Beware: Fake registration numbers on Imported Cars (proof on Pg 3) - Team-BHP

v12 · 25th February 2004, 11:41

Hi guys,
We all know that most of the phoren cars here are illegally imported by avoiding import duties. I had read in the papers 2 years back about the import scam at the ports. They had mentioned about the modus-operandi. A new 2002 Landcruiser was imported and unloaded at the ports. The car wud then be driven out and an old Landcruiser was taken in and duty calculated on the older model. The old car would be registered at the local RTO and the number would be used by the 2002 LC. This way they wud avoid duties on imported cars.

Well yesterday I seen an S55 AMG. I've been seeing this car very often. And I will recognise the car anywhere. Its a dark gray colored S. Well what I noticed was that the "S55 *AMG" badging was gone. Instead there was a "S320 *CDI" badging at the rear. Now who's heard of a diesel S320

? And the registration number had also changed from "HR----" to "AP----".

Well I also seen a silver S Class yest. It had Brabus alloy wheels and a S320 AMG badging at the rear. Clear lens [front and rear] lights that suggest its a S350 ad not an S320. It had the regn number "MH-02-KA----". KA means that it was registered in 2000-2001. But the S350 was introduced just last year. So how cud a 2003 car have a 2001 regn number. Anyways it cud be that the guy had fixed the S350 lights on his S320.

I've also seen a Honda Odyssey[new 2002 model] bearing regn number MH-04-AC-////. AC means its a 1995-96 regn. How is this possible. I've seen the same number on another car too.

Isnt it surprising??

Also seen a Toyota MR-S some years back, i think 2000. It had regn number MH-01-S////. Thats 1995. And the MR-S wasnt introduced in 1995. back then it was only the MR2.

So guys, please beware. Before buying an imported car, please verify the authenticity of the registration number at the RTO. You could be buying a stolen car or a car that hasnt been legally imported. It cud cause trouble in the future. Prevention is better than cure.

GTO · 25th February 2004, 11:53

V12,

The S320 CDI is offered on sale by Mercedes Benz in various countries (I believe Europeanm destinations being the most popular). And correct me if I am wrong...Sanghi Motor Cars which is Bombays premier dealer of Mercedes-Benz's had included a 4 page advertising supplement with the Times of India. In that paper too, they had listed the S320 CDI.

Yes the absolute lack of technology in the RTO offices alongwith no integration of data between the various RTO branches is to blame for this. Look around at the Mahindra offices...You will see tons of Mahindras bearing the SAME registration numbers (primarily MH-15 registrations i.e. Nasik). In fact, its also a common practice for Mahindras and Tatas to frequently use the same numberplate on different vehicles.

I have also heard of lots of people getting scammed by these used car dealers who can sell you a Lexus relatively cheap. The Customs department then contacts the buyer of the car after a year or so with a notice to pay up or surrender the vehicle for auctions.

Sad...illegal....but a horrid truth.

Thanks for providing this information to all of us V12

GTO

ajmat · 25th February 2004, 14:32

Funny you mention this, I saw a Porsche 996 in Bangalore with an HR 18 no which can be traced to a vague village in Haryana. Did not make sense until now.

v12 · 25th February 2004, 14:41

most of the super[b]cars have an HR-18 regn. The 360, SL55 AMG, S55 AMG etc all have HR regn.

abdriver2000 · 25th February 2004, 16:03

>>>KA means that it was registered in 2000-2001

The KA series was introduced in 2003.

Thanks for the informative article.

v12 · 25th February 2004, 18:58

oh sorry. i got confused between KA and K.

v12 · 25th February 2004, 23:19

hey abdriver, KA isnt 2003. Its 2001-2002. cos my neighbour has a City [Mh02LA] and that is a 2003 model.

Revvmaster · 26th February 2004, 03:00

Hey V12

LA is a 2002 registration. My Zen is an LA registration 2002, and the no. is pretty much one of the last ones, being 96**. KA is 01-02 btw IMO.

v12 · 26th February 2004, 10:14

ooops sorry again. i thought it was an early 2002 City. Its a late 2002 [Oct Nov, i guess] model.
For 2004 its NA, right??

ajmat · 7th March 2004, 17:57

Further to stuff posted by grim reaper -I note a lot of imported cars have the number HR 18 - it is a small village called Lohan or something like that - what's the catch ?

v12 · 7th March 2004, 23:25

most of the cars at choksis are also HR regd. The 360, SL55, S55 etc are HR registered.

