Locost on eBay - Registration nightmare?
Discussion
Hi all,
There is a Locost for sale on eBay at the moment (its yellow and silver if you do a search, only a few for sale) which I was initially interested in however the more I dig into it the worse things seem to get!
What I've discovered so-far:
Advertised as being MOT & Tax exempt due to its age (as far as i'm aware this isn't the case for kit-cars?)
Seller claims it is listed as an MG Midget on the V5 and as the car was 'built before SVA' that this is fine (i know it isn't)
DVLA Vehicle Enquiry has it listed as a 1972 MGB (not Midget), with a 1100cc engine and 'multi-coloured'
Digital MOT records only have a single entry for 2017 (the same year as the last owner change, and just before the MOT exemption rules came in)
As always with these things your mind starts to wander as you try and build a picture of what has happened. I'm thinking the following:
Seller buys unfinished/unregistered Locost with 1100cc A-Series
Seller also 'acquires' ID for a 1972 MGB to affix to vehicle (probably from a vehicle scrapped years ago based on the lack of MOT history)
Engine Size & Colour are updated with DVLA
MOT carried out in 2017 with the new ID
No future MOTs required as a 1972 MGB qualifies for MOT exemption (as well as Tax)
Anyway, i've decided its a no especially as the price keeps going up (if it stayed very cheap it might have been worth a punt). The vehicle would need an IVA test and most likely a Q plate as you couldn't even use the V5 as evidence for the engine/gearbox as there not from a Midget. Also just on quick inspection there's a whole list of changes that would be needed to pass the IVA and no doubt many more (steering wheel, heater, headrests, seatbelts, front wheels extend beyond arches, warning lights, side repeaters etc.)
It does surprise me how there are still cars registered like this out there, I found a similar Robin Hood the other day that was still down as a Cortina. Buyer beware as they say!
There is a Locost for sale on eBay at the moment (its yellow and silver if you do a search, only a few for sale) which I was initially interested in however the more I dig into it the worse things seem to get!
What I've discovered so-far:
Advertised as being MOT & Tax exempt due to its age (as far as i'm aware this isn't the case for kit-cars?)
Seller claims it is listed as an MG Midget on the V5 and as the car was 'built before SVA' that this is fine (i know it isn't)
DVLA Vehicle Enquiry has it listed as a 1972 MGB (not Midget), with a 1100cc engine and 'multi-coloured'
Digital MOT records only have a single entry for 2017 (the same year as the last owner change, and just before the MOT exemption rules came in)
As always with these things your mind starts to wander as you try and build a picture of what has happened. I'm thinking the following:
Seller buys unfinished/unregistered Locost with 1100cc A-Series
Seller also 'acquires' ID for a 1972 MGB to affix to vehicle (probably from a vehicle scrapped years ago based on the lack of MOT history)
Engine Size & Colour are updated with DVLA
MOT carried out in 2017 with the new ID
No future MOTs required as a 1972 MGB qualifies for MOT exemption (as well as Tax)
Anyway, i've decided its a no especially as the price keeps going up (if it stayed very cheap it might have been worth a punt). The vehicle would need an IVA test and most likely a Q plate as you couldn't even use the V5 as evidence for the engine/gearbox as there not from a Midget. Also just on quick inspection there's a whole list of changes that would be needed to pass the IVA and no doubt many more (steering wheel, heater, headrests, seatbelts, front wheels extend beyond arches, warning lights, side repeaters etc.)
It does surprise me how there are still cars registered like this out there, I found a similar Robin Hood the other day that was still down as a Cortina. Buyer beware as they say!
sleeky said:
........
It does surprise me how there are still cars registered like this out there, I found a similar Robin Hood the other day that was still down as a Cortina. Buyer beware as they say!
excatly the same question i would aks as well.It does surprise me how there are still cars registered like this out there, I found a similar Robin Hood the other day that was still down as a Cortina. Buyer beware as they say!
are the authorities blind? or the MOT Stations...how such cars get mot-ed?
A neighbour had a Westfield 11 which was still registered as a AH Sprite. He 'sold' it to someone who then (wisely I suspect) backed out of the deal. Another person eventually bought it. My neighbour said it was known to DVLA, who had (before SVA) checked the numbers, yet still retained the original registration plate and make/model, and that he had DVLA correspondence. I have no reason to disbelieve him as I haven't seen evidence either way except for the sprite badge on the front, which prompted me to ask. I wouldn't have bought it (but then I am very cautious).
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