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I’m guessing I’m not the only one with a VIN that starts with WPOC. I thought I got this straightened out with my title amended to WP0C, since as of 94-95, VINs didn’t use O’s and Z’s due to their similarity to 0’s and 2’s
Well, Utah updated their emissions compliance system and (so I was told) no longer allows manual VIN input.
Sooo, when they scan the bar code, WPOC comes up which won’t load to my database so when I tried to register my car today, it said I needed an emissions test.
Looks like I’m in for another long day at the DMV tomorrow. Has anyone else had this issue? I don’t think I’ve ever seen it discussed. @jeff968 I’d love to hear your take on this.
I had this issue when I took the 968 for emissions in December. They couldn't get the barcode to scan so had to input the VIN manually. Car passed emissions no problem, but a couple of weeks later I got a nastygram from the DMV telling me my inspection had lapsed and I was in trouble.
I was able to fix it by email though, I just sent them a picture of the new emissions sticker and they fixed it on the back end. We'll see what happens next time, though ...
Incidentally here in DC for OBDII cars they have a self-service kiosk where you can drive up, plug in and get your emissions inspection without ever interacting with a human.
Danger Danger, The vin stamped by the windshield and the vin sticker on the driver's door differ by one digit!
This caused a little confusion when I went to get my car smogged initially. The report came back, car passed but it is not registered.
Had to have it resmogged with the one digit corrected.
After much cajoling, begging, pleading, and crying, the nice lady at the DMV called a supervisor and she was able to override the wrong (correct) VIN on the emissions report.
So I’m legal. It only took 2.5 hours, total.
The secret: DON’T LET THEM SCAN YOUR BARCODE. It doesn’t comply with the DOT mandated 17 digit protocol, in place in USA since late 80’s but only adopted in Europe in the late 90’s after our cars were made.
The funny thing about this is the P0 is actually supposed to be PO for Porsche but they knew they couldn't use a O so they made it a 0. All the 968 VINs start with W (Germany) P0 (P0rsche)
Jeff, Have you ever seen any paperwork confirming this? I just spent an hour combing the inter tubes for pictures, and all the close window stickers looked like they were printed with dot matrix printers and there is definitely a zero in the VIN, compared to the Os in the text. I’ve always assumed the door sticker/bar code were correct, but I think I was mistaken. I think the mistake was in the original CO title I got when I bought my car in Denver in 2004, which was WPOC.
I’m going to get in touch with PCNA about getting a corrected door sticker.
FWIW, The earliest example that I’ve seen of a door sticker with a clear WP0 was from a 98 911, but on reading the thread, it was a replacement sticker someone got aftermarket after their door was replaced.
The funny thing about this is the P0 is actually supposed to be PO for Porsche but they knew they couldn't use a O so they made it a 0. All the 968 VINs start with W (Germany) P0 (P0rsche)
There’s a thread on here by the owner of a 928 (89?) that has the same issue, and the owner of a 92 RS posted that his door sticker reads WPO as well.
The protocol Porsche currently uses is W=Germany, P=Porsche, and 0=passenger car. (Cheyennes and Macans are WP1=truck)
VINs didn’t use O’s and Z’s due to their similarity to 0’s and 2’
Unfortunately, the internet strikes again. Online it will tell you that a VIN cannot have an I, O, Q, U or Z. That is only partially correct. The VIN of Audi TTs from years back started TRU. There is one in my shop right now. And there are Porsche VINs with 3 Zs in a row.
Yes, I always questioned Porsche’s use of the O behind the WP, but they either got away with it or the Feds allowed it and there are other Porsche VINs where it’s clearly a 0.
Interesting to know that the 0 designates passenger car. Wonder if that has always been the case, or was this changed when the Cayenne was introduced.
I did a pretty deep dive into VINs when I was attempting to import a line of hand built motorcycles from Italy. Currently, there are a lot of prescribed protocols that are mandated but its still up to each manufacturer to describe their system and submit it to SAE for approval. Country is set, second digit is assigned by the county's automotive agency and the third digit is assignable by manufacture, other than "9". The digit 9 in position 3 is reserved for manufacturers of less than 500 vehicles a year. Which my MCs were.
Also, the model year is set, and manufacturers assign the plant digit on their own. (N for 92 and S for my car built in Stuttgart plant.)
But I'd guess your assumption is correct, Porsche decided to designate Cayennes and Macans as "1"
Unfortunately, the internet strikes again. Online it will tell you that a VIN cannot have an I, O, Q, U or Z. That is only partially correct. The VIN of Audi TTs from years back started TRU. There is one in my shop right now. And there are Porsche VINs with 3 Zs in a row.
Yes, I always questioned Porsche’s use of the O behind the WP, but they either got away with it or the Feds allowed it and there are other Porsche VINs where it’s clearly a 0.
Cliff
I goofed up, The banned letter are I, O, and Q. Z's are allowed as you pointed out. It's assigned to EU market cars.
FYI, the door stickers were produced at Port in Charleston, not in Germany. They are North American only. I think you will have a difficult time.
I have collections of over 100 different door jam stickers and 100s of window stickers as well if you need examples.
thx Jeff. I’ve got mine as an example. What I need is a corrected sticker. If PCNA doesn’t work out, there’s a guy in europe that (supposedly) makes them, if he ever responds to my email.
05-22-2024, 09:40 PM
VIN Issues.
