If you want to be within the law, go to your local state highway department and ask them. A few months ago, I would have removed the VIN from a used replacement dash and riveted my old VIN to the replacement and thought I was doing the right thing. That was before an attorney told me it was illegal. Undoubtedly, that sort of thing is done and seems to be the easiest solution to replacing parts, but it opens up another issue altogether.

Some states allow replacement parts with a different VIN, so long as you have receipts to show where the parts were purchased (to slow down chop-shop activity). Whether they mark the title or not, I don't know.

There are other areas than the door, dash and A-pillar where VINs are hidden - some are under a section of carpet held down by velcro, some are on the frame, some on the inner fender, the firewall and in the trunk. Each manufacturer has a different "hidey-hole" - often more than one, so I would guess that you shouldn't have to worry about a VIN from a removable part casting suspicion on you - as long as you are prepared to explain it to anyone who looks at the door plate and asks questions. The problem sometimes is that the explanation can take a lot of time and maybe even money.

So, I guess I can't really give anyone advice on what to do about that situation...... it is very prevalent and I've never heard of anyone getting into trouble for that - but I would want to ask someone at my local motor vehicle department before (or after) I did it.

Frank