DVLA Question

deni · #1 18th November 2016, 23:15

Hi,

I have posted this question on the Sammio forum as well to try and reach more people.

I have read the info regarding 're-body' regulations on this forum, which is very helpful. I know about the 8 point rule and the procedure the DVLA requires to retain your reg plates and historic vehicle status.

I have bought a donor and will hopefully start a build soon. My donor was not a complete car though, but only the rolling chassis with engine and without the bulkhead and the plates, so the car was already stripped of the body when I bought it. I have the original chassis/body VIN plate and all the paperwork is correct and present. I also have proof of purchase from the garage I bought the rolling chassis from, ebay screenshots and the receipt.
However, I do not have a photo of the complete vehicle showing reg plates before it was stripped, which seems to be something that the DVLA insists on.
I have also contacted the Previous Registered Keeper and asked if he had any photos but had no luck (he only bought the car to restore his much older car, used the body panels and sold me the rolling chassis, so he owned it only for a couple of weeks).

My question is, am I going to have trouble registering the kit car and keeping the original plates/historic status if I can't provide the photo of the complete vehicle?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Cheers,
Deni

lancelot link · #2 18th November 2016, 23:21

pm'd you Deni ...

deni · #3 19th November 2016, 11:16

Thank you.

lancelot link · #4 6th March 2017, 20:18

Did you get anywhere Deni ?

I am trying to sort out a S*mmio rebody for an old customer and we did all the requirements as they were laid out previously ...we have had a letter back saying they will alter the V5c when we MOT the vehicle ..so now its on hold until the vehicle is put through it's test ....not a problem , but just draws the process out for him a bit longer than previously .....

deni · #5 31st March 2017, 19:29

Hi Lancelot!

First of all, sorry for such a late reply - I was away for a while. Thank you for your message. Does this mean that we do not have to provide so much evidence as before because by now DVLA knows enough about this type of build?

Cheers,
Deni

P.S, I will post the reply to your message on S*mmio ;-) too.

MartinClan · #6 31st October 2019, 09:18

Hi-jacking this thread a bit but seemed like a good place to pose this question.

I am thinking about another build. The kit I have in mind is based on a Spitfire / GT6 chassis but with quite a few mods.
Lengthened.
Outriggers removed and new Outriggers and floor pan welded in.
Chassis forward of front anti roll bar removed.
The manufacturer says that all the builds so far have not needed an IVA. And I suppose that the basic structure of the chassis is unaltered. But I have my doubts if this falls within the rules or that they have just been getting away with it.
What does the forum think?

Cheers Robin

keith · #7 31st October 2019, 12:54

I think if you alter the chassis and do not fit back as original then you would need an IVA test but you might be able to get an age related plate but it might have to go on a Q plate.

Lucky@LeMans · #8 31st October 2019, 15:40

That is far more than a rebody including; modified, lengthened, cut out and removed etc etc.

You can add parts to a standard chassis but not remove anything, unless it un bolts, that is my understanding.

lancelot link · #9 31st October 2019, 20:45

The minute you change the wheelbase measurement its game over ...add to that new outriggers and floors welded in and its def a no go on the re-body scheme ....The suppliers of that kit have either been very lucky so far as few get inspected nowadays or they are being selective with the facts ...If they are a seasoned builder , they will know they are falling foul of the current regulations ...

redratbike · #10 31st October 2019, 21:17

I’m racking my brain to think what kit it is?

Mister Towed · #11 1st November 2019, 08:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by redratbike

I’m racking my brain to think what kit it is?

Good question, what kit is it?

As for the modifications, as LL says above, if you change the wheelbase by shortening or lengthening the chassis then it definitely needs an IVA, which at best leaves you with a number plate that's age-related to the youngest component used in the car (see link below), or more likely, the dreaded 'Q' plate.

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registrat...assic-vehicles

The outriggers and cutting away the chassis ahead of the front arb are a different matter. The rules allow for things like brackets and sub-frames to be added to the chassis - to be doubly sure of complying I'd make them bolt-on rather than welded on, while I believe that alterations to the chassis are only an issue within the wheelbase, not fore and aft of the axles. Just make sure you don't weaken the chassis when you cut away anything that runs across it. from either end.

MartinClan · #12 1st November 2019, 08:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by redratbike

I’m racking my brain to think what kit it is?

Corsa Spyder

Mister Towed · #13 1st November 2019, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinClan

Corsa Spyder

Hmm, didn't realise it needed the chassis lengthening.

redratbike · #14 1st November 2019, 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinClan

Corsa Spyder

Actually didn’t know they were still making it hence not making the connection .. originally from a guy in charlton then someone in Bromley near me
i still have an original brochure somewhere

Mister Towed · #15 2nd November 2019, 08:37

No mention of kit prices or availability, but their website is still up -

https://www.corsaspyder.com/

redratbike · #16 2nd November 2019, 09:50

Still in bromley

lancelot link · #17 2nd November 2019, 12:49

They are a good looking car ...

MartinClan · #18 2nd November 2019, 15:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mister Towed

No mention of kit prices or availability, but their website is still up -

https://www.corsaspyder.com/

You just need to request the price list from the guy. The kit contains most everything, bar the Spitfire, including all the metalwork to modify the chassis. And there is a lot of that. It's sub 3k which seems good value but I am still concerned the extent of modification to the chassis. Not that the DVLA would probably find out but they could always change the MOT rules to check for things like that.

Cheers Robin

lancelot link · #19 3rd November 2019, 08:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinClan

You just need to request the price list from the guy. The kit contains most everything, bar the Spitfire, including all the metalwork to modify the chassis. And there is a lot of that. It's sub 3k which seems good value but I am still concerned the extent of modification to the chassis. Not that the DVLA would probably find out but they could always change the MOT rules to check for things like that.

Cheers Robin

Its certainly priced to sell and is a nice concept ...I'd be wary of buying a donor that's been off the road too long as it can flag up an inspection , get your logbook in order at the very beginning if you are tweaking the chassis ...also be aware that MOT stations are legally required to report modified vehicles if presented to them ...a friend fly tester would side step that but also when you tax your car now you have to declare if its been modified . If you say no ..there could be future insurance implications etc. If you say yes , they'll ask for more info and probably inspect ....I've also had a situation in the past where DVLA scouts have reported suspicious vehicles seen at shows ....not scaremongering , and not trying to dampen your plans but just people need to be aware times change and the casual approach to modified vehicles era is changing with it ...

lancelot link · #20 3rd November 2019, 08:58

If its only a mild stretch , maybe a slight shortening of the body itself might be better. ..I accept it'll change the aesthetics slightly , but if shortened in the right areas , it might be a better way to build the car ?