Hi Gents, it's my first post here, as I just decided to purchase a mini. I had a number of them back in Ireland but after moving here 8 years ago, I just never seemed to have the time to get back into it.

I found a decent project and have decided to go ahead with it. My only issue is that I can't seem to find any info on the car. There is no rego on the car, as it has been off the road for easily 10 years, the guy selling it has no idea about it either. He thought it was a k1100 but the bmc type no. has it as a 1962 mini 850. They didn't make k1100 until '69 i think (still getting used to the model variants here).

Checked the chassis/car number on the plate in the engine bay on the vic roads website and nothing comes up. I haven't been through this process before and I am wondering if anybody has had a similar issue and how they resolve it.

I don't want to buy it if I can't register it, or it turns out it was used in an armed robbery 30 years ago or something! The body is pretty clean really underneath, so don't want to leave an opportunity pass if it's all ok. Can anyone shed some light?

Cheers,

Daley.

10 years isn't long for it to be off the road, there should be record of it

I've registered a few cars with no previous rego history in Vic, and they're pretty relaxed about it... they make you sign a statutory declaration to take liability for proof of ownership and prior registration and you're good

Country offices are better than those in Melbourne - they tend to be less uptight

The only risk is that it's been stolen, you can give them a ring and see if you can work out if the car number is on a stolen register but I'd doubt it

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

My guess is ten years at least, probably 20 to be honest! Thanks for the suggestions, I'll call tomorrow and see if I can check it out.

if it's 20, then you might as well say it's been unregistered since the early 80's - before computerised records

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did I tell you that I won a trophy?

ah I see! Not your first Rodeo!

He's had a few Ceilidh's as well!

Get every number you can find off the shell before ringing but mainly the body number and engine number (assuming it is the original)

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"Show me the Mini!"

Vicroads has an Archive Section. You can write to them and for a relatively small fee they can do a check based on what info you can give them. I gave them my body and engine number and current number plate and they then replied with all the number plates my car has had and I now have the original number plate back on the car. They also sent me a copy of the original 1969 first rego papers from the Police Station (with owner name and address blacked out). I did this 10 years ago and I think the archive office has now moved from Denmark St, Kew so call vicroads registration section on 131171 or head office on 98542666 and ask them for a contact number. I know you dont have a current rego number but check with them and they may be able to do it using your engine / body number. They were very helpful at the time. I hope this may help you. Cheers.

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Flute - 68 MK I Cooper S
Member: VMCI #2474
Member: International Mini Model Collectors Club

Do a PPSR Search BEFORE you buy the vehicle.
This will tell you if it has any outstanding monies owing on it (which is unlikely)
But also if it is listed as written off, or stolen.
Also, if you do the check BEFORE you buy the vehicle and it comes back clean, then when you buy it you are covered by a number of protections.

https://www.ppsr.gov.au/buying-a-car

Also, make sure you get a receipt from the guy who currently owns it that basically says...

I, <name>
of <address>
<phone>

have purchased the following vehicle
<type, model year>
<chassis number>
<engine number>
etc

From <seller name>
<address>
<phone>

For the sum of <price>

and make sure you both sign and print your names at the bottom.


you need this when you take it to vic roads with your roadworthy to get it registered.
you need the receipt for both proof of ownership, and proof of purchase price for the tax you pay on the first rego of to vehicle.

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1975 Hairy Lime/White Clubby
Build Thread: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=80657

Thanks for the advice.

Rang Vic roads and they have no record of the car. The lady mentioned that to register I either need proof of previous registration in Australia or matching chassis and vin plate numbers.

She did mention to contact the PPSR. All good advice.

I know about the receipts required etc. I have purchased cars before in Australia just not a 53 year old enigma!

I need to go check the chassis number on the car to make sure it matches. Seems to be a lot of conflicting info on where it's located. Anyone know where on an early 850?

Want to make sue it's all above board before I hand over the dollars and pick it up.

Good discussion on numbers here...

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52986&p=632530&hilit=850+body+number#p632530

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"Show me the Mini!"

Are you sure it was last registered in Victoria (if at all). Project cars can easily cross state borders and there is no central national system like DVLH or whatever. Each state ran/runs there own records historically. For current rego, there is certainly mutual cooperation on id, but I'd doubt it on lapsed rego.

Are there any plates or stickers on it which might identify it being from VIC, or another state?

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This is what happened with mine, I had to contact each state/territory and check with their historic records for my mini as it hadn't been registered for at least 20 years as far as the previous owner knew and then he wasn't sure of that.... There is no record of the body number or engine number of my mini listed anywhere in the country nor are they listed anywhere as stolen so in theory I became it's the first registered owner

Mind you it took lots of ringing around and patience.......................

Yeah, it's funny to me as in Ireland, once a car has a registration number plate, that's it's registration forever.

There was a set of plates with the car but I think they are off something else. There is a lot of bits and these were in a box. It's off a 1970 so it's not related.

Anyway, I'll keep plugging away. Thanks all.

Daley...please don't get us all started on the appalling shemozzle that is the Australian vehicle Registration and Licencing "system"

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"Show me the Mini!"