and after all was said and done, I found out the paperwork was dodgy. It had been "reshelled" and they just transferred the 1970 vin plate over to the other car's shell. Now I have a 1970 car's V-5 on a 1981-85 shell, which is illegal. BOTH the 1970 and other car's VIN plates are installed under the bonnet. I had planned on taking this back to the states with me but am now concerned that customs will confiscate/destroy the car as it has been illegally modified. I'm trying to go about this the civil way, but am not ruling anything out. Please advise if there are laws here to protect the consumer about cars like this. I have been in contact with the seller and a refund was refused. Besides the V-5, I have a signed bill of sale stating this is a 1970 car. I have not contacted the police yet, but have talked to Peterborough and they are VERY interested. Any advice out there?
Bought a dodgy mini, legal help needed
Started by
Getsum
, Sep 22 2006 12:46 PM
63 replies to this topic
#1
Getsum
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Learner Driver
Posted 22 September 2006 - 12:46 PM
I bought a supposed 1970 Mini from a member of this forum > and after all was said and done, I found out the paperwork was dodgy. It had been "reshelled" and they just transferred the 1970 vin plate over to the other car's shell. Now I have a 1970 car's V-5 on a 1981-85 shell, which is illegal. BOTH the 1970 and other car's VIN plates are installed under the bonnet. I had planned on taking this back to the states with me but am now concerned that customs will confiscate/destroy the car as it has been illegally modified. I'm trying to go about this the civil way, but am not ruling anything out. Please advise if there are laws here to protect the consumer about cars like this. I have been in contact with the seller and a refund was refused. Besides the V-5, I have a signed bill of sale stating this is a 1970 car. I have not contacted the police yet, but have talked to Peterborough and they are VERY interested. Any advice out there?
and after all was said and done, I found out the paperwork was dodgy. It had been "reshelled" and they just transferred the 1970 vin plate over to the other car's shell. Now I have a 1970 car's V-5 on a 1981-85 shell, which is illegal. BOTH the 1970 and other car's VIN plates are installed under the bonnet. I had planned on taking this back to the states with me but am now concerned that customs will confiscate/destroy the car as it has been illegally modified. I'm trying to go about this the civil way, but am not ruling anything out. Please advise if there are laws here to protect the consumer about cars like this. I have been in contact with the seller and a refund was refused. Besides the V-5, I have a signed bill of sale stating this is a 1970 car. I have not contacted the police yet, but have talked to Peterborough and they are VERY interested. Any advice out there?
#2
Jammy
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Posted 22 September 2006 - 12:51 PM
It depends on when this reshell was carried out as I believe it wasn't illegal to do this quite some years ago.
Otherwise I believe your protected up to 3 months after the sale in a private buy. I'm sure I read that somewhere but wouldn't know where to look for confirmation.
Sorry I can't be more help.
Otherwise I believe your protected up to 3 months after the sale in a private buy. I'm sure I read that somewhere but wouldn't know where to look for confirmation.
Sorry I can't be more help.
#3
Getsum
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Posted 22 September 2006 - 01:04 PM
Problem solved, just got a call and the seller is refunding the money. The car is beautiful with a lot of quality work done, I wanted something to bring back with me and I'm not willing to take the chance of it getting caught at US custums. Thanks for the help just the same.
Edited by Getsum, 22 September 2006 - 01:06 PM.
#4
tino
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Posted 22 September 2006 - 01:18 PM
Sorry to hear you did't get the car you wanted. Glad its all sorted now tho.
#5
Sam
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Posted 22 September 2006 - 01:28 PM
Most of the minis exported to the US are ringed anyway. I would of just taken it.
#6
Jammy
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Posted 22 September 2006 - 02:02 PM
Cool, glad its been sorted.
#7
Guess-Works.com
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Posted 22 September 2006 - 02:07 PM
Yes, it's amazing how Austin/Morris managed to install Multi Piont Injection for the US market in 1969 !!!
#8
Jammy
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Posted 22 September 2006 - 02:11 PM
Its annoying how those yanks always get the new stuff ages before us!! 
#9
16v
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Posted 22 September 2006 - 11:02 PM
You were being far too anal, us customes would never have noticed the difference between a 1970/1980 shell.
I would have taken it.
Rich
I would have taken it.
Rich
#10
PhoenixSimon
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Posted 23 September 2006 - 07:45 AM
you can understand where the guy is coming from, just imagine if someone just took your pride and joy and crushed it, nothing you can do, I would be mortified.
Simon
Simon
#11
Jammy
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Posted 23 September 2006 - 08:03 AM
I assume thats you volunteering the give a refund if the car is crushed?You were being far too anal, us customes would never have noticed the difference between a 1970/1980 shell.
I would have taken it.
Rich
#12
smudger
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Posted 23 September 2006 - 04:33 PM
Better to be safe than sorry is the words i think.
what if it had been crushed?
i wouldnt of taken the risk, but many do.
And yes, lots of minis are "ringed" usa etc, dont mean its right or clever does it?
what if it had been crushed?
i wouldnt of taken the risk, but many do.
And yes, lots of minis are "ringed" usa etc, dont mean its right or clever does it?
#13
USA-Fin
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Mini Mad
Posted 26 September 2006 - 02:41 AM
Better to be safe than sorry is the words i think.
what if it had been crushed?
i wouldnt of taken the risk, but many do.
And yes, lots of minis are "ringed" usa etc, dont mean its right or clever does it?
What does "ringed" mean? Old ID tags on a newer car to get around the DOT 25 year old rule?
#14
Bluemini
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Posted 26 September 2006 - 05:13 AM
Yeah along those lines
#15
smudger
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Posted 26 September 2006 - 07:50 AM
the problem with Minis is this: how can you tell a 1973 Mk3 shell and a 1991 Mk3 shell?
The only major change of shell is the sportspack shell.
You can just change the VIN and Reg plates from a 91 to a 73 in a scrap yard and be hard pushed to tell the difference if things like seats and starter motor (clutch etc) changed.
However, then all you have to say is you changed the engine because old one knackered and changed the interior because that was water damaged.
Mini, probably the easyist car to ring.
Gulp!
The only major change of shell is the sportspack shell.
You can just change the VIN and Reg plates from a 91 to a 73 in a scrap yard and be hard pushed to tell the difference if things like seats and starter motor (clutch etc) changed.
However, then all you have to say is you changed the engine because old one knackered and changed the interior because that was water damaged.
Mini, probably the easyist car to ring.
Gulp!
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