On i presume a 1967/8 Mini the body number does not match the vin number.
There is an FE number which there were no records kept but can be a source for an approximate date of manufacture.
Late 1967 was the changeover point from MK I to MK II Mini's, although a lot of the MK I's got updated / converted to MK II spec over the years.
The seller should have been open and clear with you telling you that the V5 was not present, it would have been a lot easier and a lot cheaper to fix this problem in the UK.

As much as I would love the whole story not sure it advances the cause. Vin Plate looks like it has been around the block but it is only 2 screws and it certainly doesn't match body #.  I pinged FL inspector last night, waiting to see what he comes back with.   It will sort out.
Kim

Kim. I will give david ellison a call tomorrow..  as he WILL talk to me .. and let you know about the UK title.. on your mini.. IF he has even has one. later bc

hi kim..no reason. you can NOT get a title bond there in FLA..but glad to help.. title bond title here takes about -5-6 weeks.. I can do INSTANT title on them BUT have to go to DMV in raleigh. nc..  which is about a 8-10 hour drive on a good day.. later bc  ps. does this have NEW vin plate.. ? this can be problem in NC DMV with Lic and theft..  sends up red flags..

No flags were raised by anyone along the way. Rolled on in Southampton and off in JAX without issue. CBP is happy; EPA is Happy; NHSTA is happy.  It is an 850 magic wand (Hey I love the mystery and adventure of looking for reverse) so if there is a game it is a sorry one. This is no Cooper S or even a Cooper.  I checked with Swansea and they don't show the Plate # in their system and they can't issue anything as it has already left the UK.  David says it is out of Scotland and been off the road a long time but who knows.  Given the obvious repairs (floors, sills etc) it could very well be an old barn find conglomeration that he never revived the registration in the UK.  No need to worry about an UK if it is going straight to America.

In any case I am pursuing the bonded title route and have reached out to FL folks to chase. Bond looks like it'll be $2-300 or so. Hopefully that works otherwise a fall road trip to NC may be required.  

All I want to do is drive it to get donuts on Sunday....
Kim

Malsal.. i sure do NOT either.. CBP would have SEIZED it IF I have tried to import it without a UK title..  gunslinger..  I have contact with INTERPOL/Scotland Yard   who works the port of southampton UK . She said they check EVERY vin number now going for export..   even containers..   your boy David Ellison. might have sent you a RINGER. and just changed the vin plate.. ??

Still not sure how it got here without a title.
If you bought it through Flea Bay go back on them and make him produce a title.

Appreciate the offer. I'll try using the title bond process here first and see if it gets me anywhere. I also have an inquiry going with Swansea to see what they show for the plate (EXB 262F)- It doesn't show online.   Then I might just have to hitch up a trailer and head to NC-  I hear the fall colors are nice. 
Kim

Kim.B..  glad to sort the title bond for you. cost about $200 total. BUT   I have to have the mini here in NC. for the vin inspection   with NC DMV lic and theft..) MVR 92 H and L/T 270.  I will do the title work for FREE.. as you got hosed  by the bobby pack. of 2019.. David Ellison..   i have a got calls to sort at least a DOZEN of minis that have been SEIZED by CBP in last couple years..about half  were CRUSHED. and then about half went back to the UK. and this greedy bastard RESOLD the minis and did NOT give the buyers from ebay a refund at at all.. later bc

thewerewolf wins the prize..... much to my dismay. Any further info on David welcome- clearly I didn't get the word. He has been in contact but not in any useful way.  The car is fine (assuming it is not hot). I knew it was a bitsa going in.  Not great but seems to be a sorted good driver. If I can get plates I am a happy camper.  Delivery was slower than expected via RORO (so hard to sell the 'imported in parts' approach) but it did get here and no problems on entry.  He stuck me for local delivery (which he had agreed to cover).   Sounds like my best approach is see about getting a title bond and hope nothing crawls out of the woodwork.

