Vin and Serial number versus title
We recently purchased a used motorhome from a local dealler. The title says its a 2006, the vin number, window sticker (found in MH paperwork) and serial number say its a 2005. Called Holiday Rambler ...
Forum Discussion
When a vehicle is built, the manufacturer issues a MSO (Manufacturers Statement of Origin)which is the controlling document for the vehicle. The MSO will contain the serial number and the year model. The manufacturer can designate any unit the next model year if it is built after January 1. They could call a unit built in January of 2005 a 2006.
On the other hand, the chassis manufacturer can designate the year model of the chassis and because of mandatory changes decreed by the government, may well call a chassis a 2004 right up to December 31, 2004. This has been particularly common with some of the mandated diesel engine changes in the last few years. It would be easy for a chassis to be produced late December 2004 and then shipped to a motor home manufacturer in January. The motor home manufactured could then produce the motor home in March or April based on 2006 specs and designate it a 2006 model year.
When the dealer sells the unit retail for the first time, they supply the MSO to the DMV of the state it is to be titled in. The DMV then simply designates the model year the same as appearing on the MSO. If you go back to the DMV that titled it originally, they should be able to verify they titled it correctly the first time.
From the view of the dealer who sold it to you, they simply purchased the motor home or traded it in and received a title reading 2006 with matching serial numbers. They cannot title it any other way when they sell it and would have no reason to suspect it to be the wrong year.
Should you go back and trace the title lineage and find a mistake in the chain, you will set off an entire series of problems. Each person who has ever held ownership since the mistake may or may not have been made will have liability. It would be an interesting discussion as to what the value difference would be today. On a used seven or eight year old motor home, mileage and condition are far more important than model year to determine value.
You can pretty well bet the dealer who sold it to you did not make the mistake, if in fact one was even made. Most likely he is a victim as well if there is a mistake. Unless you know there was a substantial difference between a 2005 and a 2006 that materially would effect value or usability, you are financially ahead to leave it alone.
On the other hand, the chassis manufacturer can designate the year model of the chassis and because of mandatory changes decreed by the government, may well call a chassis a 2004 right up to December 31, 2004. This has been particularly common with some of the mandated diesel engine changes in the last few years. It would be easy for a chassis to be produced late December 2004 and then shipped to a motor home manufacturer in January. The motor home manufactured could then produce the motor home in March or April based on 2006 specs and designate it a 2006 model year.
When the dealer sells the unit retail for the first time, they supply the MSO to the DMV of the state it is to be titled in. The DMV then simply designates the model year the same as appearing on the MSO. If you go back to the DMV that titled it originally, they should be able to verify they titled it correctly the first time.
From the view of the dealer who sold it to you, they simply purchased the motor home or traded it in and received a title reading 2006 with matching serial numbers. They cannot title it any other way when they sell it and would have no reason to suspect it to be the wrong year.
Should you go back and trace the title lineage and find a mistake in the chain, you will set off an entire series of problems. Each person who has ever held ownership since the mistake may or may not have been made will have liability. It would be an interesting discussion as to what the value difference would be today. On a used seven or eight year old motor home, mileage and condition are far more important than model year to determine value.
You can pretty well bet the dealer who sold it to you did not make the mistake, if in fact one was even made. Most likely he is a victim as well if there is a mistake. Unless you know there was a substantial difference between a 2005 and a 2006 that materially would effect value or usability, you are financially ahead to leave it alone.
