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Modifying a re-registered vehicle
Andre - 20/3/15 at 03:05 PM

Hi everyone, Just wondering if anybody on here could clear something up for me as I'm getting confused!

If you buy a kit car that has been built around a single donor and then gone through the correct registration process to retain the donor vehicle plates etc, has the V5 correctly stating the fact it's a kit etc, if you modify it substantially do you have to re-register again and lose the plates and get Q plates?

I'm looking at buying a buggy, but then losing the engine, gearbox, driveshafts, brakes, hubs etc etc and installing a completely different make and model setup in it's place. What would I have to do to be 'legal', or is this no problem? I would not have to alter the existing chassis at all, just bolt some adapters on in pre-existing places.

Any links etc that put it in black and white would be great too!

Many Thanks

theduck - 20/3/15 at 03:21 PM

Declare the modifications to your insurance company, just like you would on a modified tin top.

Ben_Copeland - 20/3/15 at 03:24 PM

Legally, if the chassis stays the same then it doesn't need an IVA.

Andre - 20/3/15 at 03:25 PM

awesome, thank you! how about registration for the plates, is that an issue? being it's no longer all from a single donor vehicle?

Ben_Copeland - 20/3/15 at 03:27 PM

The registration stays as its still the original chassis.

Tintops dont get re-registered when people fit bigger/different engines.

[Edited on 20/3/15 by Ben_Copeland]

ravingfool - 20/3/15 at 03:36 PM

But you do have to notify dvla of the engine change. They want engine size and number mostly so they can tax you the right amount.

adithorp - 20/3/15 at 03:50 PM

As long as you don't modify the chassis, then the registration isn't effected. The only thing you'll have to do is notify DVLA of the engine change (they may want proof in the form of a letter from a garage).

Re-IVAing (think thats a new word) would only occur is you change the chassis, though adding support brackets is permitted. However, as there's no actual record kept of the chassis design, so how they'd ever know is beyond me. You can even rebuild a damaged car with another "identical" chassis and swap the chassis number to that.

PS. It should have an age related reg (same year denominator as donor) rather than the donors actual reg. If not it was either not registered properly or some bod at DVLA screwed up (who'd have believed it).

Andre - 20/3/15 at 04:09 PM

cheers guys, mind firmly set at rest!

quote:
Originally posted by adithorp though adding support brackets is permitted.


This is interesting - I had been told NO modifications of the chassis were permitted without IVA. There would be a more straight forward way of fitting the change if I welded some brackets on to the existing chassis, but that would require small cuts to be made before the new brackets are welded on, guess they'd never be able to see past the welded on brackets so may have to consider that!

adithorp - 20/3/15 at 04:25 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Andre
guess they'd never be able to see past the welded on brackets so may have to consider that!


...and they have no record of chassis design when presented for it's original IVA.

I think allowing bracets bit, is intended to refer to support brackets (things like bodywork or engine mounts) rather than wishbone brackets. In reality it's all irrelevent if you're willing to claim "thats how it was".

Andre - 20/3/15 at 05:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by adithorp
In reality it's all irrelevent if you're willing to claim "thats how it was".


LOL I'd prefer to avoid being too efficient with the truth as I have the worst luck in the history of mankind, so I just know it'd end badly! Thanks for all the advice, very much appreciated.