Rep Power: 774

im buying a 93 civic off of my mechanic and it comes with an integra dash but some how he never managed to put the vin backon...the firewall and door sticker vins are on the car. is it legal to drive without the dash VIN? is there somewhere you can order a replacement from?

 
Rep Power: 767

All the VIN numbers have to be visible in their prescribed locations as installed by the manufacturer. HTA 10.(1)

Numbers not matching are an indicator of a stolen vehicle or vehicle parts, and if a cop decides to check your VIN on your insurance and ownership slips with what appears on the car, you could lose your car while they determine why the numbers don't match.

They are not going to take your word about why the numbers don't match. Re-VINing is one of the most common ways to get rid of stolen cars, and that is what they'll go on over and above any explanation you may have.

If the numbers don't match, don't buy the car.

 
Rep Power: 774

Thanks for your reply...the thing is the vin on the firewall and door sticker do match up fine, just the dash vin is completely missing due to the fact an integra dash was swapped for the original. any idea if the vin for the dash can be ordered, since they must sometimes need replacement after accidents?

 
Rep Power: 767

Don't know - talk to your Honda dealer.

You can still be ticketed as is though - you must have all VIN plates in place as installed by the manufacturer includng the dash VIN plate. And they can still "remobe" your car to investigate it if they have doubts about it. A missing VIN plate is reasonable cause to suspect a car being stolen or parts on the car being stolen.

 
Rep Power: 786

Don't mean to steal thread.. but you reminded me of something Gldwnger..

The body shop regarding my GF's car says they''ll replace the driver door.. I asked bout the door sticker.. they said it's not necessary.. but since I inquire.. they will remove the door sticker from there donor door so it won't clash.. err.. is that ok???

 
Rep Power: 767

They really should transfer the sticker if possible, even though it's "easier" for them not to.

In any case, the door plate often gets painted over, so if it were gone it could be explained easily enough. It's a little different for plate that are rivetted in place like the engine compartment or windshield plates. The first place cops usually look to verify a vin is the windshield plate.

The goal is to not to be able to "explain your way" out of a situation where a cop questions the absence of a VIN plate, but to never get in the position where you have to try to explain in the first place.

 
Rep Power: 731

Throw on a different set of plates and no more parking tickets for you, well, if you can find the plates that match the old VIN.

Chances - 1:1,000,000,000.