Mini Chassis/VIN Numbers and Commission Numbers

Part 2: 1980 – 2000

Compiled by Chuck Heleker and Ian Frearson

(Revised April 29, 2004)

 

 

The information used to compile the following was taken from factory service parts lists, factory microfiche, and factory CDs. Under close scrutiny, there appears to be some conflicts and mistakes in the factory number schemes, but, for the most part, the listings are accurate enough for car identification.

 

Please note that the Chassis (VIN) number and the Commission number are only one indication of the actual model and date of the car. The Chassis number plate is easily duplicated, especially on early cars, and it is not unusual for later cars not meeting US DOT and EPA standards to have earlier Chassis number plates attached to them to get them into the US illegally. Also, Chassis number plates have been known to be “faked” to turn a less valuable car into a more valuable one; e.g., a standard Saloon into a Cooper or Cooper S.

 

Please scroll down to view relevant sections.

 

 

Oct 1980 to Nov 1985 – English Built

 

VIN

 

            Note that the VIN plate for these cars is likely marked, “Austin Rover Group LTD”

 

            It is possible that the dating in the factory microfiche is incorrect and the change date is October 1984, not 1985. Major changes were made by October 1984 (for instance, 8.4” brakes and 12” wheels became standard).

 

The general format for the VIN for these cars is:

 

SAX-X-K2S1N-XXX-A

 

VIN, First Three Positions (“SAX” in the above example):

 

            This is the World Make Identifier. The factory microfiche indicates this was started on these cars in Feb 1981.

 

            SAX = MG-Rover

 

VIN, Fourth Position (“X” in the above example):

 

            This is simply dismissed by the factory as “non significant”!

 

VIN, Fifth Position (“K” in the above example):

 

= Engine type

 

C = 1098cc

K = 848cc

L = 998cc

 

VIN, Sixth (and Seventh) Position (“2S” in the above example):

 

= Body type

 

2S = 2-door saloon/sedan. Caution: bureaucratic bungles often interpret this as 25 (twenty-five)

2W = Estate (“2 Door Dual Purpose”)

G = P.O. Mail Van

U = Pick-up. Caution: U and V can be mistaken one for the other.

V = Panel van. Caution: U and V can be mistaken one for the other.

 

VIN, Eighth Position (“1” in the above example):

 

= Series of model

 

1 = Round nose, traditional Mini body style.

2 = Clubman, square nose style.

 

VIN, Ninth Position (“N” in the above example):

 

= Specification

 

N = HL, Special, HLE, or Mayfair

R = Mini 25

S = Mayfair (LHD – France only)

 

VIN, Number positions (“###” in the above example):

 

= The sequential build number:

 

            Build numbers are not listed. It is suspected that they carry on with the numbers from the previous series of cars; i.e., numbers were not started from 101, again.

 

VIN, Last position (“A” in the above example):

 

= Assembly plant. Officially, “Internal Use Only”

 

            If used at all, this would be “A” for English built cars.

 

A = Longbridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nov 1985 to Circa 1990?? – English Built

 

VIN

 

            Note that the VIN plate for these cars is likely marked, “Austin Rover Group LTD”

 

            It is possible that the start date is really November 1984, not 1985 as stated in the factory microfiche.

 

The general format for the VIN for these cars is:

 

SAX-X-L2S1N20-XXX-A

 

VIN, First Three Positions (“SAX” in the above example)

 

            This is the World Make Identifier.

 

            SAX = MG-Rover

 

VIN, Fourth Position (“X” in the above example):

 

            This is simply dismissed by the factory as “non significant”!

 

VIN, Fifth Position (“L” in the above example):

 

= Engine type

 

L = 998cc

 

VIN, Sixth (and Seventh) Position (“2S” in the above example):

 

= Body type

 

2S = 2-door saloon/sedan. Caution: bureaucratic bungles often interpret this as 25 (twenty-five)

 

VIN, Eighth Position (“1” in the above example):

 

= Series of body

 

1 = Round nose, traditional Mini body style.

 

VIN, Ninth Position (“N” in the above example):

 

= Class

 

N = HLE, Mayfair (RHD)

O = E, City E

S = Mayfair (LHD)

 

VIN, Tenth Position (“2” in the above example):

 

= Model year

 

2 = 1984 on (This conflicts with the microfiche indicating this position was used starting in November 1985.)

 

VIN, Eleventh Position (“0” in the above example):

 

= Steering

 

0 = RHD

1 = LHD

 

VIN, Number positions (“###” in the above example):

 

= The sequential build number:

 

            Build numbers are not listed. It is suspected that they carry on with the numbers from the previous series of cars; i.e., numbers were not started from 101, again.

 

VIN, Last position (“A” in the above example):

 

= Assembly plant. Officially, “Internal Use Only”

 

            If used at all, this would be “A” for English built cars.

 

A = Longbridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

1990 XN-----010001 On (1300cc cars only) – English Built

 

VIN

 

The general format for the VIN for these cars is:

 

SAX-XN-N-A-Y-B-B-D-######

 

VIN, First Three Positions (“SAX” in the above example)

 

            = World Make Identifier.

 

            SAX = MG-Rover

 

VIN, Fourth and Fifth Positions (“XN” in the above example):

 

            XN = Mini 1300

 

VIN, Sixth Position (“N” in the above example):

 

= Class

 

N = Sport, Cooper, Cabriolet

V = Kensington

W = HLS, Mayfair

Y = City, Sprite

 

VIN, Seventh Position (“A” in the above example):

 

= Body type

 

A = 2-door saloon/sedan.

B = Cabriolet

 

VIN, Eighth Position (“Y” in the above example):

 

= Engine

 

D = 1300 Carb

M = 1300 Carb

X = 1300 SPi (standard compression ratio, 9.4:1)

Y = 1300 SPi (high compression ratio, 10.1:1)

Z = 1300 MPi (high compression ratio, 10.1:1)

 

VIN, Ninth Position (“B” in the above example):

 

= RHD/LHD, Transmission type, Final Drive

 

B = RHD, Manual, 3.105

C = RHD, Manual, 3.21

E = RHD, Manual, 2.76

K = RHD, Automatic

M = LHD, Manual, 3.105

N = LHD, Manual, 3.21

R = LHD, Manual, 2.76

Y = LHD, Automatic

 

VIN, Tenth Position (“B” in the above example):

 

= Model Change

 

A = 1300 Special Edition

B = 1300

 

VIN, Eleventh Position (“D” in the above example):

 

= Assembly Plant

 

D = Longbridge

 

VIN, Number positions (“######” in the above example):

 

= The sequential build number:

 

            Starting with 010001

 

Chuck Heleker and Ian Frearson
Article Date: May 11, 2004
Car Accociations: MINI,
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