Manual swaps and insurance
Discussion
I think the most sensible answer is "it depends". You're relying on the vague "transmission changes" modification declaration to be passed through to many different companies, who may interpret that in a different way. You'd need to be sure, so you'd need to read carefully the pre-purchase documentation for the one you choose, then if its not correct, contact that insurer and clarify, then possibly repeat for the next and so on.
If the car was offered with a manual box I would tell the insurer, but wouldn't expect it to make any difference.
But if there was no manual option, like for an E46 M3CSL, it's a modification so it might be better to look for an insurer that specialises in modified cars if your insurer isn't keen. You can only ask!
But if there was no manual option, like for an E46 M3CSL, it's a modification so it might be better to look for an insurer that specialises in modified cars if your insurer isn't keen. You can only ask!
I've heard of it being done in the past (with relatively uncomplicated stuff like a Mk1 Golf) but still, it necessitated a fairly severe butchering of a donor car - which might or might not have lived on, with the other's transmission. Of course, it would need the pedal box and the shifter swapping too. And these days, a good amount of rewiring.
aterribleusername said:
Notify the DVLA of the change of transmission type, get a new V5c issued with the correct one listed then phone your insurer would be my thoughts. Obviously don't use the car on the road in the interim in case it causes issues.
I've got both manual and automatic cars and nowhere on the V5 of any of them does it state what type of transmission is fitted so not sure what notification is required?Insurance of course would be different as, presumably by using the VIN no. it would show on some database as manual or auto, at least on a newish car.
Lord E38 said:
Were I to theoretically manual swap a car, would selecting 'transmission changes' on a comparison site be sufficient? Or should I be looking at specialist modified insurance?
For a new Insurance quote it may suffice doing just that but first step would be to speak to your existing insurer rather than just a search engine.It would be probably classed as a modification but not necessarily have an extra premium applied as a result especially if a manual box was originally available.
Consequences of not mentioning would be potentially far worse if you were to ever have a claim !
alscar said:
For a new Insurance quote it may suffice doing just that but first step would be to speak to your existing insurer rather than just a search engine.
It would be probably classed as a modification but not necessarily have an extra premium applied as a result especially if a manual box was originally available.
Consequences of not mentioning would be potentially far worse if you were to ever have a claim !
It is a modification; regardless that the car was available as manual originally. There will be some hefty modifications, welding, pedals etc that you need doing properly, so it does change the risk profile.It would be probably classed as a modification but not necessarily have an extra premium applied as a result especially if a manual box was originally available.
Consequences of not mentioning would be potentially far worse if you were to ever have a claim !
No way I’d just inform DVLA and then claim it was a regular manual. That’s asking, in the event of an accident, for policy cancellation.
vaud said:
It is a modification; regardless that the car was available as manual originally. There will be some hefty modifications, welding, pedals etc that you need doing properly, so it does change the risk profile.
No way I d just inform DVLA and then claim it was a regular manual. That s asking, in the event of an accident, for policy cancellation.
On most cars it should largely just be bolt-in component swapping, the bulkhead very likely already having the pass-through for the clutch pedal cable/hydraulics, just blanked off, for example.No way I d just inform DVLA and then claim it was a regular manual. That s asking, in the event of an accident, for policy cancellation.
It could well be a lot of components the more modern and complex a car you're dealing with, but fundamentally on a par if you had to replace those bits on an original manual car.
I'd be surprised if cutting/welding were needed.
InitialDave said:
vaud said:
It is a modification; regardless that the car was available as manual originally. There will be some hefty modifications, welding, pedals etc that you need doing properly, so it does change the risk profile.
No way I d just inform DVLA and then claim it was a regular manual. That s asking, in the event of an accident, for policy cancellation.
On most cars it should largely just be bolt-in component swapping, the bulkhead very likely already having the pass-through for the clutch pedal cable/hydraulics, just blanked off, for example.No way I d just inform DVLA and then claim it was a regular manual. That s asking, in the event of an accident, for policy cancellation.
It could well be a lot of components the more modern and complex a car you're dealing with, but fundamentally on a par if you had to replace those bits on an original manual car.
I'd be surprised if cutting/welding were needed.
catso said:
aterribleusername said:
Notify the DVLA of the change of transmission type, get a new V5c issued with the correct one listed then phone your insurer would be my thoughts. Obviously don't use the car on the road in the interim in case it causes issues.
I've got both manual and automatic cars and nowhere on the V5 of any of them does it state what type of transmission is fitted so not sure what notification is required?Insurance of course would be different as, presumably by using the VIN no. it would show on some database as manual or auto, at least on a newish car.
If the gearbox ever breaks its getting a manual swap. Its not hard to do.
More modern cars its the electronics that bugger things up. Some the engine ECU refuses to let the car rev over 3k rpm if it can't talk to the gearbox ecu
Edited by chris1roll on Friday 31st July 11:54
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