Entire 1990 Renault Campus Sold

[Sprackers]

Hi there

I bought Ruth form a private seller with all the log book and service history and it all checked out and bought it and have had it for 3 years without a problem. passed MOT every time without a problem.

I recently had it MOT'd and it passed again until April 2018

I then had a mate come round and he noticed that the vin plate wasn't attached properly. Horror of horrors it was a brilliant cut and shut.

I am absolutely devastated.

I put so much work into her that I am gutted.

I have tried to get my money back but it was so long ago its impossible.

I have only one option and that is to sell it for parts. If someone wants the whole thing for parts then that would be great.

I'm gutted.

Phil

 

[Lobster]

Sorry to hear that, Phil.

But I'm confused.

I don't want to sound like I'm questioning what you've discovered but what evidence is there that it's a 'cut & shut' and is it the case that its a damaged and subsequently repaired car using large bits of another or is it a stolen car which has had the identity of a write off stuck on it (which the chassis plate suggests)?

Does the chassis number on the plate on the bulkhead match that which is (if memory serves) stamped on the right hand front suspension turret and also that on the V5?

Then, why do you need to get rid? The car has been MOT'd so is 'safe' and obviously means a lot to you. Yes it might have a dubious history but so do a lot of cars and theres doubtless a lot of people driving around, unknowingly, in 'ringers'. If it is that it is two cars welded together then I's agree that is potentially a safety issue although not necessarily unsafe in itself ( I remember seeing a Mk3 Escort which literally had a line of weld going right underneath, up both sills and then through the roof which had 'expertly' had a load of filler in the roof and a sunroof fitted in an attempt to disguise it but I can't imagine that your car is anything like that bad from your description!)

I suppose the other issue is that if it is a stolen car that has been 'rung' then its technically the property of the insurer who would have paid out on the original claim.

Anyway, I hope you can resolve it, its a terrible situation to find yourself in with a car that obviously means a lot to you

 

[Sprackers]

Hi Lobster,

Maybe I could do with some guidance here. Hence coming to my home from home website.

We looked at the Vin plate number and it matched all the previous paper work back to 2010 . it all matched. but when I put the vin number yesterday into the vin search , it came up with a Renault van?!!

Sure I could say nothing and sell playing dumb, but I cant do that. Its not the Renault 4 code.

Stolen, definitely not. I met the woman who had it for 6 years before. all the old log book and old Renault 5 manuals intact.

engine 35,0000 miles confirmed. Runs like a dream.

Interior absolutely immaculate and it even had a AA big sliver badge on the front. (not for sale) if they were really dishonest they would have taken that off as it worth a lot nowadays.

Should I take it apart and sell it as parts?

What is the opinion of everyone. my best scenario would be to drive it to one of us.

I would hate to take it to the scrap merchant and see them crush it. I would far prefer giving it to someone here. Malcolm?

Best

Sprackers

 

[Sprackers]

Hi lobster,

We couldn't find a chassis number anywhere.

Sprackers

 

[Sprackers]

Lobster

I live in London know so I don't need a car so hence the move to sell her. I have a bike (Sally) and my Renault 4 (Christine) so Ruth is unfortunately surplus to requirements.

Sprackers

 

[harbourseal]

Hi Phil,
A friend of mine has got 2 super 5 cars. I'll ask him where to find the chassis number.

Is the 5 an import? It might have been registered as a van. And the previous owner might have put a rear seat in it.

 

[petak]

Super 5 VIN number position


Who, and why is questioning cars identity?
You or some authorities?

Oval plate was not attached properly or shock absorbed top mounting?

Is VIN number in your papers same one that is on cars oval plate and shock absorber top mounting?

What kind of VIN search did you look at?

It is strange to me that everything was alright until now and nobody questioned cars identity.

Do not throw car away (or in parts) until you dig it little bit more and find out for 100% that something is wrong with VIN number.

If no authorities question cars identity i would drive it for now.



