Help. I have put a deposit down on an 1987 escort rs turbo. The car has had 4 owners looks as though its been sat for a while, has a few rust spots and will need floor doing it has been stripped no engine in but comes with the car. Thing is the vin plate has been removed in engine bay but has the vin number stamped on the floor panel under passenger seat. I have done checks on the car and all seems to match, just it has a few extras on this car such as electric windows and the grey/red seats didn't think that on this model of this year it came with these? Please can anyone give me some advice or info on how to determine this car is actually this car if you no what I mean thanks

 

The VIN number should be beside the drivers seat and the drivers door under a plastic flap, they had electric windows as standard, the seats are correct as well

 

Ah ok, thanks, I've read a lot on the Internet and I got the impression that they didn't have electric windows? Any ideas on why the vin number isn't in the engine bay? I really don't want to get it and end up it being taken from me as its stolen or something even though I have had it checked out �� the vin number has been stamped on the floor panel no flap there as the complete interior has been taken out. Can I get it police checked or anything #paranoid.com#

 

when u say the vin mumber in the engine bay do u mean the vin tag

 

Yes it's not there, only vin number I can find on the whole car is the one to the side of the drivers seat

 

i think as long as u have the logbook etc u can get them made at fords plus i ve seen people on here with fancy vin tags,just hpi check it and make sure the floor and engine numbers match for peace of mind

 

alot where removed years ago when stolen etc BUT they can become unsecure and fall off due to age as they only held on with 2x pop rivvets,,, mine is hanging off as we speak as one side as snapped off if you have done the checks and it comes back ok it should be ok IMO

 

can just get new ones made off monster on here if the log book matches the car i wouldnt worry just get a new one made

 

take out the drivers plascit carpet trim and teh drivers seat and check that floor isnt laid in or welded in, ive had them with 2 or more re fitted chassis numbers! one welded and one glued over that on the last grey one i bought to break

if you are paying good money its best to know its legit, if its a bit dogey (albeit a longtime ago maybe) thats then up to you if you want it, i really wanted a clean 1.4s fiesta recently but it was blatantly a ringer so i couldnt do it and i let it go to some other mug, i doubt it will get pulled in but then i dont want a ringer to ride around in

 

Thanks guys for your comments, I spoke to dvla and they said what your telling me I can get a replacement vin plate at fords. I have done checks on line and they have all come back that it matches so perhaps I have uncovered a gem thanks x

 

but if its on a ringer id those checks are on the new legit id, check teh car actually has that id propperly and hasnt been given it later

 

And how do I do those checks?

 

As has been said. Get the driver's seat out, lift up the carpet and make sure the piece of floor with the chassis number hasn't been welded into it from another car.