Car colour

[mr rusty]

Here's an interesting one. My new car was registered with the wrong colour (V5 says red, it's green). I duly informed the DVLA by submitting the change. DVLA wrote back and said "we can't change the colour unless the manufacturers (not the selling dealer) tell us". My insurance company have been informed, and have the car insured as it's correct colour and are aware of the V5 discrepancy. No problem.

I phoned DVLA, and said "OK, I've told you ( and submiited photos of the VIn on a green background, pix of car etc) the colour is wrong. You don't want to change it. Have I fulfilled my legal obligations in informing you? because I don't really care too much as long as the insurance company are cool" DVLA man didn't know.

The selling dealer has instigated a query with the manufacturers, but that could take weeks/months to resolve. My understanding is I have an obligation to inform DVLA which I have done.

The car is on PCP through the manufacturers finance co.

I've done my bit. Anything else I should be worried about?

Edited by mr rusty on Wednesday 25th February 19:33

[Opapayer]

I’ve never been asked what colour my car is when getting a quote for insurance . Just double checked on meerkats and there’s no question beyond the registration number, which gives a load of details about the car, but doesn’t mention the colour.

[whimsical ninja]

Sounds like you've probably done all you can? If you did ever get pulled over by the police for some reason you might find yourself getting grilled for a while as they might suspect the car to be stolen, although if you're not the sort of person who regularly gets pulled over then the risk of this happening would appear to be slim

[healeyneil]

I’ve informed DVLA of colour changes with no problem. Last one less than a year ago

[chris1roll]

About 25 years ago my mate bought a black citroen BX. It was down as red on the V5.
There was a whole host of correspondence in the history file between previous owners and the DVLA telling them the car was and always had been black. The DVLA point blank refused to correct it.

He got pulled over once because of it.

My parents had an E-class estate, that was down as a saloon on the V5.
That never caused an issue.

[sixor8]

I hadn't realised it would be that difficult. Just fill the amendment section on the V5 with a change of colour and send it off maybe? If a car is resprayed a different colour, it can be amended, it doesn't need any input from the manufacturer!

i had a Triumph Toledo 2021-2024 that had had been done by the previous owner. From brown to green.

[snuffy]

If you have your car wrapped, for example, assuming it's a different colour, then you have to inform the DVLA. I've done that with my car, by just filling in the bit of the V5 that records the colour and posting it off. Then they sent me a new V5 and that was it; i.e. you tell them and they believe you.

[kestral]

Is this a joke?

What happens if you like many people do, spray or wrap your car.

The DVLA have to hold accurate information.

If this is true the OP needs to write to his MP!

[mr rusty]

kestral said:

If this is true the OP needs to write to his MP!

It might come to that just to cover my back. The point is to other posters I have done the fill in the V5 and send it off thing, and they won't change it!

[davek_964]

kestral said:

The DVLA have to hold accurate information.

They frequently don't.

Many 12Cs have their model down as F1. Many 650s have the model down as either 12C or F1. I'm not aware of any owner who's ever bothered trying to get that fixed.

[E-bmw]

Opapayer said:

I ve never been asked what colour my car is when getting a quote for insurance . Just double checked on meerkats and there s no question beyond the registration number, which gives a load of details about the car, but doesn t mention the colour.

No and neither has anybody else but if you quote your reg to anyone using DVLA database and ask them what it says, they will be able to tell you the colour.

If you go online now & do a vehicle details check it will tell you the colour.

[Mr Sparkle]

So if you get caught speeding yoi have a solid defence - couldn’t have been me my car is a different colour

[2020vision]

Mr Sparkle said:

So if you get caught speeding yoi have a solid defence - couldn t have been me my car is a different colour

It’s a good wheeze to get your car recovered for evidence.

[Drawweight]

Highly unlikely for your car to get noticed if you’re driving correctly but if a police car checks your details they are going to indicate a different colour.

It might mean you get stopped and have to explain.

[Mabbs9]

I did the usual searches before I bought my grey car last year. History said it was red. Spoke to the dealer and they groaned. They had supplied it new and battled with the dvla to correct it. Somehow a system somewhere had reset it to red. Idiots.

[InitialDave]

Mr Sparkle said:

So if you get caught speeding yoi have a solid defence - couldn t have been me my car is a different colour

Also, red wunz go fasta?

[alscar]

My GT3 bought from new back in 2009 was specced in( PTS ) Riviera Blue but the V5 referred to it as multicolour !

[catso]

healeyneil said:

I ve informed DVLA of colour changes with no problem. Last one less than a year ago

Section 1 of the V5 - "Changing my vehicle details" has boxes you fill in for various changes, including colour. Simply fill in and send off, a new V5 comes back with updated information.

I've done it twice for a change of engine, the first I needed evidence, a receipt for the engine from a breaker was sufficient, the second no evidence required as it was a 'historic' vehicle. I don't know if they need proof for a colour change though?

I suppose the only downside of this maybe, that it will show in it's history as being changed rather than corrected if this matters.

As an aside my Landrover had been changed from green to black (rattle-canned by the looks of it) by a PO but, as it was covered in mould etc. after years of 'field storage' I gave it a good jet wash and most of the black came off with the dirt, so it's currently (mostly) green again, though I'm probably going to paint it black anyway.

Edited by catso on Thursday 26th February 11:23