V5 change of address problems on project car

Hpi_matrix

Could have just got one stamped up? AUSTIN MINI COOPER FARINA  MINI ID ALL-BLANK-VIN-CHASSIS-PLATES STAMPED FOR YOU   | eBay

Ronski

Yes the thought has crossed my mind, most places I found wanted a copy of the V5 which I have, but would presumably post to the address on the V5, which is probably doable, I may yet find the plates

Spoke to the DVLA last week, and they said they have a back log, they've now had my email and pictures for 6 weeks.

Ronski

Well it's taken the DVLA almost 8 weeks to reply to my email, and I'm fast coming to the conclusion they don't take note of what's been written, unless it causes more problems.

Their letter says they've found a discrepancy (I'm guessing it's because I'd written the new engines number and CC in the engine change section of the V5 back in the 90's) and again it asks for photo's of the VIN/chassis number, this is despite my last email explaining why I currently don't have them Guess I'm going to have to find them

They've now asked me to complete a 'Built up vehicle report' and include receipts for parts used, and how the old parts were disposed of etc.

Ronski

After doing a bit more reading last night it is now apparent that my Mini will require an IVA test, and once it passes it will be issued with a Q plate (presuming the goal posts don't move before it's finished), not a lot I can do about that unfortunately.

nvingo

I thought 'Q' registrations were no longer issued. I wonder how up-to-date is the information you've found.
As I understand your situation, the 'radical alterations' are, that the original chassis no longer carries its VIN plate, and the engine is an originally-available (equivalent) substitute of different capacity ?

Ronski

What I hadn't mentioned before is that the current* engine is a 1995cc Lancia (Fiat) Twin Cam and its mid mounted

Mini Clubman Mid engined Lancia Twin Cam 1995cc - 30 years in the making...... - 16v Mini Club Forums

Radically altered vehicle registration

The information about Q plates still seems to be current, the leaflet (INF26) I quoted the above text from appears to be from 2015, and its still on the government website.

* I have a Fiat Coupe 16v Turbo engine lined up to replace the NA 8v engine.

nvingo

How much altered is the front engine bay?
Any chance an(y old) A-series could be temporarily installed for the purpose of ID and VRM retrieval?

Ronski

It would be fairly easy to fit an A series back in the front, but is it worth taking the risk? Sooner or later I'd get caught out, there's still a lot of work to do, so I may as well build the car to pass an IVA, a lot of it is safety related so is a good thing.

Don't know how true it is or the circumstances behind it, but in one thread I read they said a mate had his modified car reported by a garage that refused to Mot it,  end result was the car was seized and crushed.

nvingo

My point was, once you've had the chassis/engine confirmed as being 'the Mini that matches your logbook', and original VRM reinstated, you can then go forth with the mid-mount Fiat conversion and it'll still be the same car for IVA.

Ronski

If I did that I would have to lie to the DVLA, but presuming they didn't insist on having the car inspected I would get the VRM back, if they inspect it I'm in the brown stuff.

Presumming I got away with the above (no inspection) and when finished I then present it for an IVA test with a mid mounted engine surely they will then remove the original VRM as it no longer achieves 8 points , so I may as well just follow the rules now.

If I didn't present it for an IVA and just ran it registered as an A series Mini sooner or later I'd get caught out, and it would be at the back of my mind in the meantime.