A tense moment…
Got this in the mail yesterday:
MPI - not a huge fan of RHD
Now, this is tense since MPI is known to call in cars for re-inspection (free of charge!), where they'll re-check all the compliance items that imported cars must adhere to. It's happened to a few of my friends, but I've not been called in yet. So, I was thinking this might be a precursor to it.... luckily it's not. So, what was this for? Well...
A VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is a North American invention. A VIN is a 17 digit number, with a few different conventions on what the numbers mean.
JDM vehicles ship with a chassis code (or frame number).
Example chassis codes
As seen here, the codes can be of varying lengths, ranging from 9-12 digits. Also, this is where the chassis number comes from! The model is the first few alphanumeric digits. My Subaru's number is GC8-xxxxxxx, my Hijet was S83P-xxxxxxxx. An 'S13' Silva would be S13-xxxxxxx. Super cool!
There should be a plate on every JDM car listing the model number, chassis code, engine number and transmission number. It's quite informative and interesting to look at. Check it out on your car, or your friend's car!
BC's public insurer (ICBC) provides 17 digit VINs to their customers, while Manitoba's (MPI) doesn't. So, apparently they'll occasionally check in to make sure it's still the same number. Make work project!
March 9th, 2012 - 20:22
In BC, it is not required to get a 17 digit VIN. We can use our JDM VIN’s as ICBC started accepting this 5 years ago.
March 10th, 2012 - 00:19
Don’t sweat it Rob, I got the same letter for a Yamaha motorcycle I own. 3 years in a row! You’d think MPI would get it right the first time.
March 10th, 2012 - 00:34
Joe: Thanks for the information! Sorry, I guess I’m out of date with my BC laws. Good to know!
Hbeat: Yeah, the clerk said that once they start asking to re-verify the VIN, they don’t stop… great.
March 17th, 2012 - 13:15
what is required to register a right hand drive in Winnipeg if its never been registered in Manitoba but has in other places in Canada ? just a safety and proof of owner ship or is there more to it?
March 18th, 2012 - 20:44
It’s been registered in Canada then? It’s like any other car then. You’ll need a Safety, proof of ownership and the amount you bought the car for (bill of sale).
April 11th, 2012 - 17:58
it has been registered out of the province i live in, would it need to pass a DOT inspection?
April 11th, 2012 - 18:14
Depends which province it was inspected in. Manitoba requires some kind of special thing (I forget what it’s called) to be inspected.
I know cars from Saskatchewan and BC can be registered, and I believe Ontario too, but not Quebec.
April 11th, 2012 - 18:47
what about alberta ? i know it wont pass a DOT inspection, thats why im wondering
April 11th, 2012 - 20:04
I don’t know offhand. I expect they’ll accept it.
But, definitively, ask MPI
http://mpi.mb.ca/english/contact/s_contact/inquiries.asp
They respond to questions really fast. If you’re worried about privacy or want to obscure your name, use a really fake email address.