20 years ago or so there was an online Jaguar database where one could type in the VIN and print out a nice sheet with all information about given car. Is there still such a database somewhere?

 

I did use ford ETIS in the past but it has not returned any results for some time.

 

I downloaded the Jaguar VIN Decoder file using the link from sticky. My VIN code does not solve using this document (is it for US models only?). Other VIN links in this sticky seem to be dead.

Any ideas how to decode my VIN are appreciated. It is SAJJNAEW4BCxxxxxx.

 

Try this post: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/g...tables-145996/

 

Found this (attachment), it sheds some light on my VIN. Still wondering why my VIN does not decode - or decodes plain wrong, I found a website and it tells me my XJ-S is manufactured 2011.

 

The websites decoders are pointless, so don't bother with them.

Your car has a 1981 VIN number, but I notice that you list it as a 1986 in your signature - is that the source of the problem?

The pdf you attached lists the vin range of the last 6 digits for each year - you haven't given your full vin, but where do the last 6 digits fit in terms of that chart?

 

In that chart my car is 1986, my registration tells it is 1987. I was explained they put the registration date on the registration instead of manufacturing date.
The problem is I'd like this car shipped over here (US) from Europe. The government customs website mentions I may need to prove this car is at least 25 years old. So I'm trying to figure out a way to prove it is either '86 or '87. There is no label found in this car with manufacturing date.

 

How particular are the customs folk? The car is pre-facelift and as such can not be less than around 27 years old. just depends on whether they accept common sense or not.

 

Common sense and government services? Don't expect them to know anything about these cars. I want to be prepared.

 

I'm assuming the VIN you posted was a typo, because you list the 10th digit as 'B' which is a 1981 build?

 

No typo. I am not the first owner of this car. Who knows what voodoo has been done. The car is German spec, with oil cooler and whatever they put on German cars. No cats. It has been a long time since I was interested in XJ-S details. What was changed from 1981 to 1986?

 

It's not the change in details that I'm querying, rather the fact that the car seems to have been manufactured in 1981 not in 1985. What are the next three digits on the VIN?

 

According to the sheet I attached earlier it is 1986. But who knows, this VIN decoding is rather confusing. Attached a picture. I happen to know there is another place with VIN somewhere underneath, it was checked by authorities and it did match.

 

A "B" in 10th position indicates a coupe in the case of German or most other non US cars.
The same letter (B) in that position for US, Canada and Korean cars is indeed "1981"

 

Thanks! This explains it, I already got worried.

 

This is just my two cents:

You need to prove the age of the car. You have a VIN. Why not contact Jaguar Heritage and get the certificate? That should have all the info you need, and it's from the Manufacturer... not a web site, so should have some bit of authority to it.

 

Thanks, I may do just that.

 

Many of the fields in the VIN are not defined by the VIN standard. US legislation adds some additional definitions including the year letter, if its not a US model then it probably doesn't have a year code. The online sites tend to be US based.