240 General: How many have we lost this year?

[pete-d]

I'm not clever enough to hack into the database but I had a hunch that the P number is something like a unique key for the model on the DVLA database, generated when that model is first registered.

Based on that hunch, I think I've managed to identify 9 distinct batches of 200 series cars, as recognised by the DVLA. I know very little about the history of the 200 series, so I'd be interested if my attached analysis, based on this hunch, makes sense to someone who knows the history well.

Pete

[CTCNetwork]

Hi,

My 240 should be SORN... But then it is undergoing revitalisation..
Should be back for the summer and SORN'd again for winter....

Des. . .

[146ken]

A good try pete-d but I am quite sure that the s/r designation does not stand for sun roof. I have looked at my V5 for cars with and without a sun roof and there is no indication.

I think you are right that the pxxxx numbers are part of the DVLA system and don't relate to any particular properties of model.

You seem to have an idea of how databases work and how to search and interpret. How would you frame a request to DVLA so that we can extract a more informative list from them?

[pete-d]

Good question Ken!

I'll have a think about it.

It occurs to me that a useful question would be what the body style is - especially as the later 240/260 models didn't have the final 4/5 digit to give a clue. Prod me by PM on Friday if you've heard nothing as I have a day off and will have time to put somethought into it.

I thought long and hard about what the S/R designation might be and settled on sunroof as a factory fitted roof might affect the structural integrity (on some cars - but probably not Volvo) and therefore might be classified separately. If anyone else has any better ideas please scream.

Pete

[Glen Morangie]

Originally Posted by pete-d

Good question Ken!

I thought long and hard about what the S/R designation might be and settled on sunroof as a factory fitted roof might affect the structural integrity (on some cars - but probably not Volvo) and therefore might be classified separately. If anyone else has any better ideas please scream.

Pete

I don't think it could be sunroof, as there's only a small number in each case, and the sunroof was standard on GLE saloons (no estates had them from the factory) - so there'd be a lot more.

- wondered if it was something like 'special registration' - personal plates or something else.

It looks like the 'P' numbers are issued in sequence, so the Torslanda has a fairly high number - it might be each time the model got significant revisions, where two variants for DL and GL would be 81 - 86, 86 - 91 etc.

[foggyjames]

On the 300 series 'S/R' on the V5 (where stated) definitely DOES represent sunroof. I've only ever seen it on models with metal tilt/slide sunroofs though, not 'pop' up glass ones (also factory-fit).

cheers

James

[morsing]

Originally Posted by foggyjames

On the 300 series 'S/R' on the V5 (where stated) definitely DOES represent sunroof. I've only ever seen it on models with metal tilt/slide sunroofs though, not 'pop' up glass ones (also factory-fit).

Why would this be significant on a V5?

[foggyjames]

I have no idea why the DVLA would care...but that is what it stands for. You could get each version of the 360 (and higher spec 340s) with and without a sunroof.

cheers

James

[niloc]

I've done vehicle lookups using the reg number, and sometimes it comes up as s/r. I've always thought it was sunroof...

[pete-d]

If it does mean sunroof I guess it's to do with what the manufacturer says when they apply for type approval. If they declare separate models with and without sunroof this would be recorded. If a sunroof is standard on all cars of a particular model then it may not be declared/recorded. If a sunroof is a factory fitted option (but not a specifically declared seperate model) then it probably wouldn't be recorded.

Another example that comes to mind is the Peugeot 206 - there was a time that you could get a 206 GL s/r with sunroof or a 206 GL a/c with aircon. These were listed as seperate models even though they were essentially the same car.

Pete