1-3: Location and Manufacturer
S = Europe
A = U.K.
R = MG Rover

4-5 = Marque & Model
RJ = Rover 75 & MG ZT
RX = Rover 75 V8 & MG ZT 260 V8

Trim level

75:
H = Classic & Classic SE (TL2)
S = Club & Club SE (“Comfort” TL4)
Z = Connoisseur & Connoisseur SE (TL7)
C = Contemporary & Contemporary SE (TL8)

ZT:
X = Base Spec (Non + models) (TL5.1)
L = Plus Spec (+ models) (TL7.1)
G = Top Range Spec (Sports Leather) (TL8.9)

7 = Body Type
L = Saloon
T = Tourer

8 = Engine
E = ZT 160PS 2500 Petrol
F = ZT 190PS 2500 Petrol
G = V8 4.6 litre 2 valves per cyl Petrol
H = CDT 2000 Diesel
K= 2000 Petrol
L = 2500 Petrol
N = ZT 180PS 2500 Petrol
P = 1.8 1800 Petrol
R = 1.8T 1800 Petrol Turbo
T = ZT 160PS 1.8T 1800 Petrol

9 = Transmission & R/L HD
B = 1800 Petrol (Non Turbo) Manual RHD (Just Manual/RHD on V8 cars)
C = 2000 Diesel Manual RHD
D = 2000 Petrol Manual RHD
E = Rover 75 2500 Petrol Manual RHD
F = MG ZT 190 2500 Petrol Manual RHD
G = 1800 Petrol (Turbo) Manual RHD
J = 1800 Petrol Auto RHD (Just Auto/RHD on V8 Cars)
K = 2000 Diesel Auto RHD
L = 2000 Petrol Auto RHD
M = 2500 Petrol Auto RHD
N = 1800 Petrol (Non Turbo) Manual LHD (Just Manual/LHD on V8 cars)[TBC]
P = 2000 Diesel Manual LHD
R = 2000 Petrol Manual LHD
S = Rover 75 2500 Petrol Manual LHD
T = MG ZT 190 2500 Petrol Manual LHD
U = 1800 Petrol (Turbo) Manual LHD [TBC]
W = 1800 Petrol Auto LHD (Just Auto/LHD on V8 Cars)[TBC]
X = 2000 Diesel Auto LHD
Y = 2000 Petrol Auto LHD
Z = 2500 Petrol Auto LHD

10 = Model Year
X = 1999 Model Year
Y = 2000 Model Year
1 = 2001 Model Year
2 = 2002 Model Year
3 = 2003 Model Year
4 = 2004 Model Year
5 = 2005 Model Year

11 = Assembly Plant
D = Longbridge
M = Cowley

12-17 = Serial number of Vehicle


Before anyone says "that's mine" I collated this from 3-4 sources so, bits of it may be yours for which I thank you.

 

Vin numbers and serial number listings

Kelvin,

Many thanks for the small mine of v. useful info on the Rover 75 Vins.

Glad to say it checks out with the vehicle.

Would be great to know the approx. run of last 6 digit numbers to place the car in the entire manufacturing run,

 

Kelvin,

Many thanks for the small mine of v. useful info on the Rover 75 Vins.

Glad to say it checks out with the vehicle.

Would be great to know the approx. run of last 6 digit numbers to place the car in the entire manufacturing run,

Yours ( VIN 350343 ) was built 02/02/2005

 

I don't know you how you do this but it is great to have this info. Many thanks indeed.

 

I don't know you how you do this but it is great to have this info. Many thanks indeed.

Xpart bought the original security codes database from MG Rover which include the build dates for many vehicles

 

Hi,

I was just using the above to check what my VIN details and according to this my ZT-T was built in 2005 but checking my log book it was first registered in May 2004 which corresponds with it being an 04 plate.

How could it be an 04 plate and 1st registered in May 2004 if it wasn't supposed to have been built until 2005?

Am I totally reading this wrong lol.

Kristlee.

 

The year code given in the VIN sequence refers to the model year. This does not necessarily correspond with the year of manufacture (typically, the revisions for the specified model year are introduced to production cars sometime during the previous year).

In your case, I assume it is a facelift ZT. The facelift cars were recorded as 2005 model year (even though they started to be built and sold in early 2004).

If you want a fuller and clearer decode of the VIN sequence, the best place to look is here: http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/content--name-MG-Rover-75-and-MGZT-Vehicle-Information. The information there will allow you to decode the VIN, engine number, gearbox code, paint and trim codes.

If you want to know more about some of the build information, you can look here: http://www.mg-rover.info/index.htm.

The serial number sequence (the last 6 digits of the VIN) covered the Rover 75 as well as the MG ZT (except the V8 engined cars) and the last recorded serial was 355194, which was a Firefrost red Rover 75 CDTi Connoisseur.

 

Cheers mate,

That clears a lot up. Funnily enough my ZT-T is firefrost red but the serial number is 329...lol

Kristlee.

 

Hi all, I've just joined here and although I do not actually have a 'Rover' as such, I have three late Rover Minis, and I also happen to run the Cooper Sport 500 Register & 2000 mini register clubs in the UK for the last of the line minis.
One of the things I am always getting asked is "do I know what the build date of my car is" from members, and I can only give an estimated date.
Does the VIN check data extend to the late minis as well? The online checker does not allow VINs of SAX to be typed in (which is what the minis all start with), but as the mini shared the same production line at Longbridge as the MGF in its final year or so, would seem odd that the data for the late cars (2000 production) is not available too? Would be great if build date info is available for these cars too.