VW Based kit, No V5, Problem?

[Simonelite501]

Would the lack of a V5 prove to be a problem for a kit car based on an early 70's beetle? The number plate is attached to the car. Thanks, Simon.

[Tony427]

I take it that you are looking to buy the car.

Get the present owner to apply for a replacement V5, this may cost them a small charge. When it arrives check that the car is as described on the V5, if the car description still says Beetle when its quite obviously something different, like a sand rail, the car will need SVA'ing. This is a big problem if the car hasnt been built with the SVA in mind.

Run away from the car now.

If however the chassis has not been messed with, eg shortened, and is as it came out of the VW factory you probably wont need to SVA the thing , simply just change its description which may require a quick look by an official at the car at your local DVLA centre.

Either way do not buy a car without a V5, or with a V5 that doesn't completely match and accurately describes the car sitting on the road in front of you.

Cheers,

Tony

[avocet]

...better still, get the bloke who is selling it to get the description amended on the V5. If Swansea have a record of it having been inspected at the time it was turned into a kit, there shouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, a fair few people "never quite got round" to telling Swansea their car wasn't really a "Beetle" any more! If there is no record of it having been inspected, there is, as has been said, a pretty good chnace it will need an SVA AND end up on a "Q" plate.

[Simonelite501]

Thanks for the help guys, the car is on Ebay and I walked away when the money got too much. From the sound of it, it was a wise move.

[grahambell]

I assume it was that red Nova that the owner seemed to think was American.

Mind you there's somebody on there trying to sell an Eagle they think is a Lamborghini replica...

Sounds like getting that Nova back on the road could be a lot of hassle, so if you couldn't get it cheaply you probably did the right thing.

[Simonelite501]

No it wasn't the Nova, it was an Avante, similar to the Nova but has proper doors. The Nova your talking about, is actually american as it's a Sterling and not a Nova. Sterling was the name used for the Nova in the states.

>> Edited by Simonelite501 on Saturday 26th March 19:20

[cinqster]

Even with a shortened Beetle chassis, the car should still be classed as a rebodied vehicle - hence no need to SVA. Unless the laws have changed in the last couple of years?

[avocet]

Yes, the DVLA changed their "rules" a year or so ago. They now require the "original, UNMODIFIED chassis or monocoque bodyshell" to escape SVA. That said, I imagine very few DVLA Local Office inspectors would know a shortened Beetle floorpan if they were run over by one! I'm sure lots of Chesils and Beach buggies etc get away with this. I stretched a Triumph Herald chassis by 5" some years ago (before this ruling) and it went completely unnoticed.

Incidentally, does any one know if these are actually "LAWS"? I have never found any such "law". I think they are just arbitrary rules made up by the DVLA that nobody has ever tried to challenge. Unfortunately, the only "laws" as such that I have come across would make things even worse (SVA as a minimum) so I guess we ought to be thankfull for small mercies!

[cinqster]

[quote=avocet] That said, I imagine very few DVLA Local Office inspectors would know a shortened Beetle floorpan if they were run over by one! /quote]

I had to read out the chassis and engine numbers for my local DVLA inspector because his eyesight was so poor!

>> Edited by cinqster on Thursday 31st March 00:14

>> Edited by cinqster on Thursday 31st March 00:15