Modern-day VINs are made up of 17 characters (numbers and capitals letters) that do not include the letter O (o), I (i), or Q (q) to avoid confusion with numerals 0, 1 and 9. If you know the vehicle's unique identifier, you can also look the VIN up in several databases to figure out whether the vehicle has been stolen, recalled, etc.
If you know the VIN code, you can unlock info on its features and technical specs like the car's: In a nutshell, VIN is like a key to "everything you want to know" about the vehicle.
I'm pretty sure this car was new when given that registration number CKH290T in 81. Needn't be exact day but a range of a couple of months should be OK. The UK registration authority (DVLA) will want some official confirmation on a formal letterhead of date of manufacture. The problem is the Portugese registration certificate I have doesn't actually say the car was new when it was given the SA registration number, it just states the date it was given the number CKH290T as. The telephone number on the Identimark is 704-2816. It has Identimark window etching with the SA reg number CKH290T etched on all the glass and also has D510471M etched on the screen (but this does not appear anywhere else on the car). But they do not have record of the chassis number.
On enquiring about the car with BWW group archive they say they have record of that engine number being manufactured in 1979 and sent to SA with a CKD (Complete Knock Down) car kit for assembly in SA. The numbers 510471 are also stamped into the right side front suspension tower, with the letter W underneath. The VIN plate states it was manufactured in SA by BMW SA (PTY) LTD/(EDMS)BPK chassis number 510471, engine number 5650477. "has enrolled CKH290T from South Africa since " "national approval 19781000710001" (I believe this is a homologation number) The Portugese reg certificate states (using Google translate) : The car was recently imported into the UK from Portugal. I need some evidence of date of manufacture in order to register the car in the UK. Is there anyone can help me establish a date of manufacture for my E12 that was assembled and sold new in SA? It's my first post and I'm looking for help!