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MG MGA - New chassis = DVLA hic-ups

Hi, I am new to the site so this is my first post. Sorry it's so long!
20 odd years ago we had our MGA restored by a friend from the number plate up. We also have a pictorial record of the work undertaken. This involved in part, a new/reclaimed chassis from the US. At the time there wasn't any hassle about reg numbers linked to chassis numbers and we have blindly gone through the next 20 years oblivious that the DVLA are now concerned about cloning ect.

The current V5 has only a number for the original chassis and I suspect the original letters have got discarded along the way as various formats evolved.

Realising this I wrote to the DVLA requesting they update the V5 with the new/reclamed chassis number. Big mistake apparently!

They have responded with a long list of questions and my pal (who I didn't consult before contacting the DVLA) and who's a whizz at motorcyling restorations, has warned me the DVLA may demand I scrap my original cherished numer plate (it spells a word) and allocate me a new age appropriate one to go with the 'new' chassis.

I understand the DVLA consider the chassis and the numberplate to be the 'identity' of the car.

I really do not want to loose my original number plate and any help/advice members can offer would be most appreciated.

Peter
p d williams

Hi
Have alook at October Octane Magazine, www.sebringsprite.com, and a midget & Sprite general thread 'MOT passed'.
Several people are now experiencing problems with DVLA. One of my Club members has had his car reclassified as a kit car.
Alan
www.masckent.org

Alan Anstead

Peter, When you say 'chassis' do you mean the frame or the body + frame as an entity? As you probably know the car number or VIN on an MGA is on an identification plate attached to the body (heater shelf) and it was also engraved on the frame in the drivers footwell but very often this engraved number is not readable because of rust.

When I restored my car I had a new frame because of dimensional issues with the original. On both frames the VIN numbers had rusted and were illegible.
If, like me, you have just had a new frame then don't worry about the VIN number as this will be on the identification plate as original and the V5 will basically be accurate.

If you've had a new frame and a new body and you have scrapped the old frame and body as opposed to selling them on with the VIN number then I would be inclined to use your original numbers on the new body + frame.

There is a unique number attached to the body but this is not mentioned on the V5 and anyway there is no precise link between body and VIN number.

The trouble you now have is that you have already alerted DVLA to the fact there are some changes.

I think I would be tempted to leave it a while and when you eventually apply for free tax if DVLA query the V5 say you've reverted the car to it's original state.

There is an interesting theoretical question about how much of a car has to be changed before the VIN number ceases to regarded as the true identifier. Presumably DVLA have their own rules.....................Mike
m.j. moore

This thread was discussed between 14/09/2015 and 15/09/2015

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