Motor identification-serial number not making sense to me

[blueskies401]

I am looking to buy a jon boat with 25 HP Mercury outboard, rope pull start. I live in Missouri and I have to title the motor and the owner is from another state where they didn't have to title motors. I have contacted our license bureau and I have those details worked out. My problem is the motor has Mercury emblem on it and a Mercury tag on the side with the following serial number:

OB004281

Unfortunately...there is nothing on the motor stating it's year or anything else..(nor a title stating the year) and I want to make sure I am getting what I am paying for. I sure don't want to pay for this and then find out I have an 86 or older motor....I went to the "maxrules" website, and I can't find this serial number sequence anywhere...and definitely not in the 1996 Mercury 25HP section.

Any ideas? Thanks.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Motor identification-serial number not making sense to me

The starting serial number in 1987 was OB114231, so you engine was before that, in 1986 the starting number was OA911346

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Motor identification-serial number not making sense to me

looks like an 86

 

[blueskies401]

Re: Motor identification-serial number not making sense to me

Thanks. Not exactly the answer I wanted to hear...but much better than finding this after I gave him the money.

With all that said...we had agreed on a price for his Jon boat, trailer, and 25 HP motor (supposedly 1996). How much should I ask him to come off on this 1986 motor?

Thanks in advance.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Motor identification-serial number not making sense to me

a good 86 is better than a bad 96. really all depends on the condition of the motor. 2-500