Take a spurious Chassis number VF8J63805OR234255
Note that the above is incorrect. Renault VIN never have a letter 'O' in them so it is always a zero. (stops confusion)
V = Vehicle F = France 8 = Matra (Note the Murena starts VF8...)
J638 = Espace series 2 V6, not exactly sure about the 050R
The 05 means it has a 5 speed manual gearbox. 06 would be a six speed manual and 02 would be an automatic. I'm not sure the 0R means anything - this position used to include the year of build but they moved this information to the fabrication number. Some have speculated that the 'R' is Romorantin, but the place of build is in the fabrication number 'T'= Romorantin 'K'=Dieppe
but the 234255 is the actual number off the line.
For spares, the important numbers are also the fabrication numbers, which will be something like: Vehicle Fab. No. T012286
The T above would signify a Romorantin build.
Engine Fab. No. G012622 (for engine type Z7W 712 I believe)
Gearbox Fab. No. X012481 (for gearbox type UN1 021 I believe)
The letters denote the Renault factory where these items were built, and the numbers are the actual serial number.
Roy