MadaboutKitcars

Registration Forms turned up yesterday. Most of it is pretty straight forward and I found some online advice for a slightly older version here:

http://forum.wscc.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic/78459-how-to-complete-dvla-form-v555/

The one question I'm unsure on is the Tax Class to use, The guidance with the form says PLG before 2001 or Petrol after 2001. I've entered the first reg date as the date on the IVA form but want to pay tax as for a pre-2001 car.

I'm tempted to leave this field blank and include a note in the covering letter. Can anyone who's recently registered a car tell me what they put in this field to successfully get an age related plate and pay the old tax bands?

Also, for the built up vehicle form I've claimed
Chassis - marlin VIN - New
Axles (both) - No ID - From E36 Donor
Transmission - No ID - From a different E46 Donor
Steering Assembly - No ID - From E36 Donor
Engine - Engine # - From E36 Donor
Suspension (front and back) - no ID - New

I bought my gearbox from Peter but the source is unknown. My spare (identical) gearbox is from a known E46 coupe so I'll reg it with that. I can't claim front and rear suspension from the donor but think I can on the axles if you assume the stub axles on the front. Steering is a bit iffy as the column is from the donor but the rack is not. Have others done similar or been more/less economical with the truth?

thanks
Ian

Personally, I wouldn't confuse the issue by saying your gearbox is from a different car. Your axles are definitely from your donor car and surely your rear suspension is as well?

If my donor was a manual I wouldn't think twice about mentioning the E46 box, but it was an auto (and says so on the V5C I also have to send them) so no avoiding it really.

The build up report no longer lets you claim provenience of axles and suspension separately for either end of the car. It's both or nothing. I've put a note in the general comments section stating that the rear suspension is from the BMW and the front provided with the kit but I don't know if that will count towards the points (can't hurt to mention it though).

cheers
Ian

Ian

Is the form still a V627/1 ?

I left the Tax classification blank and added a note asking for advice - they will return the form and you'll have to fill it in again after they have told you!
Mine cost £225 in Feb 2014.

My Cabrio was based on a Ford Sierra, so I had even less of the donor in my finished car than you, but still got an age related plate based on the parts I did have from the Sierra, which are much the same as your BMW donor.

Where they ask for Serial/ ID Number for the various parts I gave them my donor (Sierra) serial number, rather than say NO ID. Your parts are from your donor, and it's ID number is not wrong in those boxes. I did this for Axles, Steering Assembley, and Suspension, and gave the registration number of the donor.
Why do you say you can not claim the suspension is not from your donor? - The rear is straight from the donor. The front presumably used the front hubs, brakes, steering arm, so why not say you used the original BMW suspension - mine was accepted on the same basis as yours has been built.
I had to declare my engine and transmission was from a BMW as I had been able to get through the emissions on the basis of my engine being pre- August 1995.

Under any other information I stated I would like to apply for an age related plate on the basis that I had a new chassis and used more than two major components from my donor.
Remember, the guys processing your application know a lot less than you might think - they do not come across many kit cars, so do not know the rules well, or even at all.

I can email you a scan of my V627/1 if you would like it?

Mike

Hi Mike, yes it's still the V627/1. There was a separate column to fill in with the reg of the vehicle the various parts came from so I did that correctly but just not the serial number for each component with the exception of the engine number.

I guess the issue of what came from the donor is down to your definition of what is suspension and what is an axle. I'd classed the suspension as the springs, dampers, anti roll bars and arms but the axles as the hubs, drive shafts, stub axle etc. Basically everything else. The front of the sportster definitely doesn't use any arms, springs or dampers from the donor but does use the stub axle and the remains of a strut. I agree that the rear axle and suspension is all from the donor but the fact they want a yes/no answer to both axles rather than separately doesn't help in our case as it's a bit of pick and mix on the front. I'm sure that you previously could state the front and back separately. It's all left open to interpretation both with the person filling it out and the person assessing the application which is not very good really.

The application went in as is yesterday so we'll have to see how it goes. If they reject it because it's filled in wrong, I'll just have to correct and send back.

There is a statement with the V55/5 form saying that it's a very general form to cover all different types of registration application so you'd think, in that case, they'd have some flexibility on the info they're sent... but I won't hold my breath.

I'll argue for an age related plate but not at the expense of getting the car on the road. If you're building a replica I can see why a non Q plate would be desirable but in my case it's obviously a kit car so no point in getting embarrassed about the letters on the plate.

cheers
Ian

Good luck................and be prepared to wait!

Mine took weeks, and others have taken longer.....and when you chase it up, be prepared for them to say they have lost your application, or "It hasn't arrived on my desk yet....!"

It seems you are spot on Mike. Having left it two weeks and hearing nothing I thought I'd give DVLA a call. I was pleasantly surprised that the phone was answered within a few seconds (to the wrong person of course who then put me through to the "right" person). After going on hold a few times and filling in the blanks of my details I was told that no case had currently be raised against my details but that it normally takes 4-6 weeks for the kit conversion dept to process applications. I'm pretty sure that the "kit conversion" department is probably one person who only works Mondays and Wednesdays and is surrounded by a pile of unopened envelopes.

I explained that I didn't mind the time to process but was put out that I hadn't even received an acknowledgement to put my mind at rest that my driving licence and far more valuable IVA certificate had not been lost in the post. The fact that the very first question I was asked before my name etc. was whether I had proof of posting, did little to assuage my fears. Apparently there is no direct line to the right department and the contact centre are not able to chase applications, but they are the right people to call if I have any questions. They just won't be able to answer them.

I had a quick look at the DVLA complaints process to see if I could at least get confirmation of receipt that way but they promise a response within 2 weeks. May as well wait in that case.

Ian

This guy processed my application:

Keith Nicholas
Tel: 01792 786896

I suspect he only works part time.

You could try him..............?

Some good news.

I tried DVLA again yesterday and they confirmed a case had been opened for my reg application (so not lost in the post). I also was contacted by someone from the kit & rebuilt dept later to say that everything in my application was fine apart from the kit receipts not showing the VIN number for the chassis or confirming that the chassis was part of the kit (it just says module 1, 2 etc).

I thought I'd have to give Marlin a call and ask Terry to send a letter out but I found the delivery note/part sign off sheet from when I picked the chassis up and that did have a full list plus the VIN. Emailed that to DVLA and they said they'll accept on this occasion though normally they want the certificate of newness from the manufacturer (thought that was just if you were after a current plate).

So, one to prepare for if anyone else is getting to this stage soon, better to get the info off the kit manufacturer up front. It doesn't actually say you need this type of evidence on the application guidance which doesn't help, just 'receipts for major parts'.

They've also confirmed I'll get an age related plate and won't need to tow it to get inspected again , though I'll be suspicious about the latter until the V5 is in my hand.

V5c turned up today with my K reg number. That's 3 weeks to get to the right person and 1 week turn around from that point so it's not the K&R dept that drag their heels but someone in the DVLA post room.

Unfortunately, my local number plate making up place is closed for the night and there's an important Wales game tomorrow evening that will demand a trip to the pub so it will be the weekend now before I get chance to go out for a drive and scare myself silly

I'm going to have to find something new to do with myself now. A V8 conversion on my 325 touring has been lingering at the back of my mind for some time now. I've also been spending an unhealthy amount of time looking at Gardner Douglas T70 build websites. I suppose I should focus on clearing some kit car related debt first though.

Carefull now...................

I've been looking at the GD MK4 with a 430hp LS3 and Omex controller and with a T56 Magnum box for too long now. It's calling me and I'm the verge of giving in......................!!

Congratulations on getting it finally registered.