If your Honda Activa scooter has completed 15 years and its chassis number is faded, rusted, or unreadable, you might face trouble during fitness renewal or re-registration at the RTO. The good news is that this issue can be legally resolved through the official RTO procedure called “Chassis Number Verification and Re-stamping Process.”
In this detailed 2025 guide, we’ll explain step-by-step how you can fix a damaged chassis number, get police verification, and complete your Activa’s re-registration smoothly.
🔍 Understanding the Chassis Number
Every vehicle, including your Activa, has a unique identification code known as the Chassis Number or VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). It acts as the vehicle’s fingerprint. This number helps the RTO, insurance companies, and police track your scooter’s ownership, accident history, and registration details.
Usually, for Honda Activa, the chassis number is stamped on the metal frame near the kick lever or under the footboard. Over time, due to exposure to water, mud, and rust, the number becomes unclear or invisible — especially after 10 to 15 years of usage.
⚠️ Common Reasons for Chassis Number Damage
- Rust formation on the metal frame
- Excessive repainting over the stamped area
- Accidental damage or welding work
- Faded engraving due to age
- Deliberate tampering (in rare cases)
Whatever the reason, if the number cannot be read properly, your Activa will not pass the fitness test or RC renewal until it’s verified and restamped officially by the RTO.
🧾 Step-by-Step Process to Fix a Damaged Chassis Number
Step 1: Visit Your RTO for Initial Inspection
The first step is to take your scooter to the original RTO where it was registered. Meet the Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) and explain that your chassis number has become unreadable due to age or rust.
The MVI will inspect the vehicle and note down the condition of the chassis area. If they find it’s genuinely unreadable and not tampered with, they’ll ask you to apply for a chassis number verification process.
Step 2: Apply for Police Verification Report (PVR)
The next step is to obtain a Police Verification Report. This report confirms that your Activa is not stolen, illegally modified, or tampered with. The RTO will give you an application format or letter for the police station.
Go to your local police station with these documents:
- Copy of RC Book / Smart Card
- Insurance Certificate
- PUC Certificate
- Owner’s ID Proof (Aadhaar / PAN / Passport)
- Vehicle photos (including old chassis area)
The police will check your RC details, verify that the scooter is not reported stolen, and then issue a written report or stamp confirming that “the chassis number is unreadable due to natural wear and tear.”
Step 3: RTO Verification and Re-stamping Approval
After submitting the police report, your RTO will initiate a second inspection. The MVI or RTO Officer will verify the police clearance and recommend official permission for re-stamping the chassis number.
This permission is issued in writing on RTO letterhead, allowing the vehicle owner to get the chassis number restamped under RTO supervision.
Step 4: Re-stamping the Chassis Number
Once approval is granted, the RTO will direct you to an authorized workshop or perform the re-stamping at the RTO premises. The same old chassis number (as per RTO records) is restamped on a clean metal surface near the original area.
This process is done using special stamping tools under the presence of the Motor Vehicle Inspector or a certified officer. The new number must exactly match the one in your registration record.
After stamping, a photograph of the restamped number is taken and attached to the inspection report for record purposes.
Step 5: Submission of Final Documents
Once re-stamping is complete, you’ll need to submit all the required documents to the RTO office for record updation and fitness approval:
- Original RC book / Smart card
- Insurance copy
- Pollution certificate (PUC)
- Owner’s ID proof and address proof
- Police verification report
- RTO inspection report
- Photographs of old and new chassis number
- Application form for re-stamping (RTO format)
After submission, the RTO will record the change and update your registration file with a remark like “Chassis re-stamped by RTO on (date)”. You’ll then be eligible to apply for fitness renewal or re-registration.
📅 Step 6: Renewing the RC After 15 Years
Once your chassis issue is resolved, the next step is renewing your RC since your Activa has crossed 15 years. For this, you need to submit the fitness application (Form 25) along with:
- Original RC Book
- Valid Insurance
- Pollution Certificate (PUC)
- Re-stamping inspection report
- Tax receipt (if applicable)
The RTO will issue a new Fitness Certificate (FC) and renewed RC card for 5 more years, provided the vehicle passes emission and roadworthiness checks.
🧠 Important Guidelines & Legal Tips
- Never try to restamp the chassis number by yourself. It’s a punishable offense under the Motor Vehicle Act.
- Keep a digital photo of your chassis and engine number before it fades — this helps in verification.
- If the number is totally missing, the RTO might refer your case to a Forensic Laboratory for microscopic tracing.
- Always get written permission before restamping. Unauthorized changes can lead to seizure of the vehicle.
- After re-stamping, check that the number is properly entered in the RTO record and visible on the frame.
📍 Real Case Example (MH02 RTO – Mumbai)
One of our readers from Mumbai owned a 2009 model Honda Activa. During the re-registration process, the chassis number was unreadable due to rust. The RTO officer asked for a police report and after verification, granted approval for re-stamping. The authorized workshop restamped the same number in presence of an MVI. The new RC was issued with the remark “Chassis re-stamped by RTO.” The entire process took around 12 to 15 working days.
💡 Useful Tips for Activa Owners
- Clean the chassis area during every major service to avoid rust buildup.
- Don’t repaint over the chassis number area.
- Apply a thin layer of transparent anti-rust coating for protection.
- Keep a photocopy or image of the RC showing the chassis number handy.
🔗 Related Posts You May Like
- How to Apply for a Learning Licence Online in India (2025)
- Vehicle Re-Registration Process After 15 Years in India
- How to Get NOC from RTO for Vehicle Transfer
🗂️ Documents Checklist Summary
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| RC Book | To verify vehicle ownership |
| Insurance | For validity during inspection |
| PUC | Pollution compliance |
| Police Verification Report | Proof of no tampering or theft |
| RTO Inspection Report | For re-stamping approval |
| ID & Address Proof | Owner identity confirmation |
✅ Final Thoughts
A damaged or faded chassis number may seem like a big problem, but it’s easily fixable if you follow the official RTO procedure. The key is to get proper inspection, police verification, and re-stamping done under RTO supervision. Once complete, your Activa will be ready for re-registration and continue running legally for another 5 years.
RTO India Help always recommends following legal and transparent methods for any vehicle verification or modification. Avoid shortcuts or unofficial agents for such sensitive work.
💬 Tip from RTO India Help: Always take a clear photo of your chassis and engine number before 10 years of vehicle age — it can save you from long verification delays later.
For more RTO updates, vehicle case studies, and online process guides, visit 👉 www.rtoindiahelp.com
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