Can I make my bike older?

[londonbabe]

I have a scooter that was imported and given an abitrary reg date ('declared first used' I believe) of 1984. (The thing was picked up from a scrapyard in Italy, and at some point in its life the frame number had been mucked about with.)

I found that one feature of my frame is only found on earlier bikes, and wondered if I can get it re-registered with a 70s plate on the strength of that one feature, or whether I shouldn't poke the Swansea bear and risk them asking awkward questions about the serial no. What do you think?

[londonbabe]

TooMany2cvs said:

Historic Vehicle, more like - especially since the London ULEZ has just been confirmed, with all "historic" being exempt. IF it's kept as rolling-40, then this scooter won't be historic until 1984, but if the "real" age is prior to 1980, the ULEZ won't be an issue... If it's pre-75, then it's tax free now, and there's no risk of the rolling age cutoff being fixed (again).

Got it in one. I think it's pre-78, and I as thinking maybe I could avoid the ULEZ charge.

In only discovered the vin had been 'adjusted' last year, when it was stripped and restored. I've owned it for over 10 years.
Back then a lot of UK companies scoured and picked bare the scrapyards of Italy for rust-free vintage scooters which were nigh-on impossible to re-register in Italy but really easy to register here. Mine is one such example. It's possible that it could have been scrapped by an insurance company, or the Italian police, I suppose.
I certainly don't want a Q plate.

[londonbabe]

Because I will still own the Vespa in 5 years, and will still want to ride it into central London.

[londonbabe]

Sentimental value is everything :-)

I think I will let the sleeping dog lie.

[londonbabe]

Actually, no. It doesn't. I suspect this sort of thing went on a lot in the early 2000's scooter boom. 'Reputable' dealer just made it all up.