I think that some of the motor traders and garages can still do an hpi check from a VIN number and that just might throw up the reg number 

I know it used to be the case but unsure now?

You can try pinging Gary Big GP  I know he's managed to find Reg from VIN for some people

thank you guys  i will go and get the vin number tomorrow

well the number plates were in the boot, but  when i try looking up tax or mot online it says vehicle not found so rather than open a can or worms im going to jump ship  and use this one instead, mk 1 vitara

and ive started a biuld thread

https://www.beachbuggy.info/index.php/topic,15016.0.html