Q plate caterham - a bad thing??
Discussion
hey guys,
i'm looking for a caterham and have come across the exact model, colour and specced car i would like, howevr it has a Q plate. Is this a bad thing? What does it mean to re-sale value? Are there any drawbacks of having a Q plate car?
Any Info on this topic would be much appreciated.
i'm looking for a caterham and have come across the exact model, colour and specced car i would like, howevr it has a Q plate. Is this a bad thing? What does it mean to re-sale value? Are there any drawbacks of having a Q plate car?
Any Info on this topic would be much appreciated.
Q plate is a Kit Car - Caterham = Kit Car, there's no need to worry it's nothing bad at all, it just means it's using different parts.
Alot of Caterfields (Westfields, Caterhams, Strykers) are Q plates.
I wouldn't have thought it'd affect the re-sale value but I'm someone more knowledgeable than me will either comfirm or correct me on that.
Hope this helps
Graham
>> Edited by Graham.J on Tuesday 1st July 14:00
Alot of Caterfields (Westfields, Caterhams, Strykers) are Q plates.
I wouldn't have thought it'd affect the re-sale value but I'm someone more knowledgeable than me will either comfirm or correct me on that.
DVLA website said:
Kit Cars
Where all the parts of a vehicle are supplied new by the manufacturer. Subject to the provision of satisfactory receipts and a Certificate of Newness these vehicles will be registered under a current registration mark.
Kit cars which been built using not more than one reconditioned component will also be registered under a current mark. This is subject to the provision of satisfactory evidence that the component has been reconditioned to an "as new" standard. An SVA test will be required
Hope this helps
Graham
>> Edited by Graham.J on Tuesday 1st July 14:00
A Q plate vehicle will always be worth less than a same spec/condition car that has year of build reg (all new, or new with recon engine/receipts), or even an age-related one (from donor, where you could have a private plate up to the same year).
This of course is no problem if you pay the right money for the car in the first place (as with grey imports).
Also make sure that the V5 shows the correct model of vehicle, not the donor, and that you will never want a private reg.
Chris.
This of course is no problem if you pay the right money for the car in the first place (as with grey imports).
Also make sure that the V5 shows the correct model of vehicle, not the donor, and that you will never want a private reg.
Chris.
Makes no difference at all in the scheme of things. Unfortunately there seems to be a premium on them on Caterhams as their owners don't like to think that they own a kit car.
As it is it can make it easier to get through MOT emmission testing. "visible smoke test only, look *points to Q plate* kit car with an old engine" or "cat? no, no, I don't need one of them mister".
As it is it can make it easier to get through MOT emmission testing. "visible smoke test only, look *points to Q plate* kit car with an old engine" or "cat? no, no, I don't need one of them mister".
I would look at each car on its merits. A 'Q' plated car may have had donor parts sourced from different suppliers. This may point to the owner being fussy and wanted to get the best, or a specific spec.
It could also mean he couldn't be arsed and grabbed bits from the local wreckers yard.
If the car is what you want and you have that warm feeling then don't let a Q put you off.
Go for it .....
Paul
It could also mean he couldn't be arsed and grabbed bits from the local wreckers yard.
If the car is what you want and you have that warm feeling then don't let a Q put you off.
Go for it .....
Paul
The DVLA has recently released a selection of "personalised" Q plates. It's true you can never get rid of a "Q" once you've got one but at least now you can personalise them!
Also, re MOT emissions, there has been a recent change in policy whereby the VI (or VOSA as they now call themselves) will be checking kits registered after 1998 to whatever emissions they had to meet for their SVA tests. I think (although we don't quite know how the system will work yet) that "Q" plated cars will still (because they are of "uncertain" age) be able to get away with a "visible smoke" test. This should make them a bit more attractive if it happens!
Also, re MOT emissions, there has been a recent change in policy whereby the VI (or VOSA as they now call themselves) will be checking kits registered after 1998 to whatever emissions they had to meet for their SVA tests. I think (although we don't quite know how the system will work yet) that "Q" plated cars will still (because they are of "uncertain" age) be able to get away with a "visible smoke" test. This should make them a bit more attractive if it happens!