Kim   

Was the seller David Ellison of ebay.com FAME.. mountainminis?? I heard he had MORE cars SEIZED last week..  later bc

Listen to Malsal here..  as he is Ex Pat.... I agree on all.  Whee. I do NOT think you can do a V62,, if the V5 is NOT in your name. do NOT know how long it would take. NEVER tried to import /export car without a proper TITLE... ( I have tried this in the past with DLVA with NO luck..  I think in this case. just get a title bond and be done with it.. A storage lien.  usually takes 4-6 months here in NC> and you can NOT drive the car until it goes though the total court process.. ( MVR 260, 262,and 264.. ) you  have to do either public or private sale .. to comply with the court process.. might be different Fla??  with title bond you can get the car inspected at DMV enforcement and drive the SAME day..   later bc  

Not sure where you are in Florida but every car i have imported i have had them vin checked at different local DMV's and there was no wait or an appointment needed at any of them, but like most government run offices i find nothing goes the same way in any one of them. The person you referred to doing the circuit is the inspector for problem issues afaik. There are no yearly registrations in the UK there is a road tax system where you buy a years worth or less at a time.

You can look up the current status of your registration plate (tag) on the DVLA.Gov.uk website. When a vehicle leaves the UK there is a form attached to the V5 that you fill out stating that vehicle has been exported, a lot of times this is not done.

The Heritage certificate helps but i am guessing the seller could be re using your vin back in the UK especially if it is a desirable one from a Cooper S, even the older stock Mini ones become valuable over there so someone can avoid the yearly road tax fees.

You will need a V5C or similar a registration from another non titled State might work if you know anyone that lives in the few Sates that do not require a title and only a BOS to register an older vehicle, the two closest States to Florida are Georgia and Alabama. Once you get that you can title it in Florida.

Your other option is to get someone to do a storage lien on it and obtain a title that way.

Also you may want to check into what it takes to get an assigned ID for a car constructed from parts but they do require a list of parts and some proof they were paid for and not "acquired".

A not so legal way that has been done many times with all kinds of vehicles is to obtain a wrecked or rusted out Mini with a good vin number and paperwork and use that, although illegal here it is done in the UK with a points system for how many parts you use from the wrecked car and it is also done when re shelling a car.

It is strange that Customs let the Mini into this Country with just the paperwork you have unless you bought it in as parts in a container.

Depends if it came in a container as parts i guess he could export it without a title.

Well if it's registered in the UK, you can do V62 and then you will get a V5c and be golden.
V5c is keeper, not ownership, so you should be OK, as long as you have a UK address to use.

If not in the systems, that gets more difficult - would need some of the UK folks to chime in.

kim.. b. give me a call. I have a contact at DVLA.. but if the V5 was the seller name. you can NOT get one in yours.. btw..  who was the seller?? later bc [email protected]   home phone.. 1.704.487.6797

So car is here; seller in UK, I have not seen a V5C of any sort or other related UK form-just bill of sale.   It shipped in and was released without issue and I have all the CBP/EPA/Safety stuff. FL (or at least my version of it) won't do a VIN inspection w/o 'more'.   All the imported (from outside US) cars are inspected by someone out of the District DMV office that rides the circuit and shows up in town every other week. (Dealer window or local trooper won't cut it).  Guess I chase seller for some sort of variation on the V5C.  I am not hopeful as he has gone dark since he screwed me on delivery costs.  Anyone have any experience going to UK DVLA 'Swansea' to get replacements or otherwise track registration back?  Seems like what FL wants is something 'official' from UK tying the Seller on bill of sale to the car in some fashion. Not even sure it needs to be current/active registration.  The heritage certificate with Seller's name (he ordered it-of course his name is on it!......) impressed the local office and I thought I could slide through but that didn't work with the regional guy who has to do the VIN inspection.  - Looks like there is a way to get a bonded title in FL if I have to.   No real hurry as it is too hot here to drive it anyway......
Kim 

whee.. good question. ? I re read the post.. could be either way?/ in the US or the UK.. ?/ malsal. you can NOT export with just BILL of sale can you?? I know CBP requires a Foreign title on some type to import.. later bc

Is the seller in the UK or the US?
Is the car in the UK or US? (seems like US - but I wanted to make sure)

If you have a correct v5C from the UK the registration number EXB 262F should show on it. On a 1967 there is no second vin number to verify.
As long as the vin number on the car matches the vin number on the paperwork you should be able to go to any Florida DMV in the dealers section and get the vin verified usually without an appointment. You will need all your import documents to get this done as they research the vehicle for being possibly stolen.