Rehaan · 8th March 2004, 01:08

My GUESS would be that somebody at choksis' brother is the head of the RTO there or soemthing like that! ;-]

Dippy · 8th March 2004, 01:56

Looks like most of our exotics are from Haryana. Looks like village may soon get the title " Exotic Village"

Cheers

v12 · 8th January 2005, 11:54

Todays Westside Plus has an article on a Black 350Z registered as MH-04-X-786. Its definitely a fake regn. The 350Z was never there in 1995. So how come it had a 95 regn. I'm happy i'm not that reporter or this racket wud have been busted years ago with Scoop pics also

lamborghini · 8th January 2005, 14:16

hey GTO even skoda cars have the same no. in their ads - MH 06 T 619

guys this is the reason i never buy imported unless its from a proper person like an authorised dealer

25th February 2004, 11:41	#1 (permalink)
v12 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,893 View My Garage	Beware: Fake registration numbers on Imported Cars (proof on Pg 3) Hi guys, We all know that most of the phoren cars here are illegally imported by avoiding import duties. I had read in the papers 2 years back about the import scam at the ports. They had mentioned about the modus-operandi. A new 2002 Landcruiser was imported and unloaded at the ports. The car wud then be driven out and an old Landcruiser was taken in and duty calculated on the older model. The old car would be registered at the local RTO and the number would be used by the 2002 LC. This way they wud avoid duties on imported cars. Well yesterday I seen an S55 AMG. I've been seeing this car very often. And I will recognise the car anywhere. Its a dark gray colored S. Well what I noticed was that the "S55 AMG" badging was gone. Instead there was a "S320 CDI" badging at the rear. Now who's heard of a diesel S320? And the registration number had also changed from "HR----" to "AP----". Well I also seen a silver S Class yest. It had Brabus alloy wheels and a S320 AMG badging at the rear. Clear lens [front and rear] lights that suggest its a S350 ad not an S320. It had the regn number "MH-02-KA----". KA means that it was registered in 2000-2001. But the S350 was introduced just last year. So how cud a 2003 car have a 2001 regn number. Anyways it cud be that the guy had fixed the S350 lights on his S320. I've also seen a Honda Odyssey[new 2002 model] bearing regn number MH-04-AC-////. AC means its a 1995-96 regn. How is this possible. I've seen the same number on another car too. Isnt it surprising?? Also seen a Toyota MR-S some years back, i think 2000. It had regn number MH-01-S////. Thats 1995. And the MR-S wasnt introduced in 1995. back then it was only the MR2. So guys, please beware. Before buying an imported car, please verify the authenticity of the registration number at the RTO. You could be buying a stolen car or a car that hasnt been legally imported. It cud cause trouble in the future. Prevention is better than cure. __________________ Enfield Cafe Racer completed. Yamaha Cafe Racer started.

25th February 2004, 11:53	#2 (permalink)
GTO Super-Admin Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 12,190 View My Garage	V12, The S320 CDI is offered on sale by Mercedes Benz in various countries (I believe Europeanm destinations being the most popular). And correct me if I am wrong...Sanghi Motor Cars which is Bombays premier dealer of Mercedes-Benz's had included a 4 page advertising supplement with the Times of India. In that paper too, they had listed the S320 CDI. Yes the absolute lack of technology in the RTO offices alongwith no integration of data between the various RTO branches is to blame for this. Look around at the Mahindra offices...You will see tons of Mahindras bearing the SAME registration numbers (primarily MH-15 registrations i.e. Nasik). In fact, its also a common practice for Mahindras and Tatas to frequently use the same numberplate on different vehicles. I have also heard of lots of people getting scammed by these used car dealers who can sell you a Lexus relatively cheap. The Customs department then contacts the buyer of the car after a year or so with a notice to pay up or surrender the vehicle for auctions. Sad...illegal....but a horrid truth. Thanks for providing this information to all of us V12 GTO __________________ GTO Self-imposed limits are the only type that exist. Break them....then, make it a habit. Exceed. Please don't PM for support. Use the Contact Form instead. Please read the NEW Team-BHP FAQ section for all your queries.

