.

Happy travels

Bruce

VINs have become notoriously inaccurate since the mid 1990s, mainly due to multiple assembly locations for vehicle manufacturers and the odd glitch with centralised computer systems that manages the numbers for a manufacturer. With about 90 million vehicles being produced each year just a fraction of 1% error rate means a few thousand vehicles with wrong VINs.


Mercedes had a batch of cars worldwide all issued with same number, also a batch of T1N Sprinters with the same numbers as previously issued to T1s.


Toyota had a bad run with CKD vehicles, as well as Isuzu with a batch of light trucks assembled in various plants around the world.


Usually the incorrect VINs are picked up at first service when all the parts for the service are presented for a 10 litre diesel engine behemoth and its a Smart Car!! Its then all fixed up and the dealer gets the changes done on registration documents without the owner even being fully aware of whats happened. It all goes pear shaped when that first service is done in a country without access to centralised computers and they carry on for years with the incorrect VIN.

If any of your numbers don't match, or other details for that matter, then you may have problems, so change your V5 details, it's easy enough. That includes if you change the vehicle colour, the engine, the fuel of the chassis.

As long as everything matches, it's no problem, so just update your V5!

What he said ^^^^ for the price of a stamp and an envelope, just update it and send it off.

It won't just help your border crossings... should the worst happen and the vehicle gets stolen here, the police might be looking for a complete different vehicle.