I owned R5 GTE (1,7 multipoint injection engine with 96KS) for 12 years and it was unbelievably nice car to use and drive. So fun to drive. 96ks with 850kg.

 

[Sprackers]

Hi Petak,

I will do a little more digging as you rightly advised.

Cheers

Sprackers

 

[harbourseal]

Right hand side shock pillar has the VIN number.

Good luck with your search.

Also to me there is nothing really wrong. Because you’v MOTed the car for 3 years in a row.

I do think that is one of the inspection points.

 

[Simon P]

Hi there
Is the car a 3 door.

 

[Lobster]

There must be a chassis number on it, thats part of the MOT inspection I think...

Going back to the VIN search, I obviously don't know what site you are using but it can't be right. If it was registered with DVLA as a commercial you'd be paying a different rate of road tax to a standard car which I guess you aren't. It isn't unusual for even DVLA held data to be wrong though, just look at a site like How Many Left and see how many ways there are to describe an R4 - it depends on what the registering dealership entered on the form when it was first registered so a 1986 R4 GTL (as an example) could be described by DVLA as 4 / R4 / 4GTL / 4GT L / 4GTL and any number of permutations you can think of.

I really don't think you've got anything to worry about though!

 

[malcolm]

I quite fancy another super 5, but I have 6 cars already and that would be really silly. Though my proper car has a coolant leak I can't find at the moment because it is too cold to look for it. How cheap are you thinking for this dodgy car?

The chassis plate can fall off for all sorts of reasons (re-paint is a good reason). Super 5s have never been valuable enough to mess with.

A cut and shut is 2 half cars badly welded together - you should be OK there as the chassis plate should be well attached to half of it. Are you worried about it being a ringer (stolen, identity changed)? Can't see anyone would bother.

Post photos of what you are worried about and we'll take the piss, sorry, offer helpful advice. If you don't need the car put a sale advert up here for what it is properly worth - someone will love it.

 

[Lobster]

I was thinking I'd like a Super5. Then I very nearly bought an early Clio whilst at the NEC. Oh, and a R11.

The reason I didn't is that I stopped and had a good long word with myself because what I really want is a Twingo. So thats the plan for next year. However, thats not got much to do with this here R5.

 

[Sprackers]

Yes I found the vin number and it matches with all the other numbers. It looks exactly like the one above. I will be honest I thought a two year old had put it on but its the same as a bove. Maybe I was being a bit too cautious.

I will get some photos up and see what you think.

 

[ggcton]

Simon P asked if it was a three door as the 5 did have a version as a car derived van.In days gone by they could be bought cheaper to use as a van and converted to a car without much trouble.

 

[Sprackers]

So had some other advice and they said the same. Its been MOT'd for many many years. VIN numbers match paperwork. Nothing to worry about. Before I put it on Gumtree , I would like to give everyone here an opportunity first.

 

[Sprackers]

Work Ive done:

Spent 2 weeks under the car getting covered in rust scraping it all off. Then treated the underside, AND inside the sills with Waxoyl. That was the major work, all the other ordinary stuff done. Oil, filters , spark plugs, changed oil, filters, etc.....

Any questions or if you fancy coming to Tunbridge Wells to take a look (preferably in your Renault 4) be my guest.

All the best

Sprackers

ps some more photos of the interior floor with and without the mats.

 

[harbourseal]

Sprackers, Looks like a nice car.
I’d take it if your hand for the right price.

But it’s RHD.
On the continent that isn’t practical.

What is your asking price. Because I’m very tempted.

 

[retrospecparts]

......But it’s RHD. On the continent that isn’t practical........

Why not?!!!
I live in the UK (in the busy south-east). I've got a LHD 2CV AK350 van, A LHD Dyane, a LHD DS, a LHD HY van, a LHD Smart (and a RHD Subaru).
The only one that's difficult to drive on the left, is the H-van when you come up to an angled T-junction and can't see what's coming from the right, without getting out of the driver's seat.

 

[Tomcat]

Yes whatis the asking price please? Thanks