Until fairly recently (a couple of years?), Caterham's basic model had a live rear axle, this being sourced from the Morris Marina/Ital. When that car was discontinued, Caterham used reconditioned rear axles, hence the Q plate on those models. Other Caterhams have De Dion rear axles, available new.
The live axles are sometimes favoured for racing because they are lighter, but the De Dion gives a better ride for your spine on the road. So the chances are, if this car has a 1600 crossflow engine, that this is why it has a Q plate. Or it could have different bits from all over the place. So you need details, but as said above, nothing intrinsically wrong with a Q plate.
The live axles are sometimes favoured for racing because they are lighter, but the De Dion gives a better ride for your spine on the road. So the chances are, if this car has a 1600 crossflow engine, that this is why it has a Q plate. Or it could have different bits from all over the place. So you need details, but as said above, nothing intrinsically wrong with a Q plate.
Podie said:
Also seem to recall that stolen recovereds can be registered on a Q....
Actually this is not true. The original registration remains with the vehicle. If the identity is still intact the vehicle registration is still valid. If the vehicle is unidentifiable, there are normally two options. One is to write the vehicle off as a Cat B where it *has* to be broken by a recycler or it can be remanufactured where it will have to be reregistered. The rules about identifying components is the same for amateur buillt cars, in that the age and source of the major components must be identified, which you can't do hence the Q plate. Latest practice is the former option due to liability of ringing.
It is really personal preference if you don't mind a q plate, go for it. Use it as a bargaining point to get the price down. You should pay less ( a small amount) but be prepared to get less when you sell it on.
Built my live axle crossflow in 1990, registered it as a "J", using all (well nearly all) new parts. Age related plate always worth more than a mixed heritage "Q", even if you cannot see the reg from the driving seat. Sold the car last year to a "must have a new toy" bloke who has since sold it to a bloke in Newark(?). Wonder how it's doing now?
The Live Axle Sevens which attracted the Q plates were the Classics built between 1993 (ish) and 2001 (ish). The Morris Ital axles used on these cars were all reconditioned units and were usually used in conjunction with a reconditioned gearbox too. I own a 1996 Classic SE and it does have a Q plate. Does it bother me?. Not one bit.
Values for Sevens are much more to do with the condition the vehicle is in, not the plate ir carries. To be honest, no two Sevens are identical and even making a comment such as "given two identical cars, one with a Q plate and one with a normal plate" is totally meaningless.
Values for Sevens are much more to do with the condition the vehicle is in, not the plate ir carries. To be honest, no two Sevens are identical and even making a comment such as "given two identical cars, one with a Q plate and one with a normal plate" is totally meaningless.
Q = Car of uncertain age.
Take all (or enough) bits from one car and it ends up registered with a plate of that age.
Take all new parts = new car = new reg no.
Basic principle is very simple made a little complex by the various exceptions (ie one used but reconditioned part - in the case of new and the 'points' criteria in the case of old but certain) and the various changes in interpretation/implementation of the principles above.
HISTORY
Q was originally introduced to fight vehicle fraud. That's why they 'stay for life'. As ever, kit cars got caught in the cross fire - as with SVA which was to combat grey imports not to stop or improve what we do.
NOTE
If you know the rules it's virtually impossible to be 'saddled' with a Q on a newly registered kit car. This because the points system is now effectively scrapped.
Den
>> Edited by kitcarman on Friday 29th August 01:00
Take all (or enough) bits from one car and it ends up registered with a plate of that age.
Take all new parts = new car = new reg no.
Basic principle is very simple made a little complex by the various exceptions (ie one used but reconditioned part - in the case of new and the 'points' criteria in the case of old but certain) and the various changes in interpretation/implementation of the principles above.
HISTORY
Q was originally introduced to fight vehicle fraud. That's why they 'stay for life'. As ever, kit cars got caught in the cross fire - as with SVA which was to combat grey imports not to stop or improve what we do.
NOTE
If you know the rules it's virtually impossible to be 'saddled' with a Q on a newly registered kit car. This because the points system is now effectively scrapped.
Den
>> Edited by kitcarman on Friday 29th August 01:00
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