Stolen & Recovered car - altered VIN - Help

[architect84]

My car has been stolen and recovered by Police 1 year later. The car is now back to our driveway, but its VIN numbers have been changed. I am 101% convinced this is my car. Police have connected some smart device and were able to establish original VIN and this is how it has been returned to me eventually.

I am not able to bring car for MOT because the VIN places have been changed - on the driver side door frame, to the bottom of the windscreen and new VIN has been stamped onto metal frame under the driver`s seat.

Talking to DVLA - they are not concerned as long as the car`s VIN plates are back.

Talking to Police - they can provide a proof that this is my car but suggested to get in touch with Mercedes and order replacement VINs. I have ordered replacements stickers, but Mercedes suggest to find a company who can fit them for me. Questions:
1. Why Mercedes do not fit VIN plates and stamp VIN?
2. Do I actually need to stamp new VIN on metal frame or sticker plates on the door frame and windscreen are just fine?
3. What companies specialize on this king of work?

[randlemarcus]

I suspect Mercedes don't want to get involved.

Did you not get an insurance payout, in which case, it isn't your car...

[architect84]

The insurance company are not involved as the car did not have car insurance at a time when it was stolen (insurance policy ended 11 days before it was gone :-( ).

[randlemarcus]

The problem is going to be that very few people have legitimate reasons for reinstatement of a VIN, so commercial businesses won't see demand.

Did you ever plan on selling,as a bodged looking VIN would scare me away? Could you part it out instead?

[FilH]

Not sure what im missing, but stickers? Just stick them back on.


Went through simular with a Nissan Navara, that was stolen from me. Was found several weeks later with vin sticker nowmissing.

Took the police report and logbook to a Nissan dealer, paid £80 and ordered a replacement. Then stuck it back on the pickup.

[mmm-five]

FilH said:

Not sure what im missing, but stickers? Just stick them back on.


Went through simular with a Nissan Navara, that was stolen from me. Was found several weeks later with vin sticker nowmissing.

Took the police report and logbook to a Nissan dealer, paid £80 and ordered a replacement. Then stuck it back on the pickup.

Isn't the VIN also stamped into multiple places/plates around the chassis?