Q Registration History

[Rsdop]

Hi, hoping for some advice regarding a Q plate Caterham I'm currently looking at buying. I've no experience in this area and confused by a couple of things.

Firstly, I've ran an HPI check and it's clean except it states "VRM recorded as previously used or registered abroad before registration with DVLA" The car was built by Caterham as a race car in 1997 and registered in 1997. Any possible explanations for this?

Secondly even though DVLA reg check states first registered in 1997, when put in for an MOT history check it states first use 1971. Is this again linked to being a Q plate?

Would be grateful for any input with these issues!

[Chris-S]

Would it be possible to ask Caterham directly? They should be able to clarify.

Re the 'first use' date on the MOT, that might well be the default age for the emissions test level that is appplied to a Q plate. Anyone confirm that?

[t400ble]

No thats just a glitch in the system

[Frankthered]

My V5 states the date of first registration as 1 August 1987 but that's based on my donor and I used enough of it to keep an age related plate.

Does the date perhaps refer to the date of first use of the engine?

[Rsdop]

Thanks for the replies, well after doing a reg check on a few other Q registered Caterhams appears they all show as first use 1971 on the MOT check, even though they show the correct date on the vehicle detail check! Assume this must be for MOT testing purposes e.g. emissions etc.

Still not 100% on the VRM being used abroad before the first date of registration, spoke to the DVLA and they think it could be because the car was used prior to being registered? All very confusing!