Porsche doesn't recognize my VIN number?
09-06-2006, 01:14 PM
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Porsche doesn't recognize my VIN number?
I was doing a little background check on my car, since I am the 3rd owner. I called up porsche to see if I could get one of those certificate of authenticy (wanted to show off in my garage), well, they got back to me saying that the VIN number is invalid. I asked them if they were sure and I read them the number 3times just to make sure..nothing. Well, it's registered with NYS, I looked it up in carfax and obviously was granted a title...it's the same number...no clue????
I found a site that does one of those VIN decoders..well came up with the right information...
Porsche seems to think that my car went into a blackhole and they have no idea on what to do? They told me to continue using that VIN while they see if then can locate it in their files.. weird huh? Seems that my car has alot of lil issues since I got it.
-Jen
1987 Porsche 928 S4
70,629 Miles
36P Venecian Blue
I found a site that does one of those VIN decoders..well came up with the right information...
Porsche seems to think that my car went into a blackhole and they have no idea on what to do? They told me to continue using that VIN while they see if then can locate it in their files.. weird huh? Seems that my car has alot of lil issues since I got it.
-Jen
1987 Porsche 928 S4
70,629 Miles
36P Venecian Blue
09-06-2006, 01:18 PM
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That is odd. you didn't use 'O' instead of '0' did you? Can't think of what else would result in such a thing. Its a Porsche, and not a NY State VIN, right? NY State issues its own VINS for rebuilt cars...
09-06-2006, 01:20 PM
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Originally Posted by SMTCapeCod
That is odd. you didn't use 'O' instead of '0' did you? Can't think of what else would result in such a thing. Its a Porsche, and not a NY State VIN, right? NY State issues its own VINS for rebuilt cars...
09-06-2006, 01:41 PM
#4
I had the same problem recently when I went to the local dealer for a part. They were unable to recognize what car I had. But in my case it was probably because I have a grey market Euro, and my VIN has "xxx" in it. The guy at the dealership told me they are unable to access information about the European models. Could that be it?
09-06-2006, 02:10 PM
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Jen--
You did give them the real VIN, the one off the windshield tag, and not the build VIN off the fender, right? If you give them the build number, the one with ZZZ in the market code aream PCNA will not recognize the car.
PCNA sometimes has problems with US cars purchased as Euro delivery. You buy the car through a local dealer or a brokre, either of which can arrange for your car to be picked up at the factory, driven in Europe for up to 90 days (IIRC), then have it shipped to the US for you. Most cars that go through the dealer network make it into PCNA knowledge base; Cars that come through brokers usually don't.
So there are several possible reasons why you don't make it on to PCNA's radar. Another is that your car was stolen some time in its history, and was rebadged and registered with a fake VIN. Most states are diligent about this, and their computers are at least as good as PCNA's when it comes to tracking VINs. But sometimes a good crook can push one through. There are some states, for instance, that don't issue new 'titles' to vehicles when they change hands. Moving a car from one of those states to a new state can be a challenge on the best days, especially if your new state has tight requirements. But it's also an opportunity to introduce a fake documentation package. Once the package is recognized as legitimate by the new state and a title is issued, the fraud is suddenly legitimized and the car can be sold to anyone. After a couple sales, you have a Carfax history and anybody can buy the car and feel good about it. Curious-- Have you run a Carfax on it to see if there's a known history from new? If the history starts late, that might be a clue.
You did give them the real VIN, the one off the windshield tag, and not the build VIN off the fender, right? If you give them the build number, the one with ZZZ in the market code aream PCNA will not recognize the car.
PCNA sometimes has problems with US cars purchased as Euro delivery. You buy the car through a local dealer or a brokre, either of which can arrange for your car to be picked up at the factory, driven in Europe for up to 90 days (IIRC), then have it shipped to the US for you. Most cars that go through the dealer network make it into PCNA knowledge base; Cars that come through brokers usually don't.
So there are several possible reasons why you don't make it on to PCNA's radar. Another is that your car was stolen some time in its history, and was rebadged and registered with a fake VIN. Most states are diligent about this, and their computers are at least as good as PCNA's when it comes to tracking VINs. But sometimes a good crook can push one through. There are some states, for instance, that don't issue new 'titles' to vehicles when they change hands. Moving a car from one of those states to a new state can be a challenge on the best days, especially if your new state has tight requirements. But it's also an opportunity to introduce a fake documentation package. Once the package is recognized as legitimate by the new state and a title is issued, the fraud is suddenly legitimized and the car can be sold to anyone. After a couple sales, you have a Carfax history and anybody can buy the car and feel good about it. Curious-- Have you run a Carfax on it to see if there's a known history from new? If the history starts late, that might be a clue.
09-06-2006, 02:19 PM
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Send your VIN to Rixter and see if he can pull up info on it. I know he can pull option sheets for cars with pre-81 VINs that Porsche doesn't always recognize.
