As many of you know, my relationship with my dealer hasn't been "stellar". Since I do a lot of the work for a group of dealerships that owns my local dealership, I don't ever give them poor CSI ratings or reports as a courtesy.

It seems like every time I take my car into the dealership, something gets screwed up. For those that have ever read my posts, you'd know I've had broken windshields, cut mouldings, mirrors replaced, dents in my doors, broken door glass among other things that they've damaged.

So, yesterday as Oscar was getting his finishing touches, I noticed this...





I'm like, WTF??? Why is my VIN number missing?

Upon closer inspection, it appears that my VIN tag is covered up with black electrical tape???

I don't get it... the VIN tag is ONLY accessible if the windshield is completely removed. Well, the only person that has EVER touched the windshield is the dealer.

Why they would place electrical tape over the VIN is beyond me. I called the dealer up and they were befuddled as well, the service manager said they want to look at it but they just can't understand how they would do something like that.

I took the "A" pillar off the windshield post and used a paperclip to try to snag the electrical tape since that's all that would reach in there.

All I succeeded in doing was removing a tiny amount of the electrical tape and scratching the hell out of the VIN tag.




So I guess I'll have to pull the windshield and fix it myself... I honestly don't think I can stand to have the dealer "fix" anything else for me.

Mark

 

Man that sucks! I've had a few problems, but nothing close to the things you've run into! Good luck buddy!

 

A lot of times, windshield installation is subbed out to an auto glass service. Perhaps the tape was put over the VIN plate to protect it when the windshield was installed, and they just forgot to remove it.

Jim

 

No, these guys do their own work. That's why they kept my car for FOUR days to install a windshield.

My bodyshop can replace a glass in less than 20-25 minutes start to finish. Four days is plain stupid.

And as far as protecting the VIN number, that's not even feasible for 2 reasons.

1) The VIN number plate is recessed, you're not protecting from anything.

2) There is NO WAY to remove the tape unless you remove the windshield, you have less than 1/8" of space between the VIN plate and windshield. (thus the reason I had to butcher it with a paperclip) so they can't remove it afterwards.

Mark

 

OC, you have a curse similar to mine. I still believe I have a higher incidence of dealer problems than random and it sounds like you have a double dose.

 

She needs a new dealer.

Someone needs to tell her how it happened, regardless of how its repaired. It may be attorney time.

 

What about getting a new VIN tag so your doesn't look like your car is stolen when you get pulled over? Not a huge issues, but just thinking out loud here.

 

All part of the reason that I stay far, far away from the stealership...

It's going to quite difficult to replace or repair the VIN tag now that it is scratched up... You can't just 'get' a new VIN tag...

Good luck...

 

What really baffles me is how one dealer can be absolutely great to their customers while other ones will go through hell and high water to screw over their customers.

 

It's like schools. Good schools have good leadership and support structures. Good dealerships have good management who watch and listen.

I am convinced that it all stems from the top in both instances. The tone and tenor of the organization is set by management. As as we know, some are good and some are clueless.

Rich

 

Unfortunately, that is correct. You can't just order VIN tags, in my case, I'll sand the tag down to remove the scratches I put in there and paint it satin black.

The numbers will no longer be silver from being engraved but they'll be ledgeable.

I knew that may happen but I didn't have any choice shy of taking it to the dealer (yeaaaah, riiight) or pull the windshield.

Oh well, par fir course dealing with my dealer.


Mark

 

When I had a local company replace the windshield on my 2008 the vin tag was torn when they removed the old windshield. They where completely honest about it and told me when it happened. They do a lot of minis and bmws and said that mini puts the adhesive too close to the vin and it happens sometimes. The vin is only a sticker from what I could tell. They said they could order a replacement but I didnt have them do it. I was trading in my MINI in a couple of weeks and told them not to worry about it. They have replaced my windshield on my 2010 and everything was fine there. I would contact the dealership and see if they can order and install the new vin for you.

 

The first thing I would do is to confirm that there are no 'irregularities' regarding your VIN. Check your title, registration, in the engine bay where the VIN is stamped in the sheet metal, and sticker in the drivers side door jamb. Are all the numbers the same?

 

Just another straw in the Camels back.....

1st off get your car smudged......may have bad energy. Then have who ever replaced the windshield pay for a new VIN decal. Takes about 10-12 days to get them and requires documentation from the MINI parts advisor.

 

At the risk of seeming like a dummy -- is there any chance that the VIN was covered since she has had the car, e.g., was it that way when they delivered it?

I just went out and looked at mine, and it appears to have some "gunk" on it that might be left over glue from some sort of tape. I presume that it is possible (althought still unaceptable) that the dealer might never look at the actual VIN on a vehicle. It may just be a stock number and paperwork to them.

 

You may be able to get a new VIN tag if you go after the dealer. I've ordered VIN labels for auto glass shops that have ruined VIN tags while installing or removing windshields.

 

Chris,

Being in the bodyshop business for almost 30 years, I'm here to tell you they are full of crap. The VIN tag is a riveted piece of metal. It is NOT replaceable (as far as getting it from the dealer anyways... we have a company that makes replacement vin tag stickers in the door jambs)

Last year our local glass company tore a VIN tag in half. It took me months to get it fixed. I had to order a new VIN # (which composed of a HUGE decal) and attach it to the door jamb. The tag clearly stated this was an addendum to the original VIN tag and blah, blah, blah.

It was a horrible experience explaining to the customer why they now had to have two titles reflecting two VIN numbers, etc, etc.

Once sanded and painted, it will be fine, it's just the engraved numbers will be black instead of silver. As long as they match, it's no big deal.


Though obviously I can't read my VIN tag at the moment, I assure you they are the same. I bought the car new and have pulled the VIN number off each to order parts mannnny times.

The car is a 2009 and I'm the only owner.



Chris,

You've ordered new VIN tags that rivet to the dash?? Like I mentioned before, I've been in this business a long time and have never been able to order VIN tags or even VIN stickers in the door jambs from the dealer.

 

Call your MINI dealer's parts advisor....it is indeed a decal not a riveted plate and it indeed only takes about two weeks to get one.......My dealer has had to order them often.

I would not have written that if it were not true.....

 

Thanks gRay, I will indeed call Monday and get it ordered then.

I'll let you know what they say....


Mark

 

I was surprised to find this out as you were. I have had my windshield replaced few times now, so mine is "flaking" off like paint on hard plastic....

Never saw one that wasn't embossed before this.

My parts advisor said it takes a few weeks, and I think about 20-30 dollars for a new one. And after presenting enough documents to be photocopied about 2 weeks for delivery from Germany, or in your case maybe the UK.

 

I recall ordering one for an auto glass shop last year. It took lots of documentation but it arrived about a month after I ordered it. I am 99% sure it was for the dash. It sure doesn't hurt to at least call them out on their bluff and see if the piece can be ordered.

By the way, you can also order ALL of the door jamb stickers for the MINI too.

 

Absolutely, both of you guys can't be wrong so I'm gonna order tomorrow.

Yup, already did that.... even put them on crooked like the factory...lol.

 

sure you did. you actually just had the best masking skills of anyone.

 

It was wierd... I ordered the new decals and when I looked at the pic I took before I removed them, I realized how crooked the manufacturer had put them on....

So I followed suit. I wanted the car to look stock so crooked on they went.

Mark

 

Must have been that second "Pint" at lunchtime!
A friend of mine has a Lotus Exige. On the bonnet, there is a round recess for the "Lotus" badge. On his car, the badge is off center and crooked within the recess! Like I said...

Good Luck!
Jim