VIN and engine numbers have been scratched off

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I bought a Piaggio BV350 two months ago from a private seller, 1800 miles, excellent condition 2016 model. The seller told me the vehicle was stolen and recovered at some point so before I paid any money I did a full HPI check and it all came clear. Today I discovered both the VIN number on the chasis and the engine number have been scratched off, I only have the VIN number sticker under the saddle left. DVLA told me the vehicle appears to be in order and as long as I have the V5C (which I do) I should be able to take the first MOT in three months, but DVSA told me without the VIN I may get refused the MOT test.

I have no idea what to do and DVLA/DVSA where not much help. Do I keep the scooter or do I get rid of it? Should I take the seller to court? I have paid one third of the vehicle already and the rest is on finance. Is there any other way to verify the VIN and engine numbers?

[Bhud]

Get all your money back, cancel the finance deal and report the seller to the police.

I can't think of any legitimate reason to scratch off a frame number. You should have checked before you bought it though. I think it's fairly safe to assume it's nicked.

[G]

[Bhud]

[WD Forte]

Naah its kosher mate
sports innit? all that number malrkey adds weight, so we scratches it orf for moar powah, better acceleration and all that.


srsly tho folks
No Vin = No MOT

Do as Bhud says
It's possible it was sold in good faith and the theives removed the
numbers, but it's not fit for purpose as it is and the seller should have
rectified that before selling it or scrapped it .
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bikers smell of wee

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[stinkwheel]

Looks like the finance company bought themselves a stolen bike...

EDIT:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/39/section/75

Speak to Citizens advice before going off half-cocked.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

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[Riejufixing]

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[suburban myth]

So you HPI'd it and it came back clear? In that case surely it was never written off and you have a 'clean' bike? The fact a finance company shelled out for it suggests you're in the clear.

Secondly, I'm interested in your finance. Is this a finance deal on a bike you bought from a private seller, or a private bank loan (unsecured), or a finance deal from a dealership/bike shop?

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Looks like I have a perfectly legal, yet suspicious bike. I still suspect it may have been stolen, but even if that's the case there is no way of proving it and no way of finding out who the legal owner was. So basically the main question is can I MOT the scooter? Although my local Piaggio dealer told me yesterday they would refuse to MOT it still think I can, since last time I had an MOT, on a different bike at another test centre they only checked the VIN on the V5C.

[andys675]

take the log book or the old MOT with you to "help" the MOT tester, you'll find they often won't check the actual frame stamp if they think it's going to be hard to find and use the paperwork you've got.

if you had bought it from a dealer on finance you could have got the finance company involved as they have a vested interest in the vehicle, they're so desperate for customers these days they'll lend money for private vehicles and this is when problems like this arise
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Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.

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[Monkeywrenche...]

[A100man]

Perhaps a set of these will help 'oil the wheels..'

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Numbers-Stamps-Craft-Set-Letters-Punch-Steel-Metal-Leather-Tool-Case-3-4-5-6-8mm/264408115742
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

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