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09-06-2006, 04:24 PM
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Porsche Cars of North America wants NOTHING to do with Euro spec grey market cars....NOTHING They did not get to profit from the original sale , had no control over If or HOW they were Federalized, and wish that the cars were not here. So talk to them about a ZZZ car and you get .....NOTHING.
09-06-2006, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Jim bailey - 928 International
Porsche Cars of North America wants NOTHING to do with Euro spec grey market cars....NOTHING They did not get to profit from the original sale , had no control over If or HOW they were Federalized, and wish that the cars were not here. So talk to them about a ZZZ car and you get .....NOTHING.
Therer are several KNOWN incidents where grey-market cars have ventured on to a dealer lot, looking for service. The dealer did not even allow the hood to be opened. They shoo'd the offending car and owner off the property. They just don't want any responsibility for anything that might go on with a car they didn't furnish to begin with. That's one of the big reasons why Euro parts can be pretty impossbile to buy through the dealer network too.
09-06-2006, 06:16 PM
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Jen, have you looked under the carpet in the trunk for the build/options sticker, and compared its VIN to the others you have?
VIN's appear in at least 3 places I know of, the window pillar on drivers side, the door jamb on drivers side, and on the passenger side fender, about 2/3rds of the way up on the top of the fender.
I have heard that they may not always agree, on mine at least they do.
Neil
VIN's appear in at least 3 places I know of, the window pillar on drivers side, the door jamb on drivers side, and on the passenger side fender, about 2/3rds of the way up on the top of the fender.
I have heard that they may not always agree, on mine at least they do.
Neil
09-06-2006, 10:56 PM
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Originally Posted by dr bob
Jen--
You did give them the real VIN, the one off the windshield tag, and not the build VIN off the fender, right? If you give them the build number, the one with ZZZ in the market code aream PCNA will not recognize the car.
PCNA sometimes has problems with US cars purchased as Euro delivery. You buy the car through a local dealer or a brokre, either of which can arrange for your car to be picked up at the factory, driven in Europe for up to 90 days (IIRC), then have it shipped to the US for you. Most cars that go through the dealer network make it into PCNA knowledge base; Cars that come through brokers usually don't.
So there are several possible reasons why you don't make it on to PCNA's radar. Another is that your car was stolen some time in its history, and was rebadged and registered with a fake VIN. Most states are diligent about this, and their computers are at least as good as PCNA's when it comes to tracking VINs. But sometimes a good crook can push one through. There are some states, for instance, that don't issue new 'titles' to vehicles when they change hands. Moving a car from one of those states to a new state can be a challenge on the best days, especially if your new state has tight requirements. But it's also an opportunity to introduce a fake documentation package. Once the package is recognized as legitimate by the new state and a title is issued, the fraud is suddenly legitimized and the car can be sold to anyone. After a couple sales, you have a Carfax history and anybody can buy the car and feel good about it. Curious-- Have you run a Carfax on it to see if there's a known history from new? If the history starts late, that might be a clue.
You did give them the real VIN, the one off the windshield tag, and not the build VIN off the fender, right? If you give them the build number, the one with ZZZ in the market code aream PCNA will not recognize the car.
PCNA sometimes has problems with US cars purchased as Euro delivery. You buy the car through a local dealer or a brokre, either of which can arrange for your car to be picked up at the factory, driven in Europe for up to 90 days (IIRC), then have it shipped to the US for you. Most cars that go through the dealer network make it into PCNA knowledge base; Cars that come through brokers usually don't.
So there are several possible reasons why you don't make it on to PCNA's radar. Another is that your car was stolen some time in its history, and was rebadged and registered with a fake VIN. Most states are diligent about this, and their computers are at least as good as PCNA's when it comes to tracking VINs. But sometimes a good crook can push one through. There are some states, for instance, that don't issue new 'titles' to vehicles when they change hands. Moving a car from one of those states to a new state can be a challenge on the best days, especially if your new state has tight requirements. But it's also an opportunity to introduce a fake documentation package. Once the package is recognized as legitimate by the new state and a title is issued, the fraud is suddenly legitimized and the car can be sold to anyone. After a couple sales, you have a Carfax history and anybody can buy the car and feel good about it. Curious-- Have you run a Carfax on it to see if there's a known history from new? If the history starts late, that might be a clue.
I gave them both, the one one the side of the door way and the windshield tag. I did run a car fax on it, has info dating from april of 88...the car is an 87.
I know it's not a euro model..or at least it was confirmed it wasn't.
-Jen
09-06-2006, 10:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Jim bailey - 928 International
Porsche Cars of North America wants NOTHING to do with Euro spec grey market cars....NOTHING They did not get to profit from the original sale , had no control over If or HOW they were Federalized, and wish that the cars were not here. So talk to them about a ZZZ car and you get .....NOTHING.