Informing DVLA if engine and ecu are replaced?
Informing DVLA if engine and ecu are replaced?
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Discussion

ashkl

Original Poster:

47 posts

126 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2018
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My dads Vauxhall Zafira has been at the mechanics and had its engine, ecu and instrument cluster changed with the exact same spec as before, so no increase in hp or anything like that. He asked me if he had to inform the DVLA since its a different engine and the new instrument cluster says the car has done 220k miles when its actually done around 120k, will it be a weird discrepancy when the MOT is done later this year and seeing the car jump over 100k miles in year?

rewc

2,187 posts

263 months

Prof Prolapse

16,163 posts

220 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2018
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You inform DVLA because if it's a new engine the serial numbers have changed.

If it's the same engine you fitted, you just need to write to them informing of the change of number and supporting documentation is not required. They then send you a revised V5.

Someone at the DVLA can talk you through the process on the phone. It's painless.


98elise

32,625 posts

191 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2018
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ashkl said:
My dads Vauxhall Zafira has been at the mechanics and had its engine, ecu and instrument cluster changed with the exact same spec as before, so no increase in hp or anything like that. He asked me if he had to inform the DVLA since its a different engine and the new instrument cluster says the car has done 220k miles when its actually done around 120k, will it be a weird discrepancy when the MOT is done later this year and seeing the car jump over 100k miles in year?
Why not get the mileage corrected. Altering the odometer to match reality is perfectly ok. That said has the engine also done 220k (i.e. the parts came from a single donor car)?

The engine number should be changed on the V5 otherwise it might not look legit. Again this is fine because it's not unusual to replace an engine.

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

156 months

Wednesday 22nd August 2018
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Forget about the mileage. It's a sheddy, leggy Zafira. If/when he sells it, then explain to the buyer. They probably won't care.

All you need to do is fill in the new engine number on the V5C in the box provided, and send it back to Swansea.

vitesse2000

369 posts

193 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
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It would be a good idea to get the mileage corrected, as it may cause questions or cause the DVSA system to baulk at the next MOT because the mileage is less than before.

It even questioned my classic car as it went round the clock on a 5 digit speedo and had to have the extra 100k added to go forward because it thought the mileage had been clocked

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

285 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
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vitesse2000 said:
It would be a good idea to get the mileage corrected, as it may cause questions or cause the DVSA system to baulk at the next MOT because the mileage is less than before.

It even questioned my classic car as it went round the clock on a 5 digit speedo and had to have the extra 100k added to go forward because it thought the mileage had been clocked
1) It will make absolutely no difference to the mot.
2) His car will now have a higher recorded mileage, not lower.

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

156 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
quotequote all
vitesse2000 said:
It would be a good idea to get the mileage corrected, as it may cause questions or cause the DVSA system to baulk at the next MOT because the mileage is less than before.

It even questioned my classic car as it went round the clock on a 5 digit speedo and had to have the extra 100k added to go forward because it thought the mileage had been clocked
My ol' 900 went through three MOTs with the exact same mileage, then lost 60k before the next one. No eyebrows raised.

When a mileage is entered that's unusually high compared to previous, or has gone down, then the tester just gets an "Are you sure?" box to click. No more than that.

vitesse2000

369 posts

193 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
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Apologies - misread it as half asleep - thought mileage was reduced

ashkl

Original Poster:

47 posts

126 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
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My dad plans on keeping the car until it dies, probably only worth a couple hundred quid. To be honest he's only planning on keeping it until next year and then get it scraped. Should I still inform the dvla about the engine change? No one wants a zarira with 220k on the clock which also has dents on every side panel.

TooMany2cvs

29,008 posts

156 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
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ashkl said:
Should I still inform the dvla about the engine change?
It takes two minutes and a second-class stamp. Why would you not?

creampuff

6,511 posts

173 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
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TooMany2cvs said:
ashkl said:
Should I still inform the dvla about the engine change?
It takes two minutes and a second-class stamp. Why would you not?
Change in value of a beat up Zafira is less than 56p?

Mr2Mike

20,143 posts

285 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
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ashkl said:
Should I still inform the dvla about the engine change? No one wants a zarira with 220k on the clock which also has dents on every side panel.
Technically you should do this. In practice very few people ever bother.

catso

16,457 posts

297 months

Thursday 23rd August 2018
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vitesse2000 said:
It would be a good idea to get the mileage corrected, as it may cause questions or cause the DVSA system to baulk at the next MOT because the mileage is less than before.
I've had several motorbikes where, for various reasons the speedos were changed, causing the mileage to drastically drop/disappear at MOT time compared to the previous year, DVLA or whoever never questioned anything.

You should inform of a change of engine though.