VIN: Vehicle
Identification Number (not inspection)
I really hope the agent was trying to tell you to get an inspection, vehicle unseen - that's just not cricket!
Anyway, since our vehicles are Japanese (and the Super Exceeds were
only for the JDM), they don't have 17-digit VINs (not all Japanese vehicles followed the ISO standard until after our vans were produced).
However, this is no problem - ICBC can either use the identification number already assigned to the vehicle (which is the case for my vehicle, and it's only 11-digits long); or if your vehicle's identification plate is missing (underneath the carpet flap in front of your driver's seat), still no problem as ICBC can assign a
B.C. Assigned VIN. This is something you apply for at no cost (although it may cost to have it "mounted properly."
You should not have to get a 17-digit B.C. Assigned VIN because your vehicle, if it still has the little identification plate under the carpet flap in front of the driver's seat, already has "an original serial number" assigned to it from Mitsubishi. Show the agent the original serial number (it's probably the very same one that came up with the error message they were blindly following), and if they protest, have them show you the regulation.
For further reading, here is ICBC's webpage on the issue:
http://www.icbc.com/registration/reg_vin.asp
) on my file, which means that my vehicle does not have a 17 digit Vehicle Inspection Number, and as of August 2008, BC owners of imported vehicles need to apply for (at no cost) a new 17 digit VIN and have it installed (which may cost $$). Given that it is Sunday, I will need to wait until tomorrow morning to figure this out, but was wondering if anyone has dealt with this yet.
