Every Japanese Pajero will have either 10 OR 12 digits in the chassis (VIN) number.
A Mk1 (84-90/91) model will have a 12 digit number. A Mk2, or higher, (90/91 >) model will have a 12 digit number.
Typically, a Mk1 chassis number should read L049G0000000 and a Mk2 > chassis number should read V240000000.
There are many Pajero variants in the UK now, most of which are listed below:
L044 4D56T 2477 DT-OHC 2.5TD SWB 04/86-04/91
L049 4D56T 2477 DT-OHC 2.5TD LWB 04/86-04/91 (SOME ARE INTERCOOLED)
L141 6G72 2972 P-OHC 3.0i Petrol V6 SWB 09/88-04/91
L144 4D56T 2477 DT-OHC 2.5TDI SWB 09/88-04/91
L146 6G72 2972 P-OHC 3.0i Petrol V6 LWB 09/88-04/91
L149 4D56T 2477 DT-OHC 2.5TDI LWB 09/88-04/91
V21 4G64 2351 P-16V DOHC 2.4i Petrol GDi 05/96-09/99
V23 6G72 2972 P-OHC 3.0i Petrol V6 3.0P SWB 01/91-09/99
V24 4D56T 2477 DT-OHC 2.5TDI SWB 01/91-05/97
V25 6G74 3497 P-24V DOHC 3.5P SWB 07/93-04/97
V26 4M40 2837 DT-OHC 2.8TDI SWB 07/93 on
V34 4D56T 2477 DT-OHC 2.5TDI 01/91-07/93
V43 6G72 2972 P-OHC 3.0i Petrol V6 3.0P LWB 01/91-08/95
V44 4D56T 2477 DT-OHC 2.5TDI LWB 01/91-07/93
V45 6G74 3497 P-24V DOHC 3.5P LWB 07/93-04/97
V46 4M40 2837 DT-OHC 2.8TDI LWB 08/95-05/96
V47 4D56T 2477 DT-OHC 2.5TDI 08/95-05/96
V55 E-V55W 3.5P SWB (PAJERO EVOLUTION) 97 on
V65 6G74 3496 P-24V 3.5 DOHC 06/99 on
V68 4M41 3200 DT-16V DOHC 3.2DID SWB 06/99 on
V75 6G74 3496 P-24V DOHC 3.5 06/99 on
V78 4M41 3200 DT-16V DOHC 3.2DID LWB 06/99 on
Also, there are others codes called the 'CK' codes, which are detailed here below:
NH (91-93)
V12W
V32W NSR8
V34W NSTR8
V43W NHER8
V43W GNXER8
V44W NHFR8
2.5LTR TURBO DSL
2.6LTR PETROL(GL MODEL)
2.5LTR IC TD
3LTR PETROL(GLX)
NJ (93-95)
V23W
V33W
V45W NHMR8
V46W NHVR8
2.8LTR TD
3LTR PETROL(GL)
2.8LTR IC TD
3LTR V6(GLX)
NL (97-00)
V45W GNPVR8 - 3.5LTR V6 PETROL
V46W 2.8LTR IC TD
NM (00-02)
V75W
V76W
V78W
NP (03-06)
V75W 3.5LTR V6
V77W 3.8LTR V6
V78W 3.2 LTR DID
And if all that wasnt enough, here is some more info to help you understand it all:
