chrisvega
Well-Known Forum User
In South Africa when a car is stolen/recovered (not a rare occurrence) the police cancel the original VIN registration and the car is allocated a new police issued VIN which always commences with AAPV followed by a serial number and this then becomes the car's new identity. The new number is then crudely stamped on the body in no set position, any random place will do. Most times they do not remove the original manufacturer tags but the new RC1 registration document will always show only the new police VIN.
Microg hasn't mentioned what the number on the strut is but if it fits the above criteria that's the answer.
DVLA love to register cars on AAPV numbers as the clerks seem to get their kicks and job satisifaction from being as awkward and inhospitable as possible causing maximum hassle to importers. If the car is inspected (high chance with SA imports) the AAPV number will be photographed and no amount of common sense will be used in processing the application - even if the original tags are present together with Club dating letters etc etc
Ultimately the VIN number that the car was imported under will be listed on the NOVA (you need to check that Microg) and that will hopefully tie up with number on the car and that is what DVLA will use as a reference to tie everything together.
Microg hasn't mentioned what the number on the strut is but if it fits the above criteria that's the answer.
DVLA love to register cars on AAPV numbers as the clerks seem to get their kicks and job satisifaction from being as awkward and inhospitable as possible causing maximum hassle to importers. If the car is inspected (high chance with SA imports) the AAPV number will be photographed and no amount of common sense will be used in processing the application - even if the original tags are present together with Club dating letters etc etc
Ultimately the VIN number that the car was imported under will be listed on the NOVA (you need to check that Microg) and that will hopefully tie up with number on the car and that is what DVLA will use as a reference to tie everything together.
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