I need VIN # help - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

nixRsix · 02-12-2009, 03:45 PM

I just bought a 2005 M7 on ebay because the guy was local small dealership and the ebay auction stated a clear title. I won the auction based on it having a clear title. When I drove and picked it up, it had a salvage title. He bought a brand new tunnel/frame and the whole sled is in good running condition. I later found out the new tunnel didn't have a VIN # stamped into it. The sled came from Nevada and I live in California. In nevada you dont register sleds I guess, but in California, I need to register it. He still has the old tunnel w/ the VIN # in it.

My question is, how to I get the VIN # on the new tunnel so I can register it in California??? I called Arctic Cat and some lady told me I'm screwed and the only way to get the VIN stamped into the new tunnel is to cut out the VIN of the salvaged tunnel and send it to them, they'll stamp it in the new tunnel and then send you the tunnel. But I have to do that before I buy the tunnel, they wont do it after the fact.

This has become an annoying burden and I spent $5,000 on this and cant even get it registered to take it out.

1st i found it was salvaged
2nd i found out it has no vin on it

Did I get ripped off? Should I be trying to return this sled?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated guys....I just want to go out and ride, this is my first sled and its a nightmare!!!

nixRsix · 02-12-2009, 03:46 PM

o ya, the guy i bought it from just said he could cut out the old VIN and I could just rivit it onto the new tunnel....that seems like trouble if any officials saw that.....

JheLrey · 02-12-2009, 05:50 PM

Return it to him... It's eBay and if you paid paypal, you should be set.

dobbs · 02-12-2009, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nixRsix

o ya, the guy i bought it from just said he could cut out the old VIN and I could just rivit it onto the new tunnel....that seems like trouble if any officials saw that.....

That's more common than you think. How else would you replace a tunnel?

nixRsix · 02-12-2009, 08:03 PM

Arctic cat was saying it had to be stamped on there and its to late for me to do that now. How often do people rivet on old VIN #'s???? Is it okay to do that, will California DMV red flag that and take the snowmobile away from me or arrest me??? lol , I took the sled out and it runs awesome, I want to keep it, but I want it legal and I plan to sell it and buy a newer one in the next couple years.

dobbs · 02-12-2009, 09:14 PM

How would the DMV know? You don't take the sled into the office with you.

There are people that make custom tunnels and whole sleds from scratch.

You could always call the DMV and ask, you are not the 1st person to replace a tunnel.

I would be more bitter about being deceived by the seller. You thought you were buying a used sled, not a salvaged wreck rebuild. Who knows how this guy slapped this thing together or if it's even safe.

JheLrey · 02-12-2009, 10:02 PM

You could always get steel stamps, the vin number, and punch your own!

I'd really start looking it over for crap work, or give it back. I bet he bought it for super cheap because it had a screwed up tunnel, fixed it, and sold it to you for much more!

**smallengineguy** · 02-13-2009, 06:25 AM

I'd also call the DMV and see what they say. I know here in NH, custom made items get issued a VIN from the state.