25th February 2004, 14:32	#3 (permalink)
ajmat Team-BHP Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,224 View My Garage	Funny you mention this, I saw a Porsche 996 in Bangalore with an HR 18 no which can be traced to a vague village in Haryana. Did not make sense until now. __________________ I love the whoosh, but i miss the bellowing

25th February 2004, 14:41	#4 (permalink)
v12 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,893 View My Garage	most of the super[b]cars have an HR-18 regn. The 360, SL55 AMG, S55 AMG etc all have HR regn. __________________ Enfield Cafe Racer completed. Yamaha Cafe Racer started.

25th February 2004, 18:58	#6 (permalink)
v12 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,893 View My Garage	oh sorry. i got confused between KA and K. __________________ Enfield Cafe Racer completed. Yamaha Cafe Racer started.

25th February 2004, 16:03	#5 (permalink)
abdriver2000 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 111 View My Garage	>>>KA means that it was registered in 2000-2001 The KA series was introduced in 2003. Thanks for the informative article.

25th February 2004, 23:19	#7 (permalink)
v12 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,893 View My Garage	hey abdriver, KA isnt 2003. Its 2001-2002. cos my neighbour has a City [Mh02LA] and that is a 2003 model. __________________ Enfield Cafe Racer completed. Yamaha Cafe Racer started.

26th February 2004, 03:00	#8 (permalink)
Revvmaster BANNED Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,213	Hey V12 LA is a 2002 registration. My Zen is an LA registration 2002, and the no. is pretty much one of the last ones, being 96**. KA is 01-02 btw IMO.

26th February 2004, 10:14	#9 (permalink)
v12 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,893 View My Garage	ooops sorry again. i thought it was an early 2002 City. Its a late 2002 [Oct Nov, i guess] model. For 2004 its NA, right?? __________________ Enfield Cafe Racer completed. Yamaha Cafe Racer started.

7th March 2004, 17:57	#10 (permalink)
ajmat Team-BHP Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,224 View My Garage	Further to stuff posted by grim reaper -I note a lot of imported cars have the number HR 18 - it is a small village called Lohan or something like that - what's the catch ? __________________ I love the whoosh, but i miss the bellowing

7th March 2004, 23:25	#11 (permalink)
v12 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,893 View My Garage	most of the cars at choksis are also HR regd. The 360, SL55, S55 etc are HR registered. __________________ Enfield Cafe Racer completed. Yamaha Cafe Racer started.

8th March 2004, 01:08	#12 (permalink)
Rehaan Team-BHP Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay / New York Posts: 7,580	My GUESS would be that somebody at choksis' brother is the head of the RTO there or soemthing like that! ;-] __________________ The memory of you will ride by our side forever.

8th March 2004, 01:56	#13 (permalink)
Dippy Team-BHP Moderator Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai, India Posts: 4,926 View My Garage	Looks like most of our exotics are from Haryana. Looks like village may soon get the title " Exotic Village" Cheers __________________ My name is Adrian Sutil. You can call me ADDY - Force India dippy@team-bhp.com

8th January 2005, 11:54	#14 (permalink)
v12 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 2,893 View My Garage	Todays Westside Plus has an article on a Black 350Z registered as MH-04-X-786. Its definitely a fake regn. The 350Z was never there in 1995. So how come it had a 95 regn. I'm happy i'm not that reporter or this racket wud have been busted years ago with Scoop pics also __________________ Enfield Cafe Racer completed. Yamaha Cafe Racer started.

8th January 2005, 14:16	#15 (permalink)
lamborghini Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Mumbai/Smithfield, RI, USA Posts: 2,715 View My Garage	hey GTO even skoda cars have the same no. in their ads - MH 06 T 619 guys this is the reason i never buy imported unless its from a proper person like an authorised dealer __________________ ¢нєєяѕ ℓαмвσ lamborghinirules@gmail.com

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Exotic Cars in Chennai. EDIT : FAKE and CAUGHT!!	shanthan	Super-Cars & Imports in India	127	11th September 2007 01:16
are imported used cars dealers crazy	amannarwal	The Indian Car Scene!!	52	1st June 2007 13:22
Vehicle Registration Blues!! Address proof for gypsies like me	shad0ww	Shifting gears	12	27th April 2007 13:15
Imported Cars for Sale in Kerala	ajmat	Super-Cars & Imports in India	22	9th May 2006 10:51
Imported cars mela	salil_kulkarni	Shifting gears	4	13th October 2004 23:11