Hey I hope someone can advise me.

I have just moved from UK to Portugal with my Fiat car, I am trying to do everything legally to keep my car there permanently, but have come across a big problem... my chassis number rusted off, apparently a fairly common problem in UK, and isn't too much of a problem in UK as to pass MOT in UK only one identifying number is (which i have on the engine) necessary to pass an MOT, my problem is to pass the test for matricification (like an MOT) in Portugal, it is necessary to have 2 identification numbers on the car.

How to get a replacement number legally put on your car??? Or is there another identification number anywhere on the car apart from chassis and engine? My car is a 1999 Barchetta, but am posting here as other Fiat owners might know the solutions.. I don't want to loose my car because of this :-/

I think you'll need to speak to Fiat Portugal. Any replacement plate will need to be a genuine Fiat one, or we could all be stamping them out in our sheds.
Deep in the back of my mind, I thought that all cars from a certain age had 3 locations. The plate, usually under the carpet in front footwell and somewhere else, possible the boot area. Re-check the handbook, or ask Fiat Portugal.

portland_bill said:

I think you'll need to speak to Fiat Portugal. Any replacement plate will need to be a genuine Fiat one, or we could all be stamping them out in our sheds.
Deep in the back of my mind, I thought that all cars from a certain age had 3 locations. The plate, usually under the carpet in front footwell and somewhere else, possible the boot area. Re-check the handbook, or ask Fiat Portugal.

Click to expand...

Yes the Barchetta has 3 locations.

The chassis number is stamped into the floor accessed by a plastic flap in the footwell carpet (passenger side from memory near to the seat), the engine numbers are stamped into the block, and the chassis plate affixed to the crossmember in the engine bay.

If you're in any doubt the owners handbook clearly shows where everything is. If you don't have an owners handbook I'd advise you to download the one from the downloads section of this website.

Hope this helps.

VIN tag = silver plate riveted in a prominent place,

carries;
Engine + Chassis numbers,

along with variant ( body type), colour, etc

charlie