DVLA and Change of Body Style

[Duncan Grimmond]

Head and parapet spring to mind as I agree with Steve...

[JonE]

You could go the way that Ruairidh/Peter have gone and make a sports closed body... see thread elsewhere on the Coupe.

Note some of the sleazier online news sites are also suggesting DVLA presently have a backlog of 1.4 million letters. I guess we just don't know how many people are opening them.

[Robert Leigh]

Even if they open letters they do not neccessarily read them. When we moved here I sent four V5s to record the address change, and included a letter saying that I wanted the old V5s back to maintain continuous historical record on the cars. Despite this they shredded the old documents, although it is on the website that they will return them if requsted.

[Jamie]

JonE,

I confess that a sports coupe body was my original idea: I very much like the Lombard AL3 Coupe, and I am slowly coming back around to this idea. It would need a deal of rescaling to suit a Ruby chassis, though. However, it means that I do not have to bother DVLA and still retain a logbook which is correct.

Regards,

Jamie.

[Stuart Giles]

Local registration offices have all closed down now AFAIK.

This is what the DVLA say should happen as regards a rebody, called a kit conversion in DVLA speak...

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/...d-vehicles

Why not use the Reconstructed Classic regs?

https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/...c-vehicles

The "Reconstructed Classic" route Does rely on a club V765 rep being happy to sign the car off as "a true representative of the marque" The original registration number would also be lost and replaced with an age related plate which does seem to bother a lot of people. I have one car with such a plate, but it's never been visible from the driving seat.

Your V5C describes your open car as a saloon. Does this bother you or the car?
Let sleeping dogs (or Steve's lion) lie.
Go and fettle or drive it instead!

David

If the body type  discrepancy is discovered by officialdom the registration usually gets cancelled, this has happened to a number of kit car owners where the V5C still has the donor's body type, so isn't a theoretical risk even if it happening is a long way from a racing certainty.

[Reckless Rat]

As comedian Jim Bowen used to say: " Tell 'em nowt, make 'em buy a programme" .
Cans of worms are best left alone.

[andrew34ruby]

In case you have to deal with DVLA ion the future, keep all receipts. They suspect you are assembling a vehicle from stolen components, or off stolen cars. Keep receipts for everything you buy, just in case.

[Jamie]

That is sound advice about receipts. I have a receipt for the original car and one for the engine and gearbox. I took plenty of photographs as well and have receipts for most components.

[Hedd_Jones]

I've had a number of friends do this recently.

Some have had no problems, some have had to provide additional info rather than just the completed form on the V5.

They've all managed to do it.

Some advice:-

1. Section 1 of your V5C states you MUST notify changes. You fill in this section and send off to the address noted. Personally as users of Historic Vehicles I believe we should follow all current rules so as not to put the use of historical vehicles in the UK at risk. We have far more freedoms than our European brethren. Long may this continue.
2. Take Photos of the 'car' displaying the registration number in its form as per the DVLA V5C you are attempting to change. Even if its a rusty wreck. Keep them safe. The DVLA may request them. The bit about displaying the registration number is key (it may well sound stupid - but that's how it is, they believe as it is theoretically impossible to buy number plates without entitlement, having them gives some {but not full} assurance of validity).
3. Make sure the car is 'substantially complete' in its new form, and as above displaying its registration number. Before applying for the body change. DVLA often want photos and can insist on inspection. They are not going to change the details if the car exists only as a kit of parts. Nor should they. Keep the car in one piece while this application is processed.
4. Get receipts for the 'car' as was. Get a receipt for the new 'body'. Even if you built it. Handwritten receipts are 100% acceptable. Hell, get a receipt from the scrap man for the old body if you can.
5. Get your ducks lined up 1, is the Vin number noted in the V5C actually applicable to the car? That is check. Austins are quite often registered under their Chassis number, but also quite often the Car Number (I think we would all agree that either is fine, given Austins only quoted the Car Number). If you or a previous owner has junked the body (which carries the Car Number Plate), you might find the number stamped in the chassis bears no relation to that on the V5C (you might find this in anycase). At this point to the DVLA in effect you neither have a V5C for your chassis, nor do you have entitlement to the number on the V5C - because there is no matching car for the VIN. So the V5C gets cancelled, and your going to have to go Age related for the chassis. Big avoidable disaster.
6. Ducks lines up 2. If the engine number doesn't match, sort this first, ideally with the car still in one piece in its original form. Send the same section of the form (Section 1) with a covering letter stating the engine is identical to that already fitted, provide a receipt for the purchase of the engine. Theoretically you don't need to send the receipt as the FBHVC sorted this years ago, but the odd application gets stopped still. So why not just send one in?. Keep the car in its original form while this is processed if you can.
7. Don't expect to be able to register the rolling chassis you've got or bought as a 'Tourer' or 'Sports', if it has Saloon on the V5C. I believe the rules should allow you to do it, but your going to be missing a good bit of the info the DVLA often ask for. This might not be how it used to be, nor should it be how it is, but nevertheless this is certainly how the DVLA currently play it. You might get it through no problem. Just don't expect a positive result.
8. My experience is once DVLA have made a decision, the only recourse you have is via the FBHVC or your MP. They rarely speak directly to the Authorized Clubs, who actually have no need to get involved in this process. I don't doubt that the FBHVC would get a Authorized Club involved however for specialist advice. After all, they need to check what your telling them is correct (or not).
9. I too have heard anecdotal evidence of V5c's being withdrawn when the DVLA find inconsistencies. The Hot Rodders usually bear the brunt of it (wonder why!). This doesn't mean that the Historic Vehicle movement is immune - Ask anyone with involvement with Bugatti's.

[Ivor Hawkins]

Very good advice Hedd, having been there several times myself.

I think I would build a coupe!