Two cars modified to create one, which registration?

Two cars modified to create one, which registration?

Author
Discussion

D_G

1,834 posts

211 months

Tuesday 21st January 2014
quotequote all

Basically, regardless of the builder's 'expert knowledge' with the MOT scheme, this car is not road legal on the original plate. I have dealt with SVA / IVA for years and this car is in the same boat as the kit cars registered as Escorts etc. Won't be a problem until someone (VOSA) looks at it and then removes it from the road, unlikely I grant you.
£250k? Not a chance.

DonnyMac

Original Poster:

3,634 posts

205 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
It's potentially a 230mph+ machine that has been (however skilfully) welded together by an MOT tester and he reckons it's fine because he's done it before and the cars were registered before he started.

Fingers crossed for the owner when he drives that to the POD and puts his foot down in a 1000bhp+ cut and shut yikes

Kitchski

6,516 posts

233 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
It should be IVA'd and will end up on a Q-plate. That's literally all there is to it.

Been easy to get round IVA/SVA for the last few years, but they're tightening the nuts pretty quickly now, and penalties won't be light as most cases will be classed as fraud!

B'stard Child

28,501 posts

248 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
V8RX7 said:
In the real world - do whatever you want.

No one cares.

No one checks in most cases and if they do they generally haven't got a clue what they're looking at.

Insurance - as long as the numbers match - call it whatever the hell you want.

I've 30+ yrs playing with modified cars.
That's the stick your fingers in your ears and sing la la la la approach

It works fine until you take it for an MOT and something doesn't add up and then VOSA gets involved

Saloons estates converted to pick ups never built by the manufacture

RWD drivetrains on cars born as FWD

A Renault Espace bodyshape (I didn't say shell) on a Lexus V8 RWD running gear

If it's a monocoque car modifications to the shell 4 linking live axles, replacing transmission tunnel for bigger gearbox or engine box upgrade are Q plate territory - I'm not saying it should be but there doesn't seem to be any grey in legislation



DonnyMac

Original Poster:

3,634 posts

205 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
If you're skilled enough to create a 1000bhp show car, it should have no problem passing an independent inspection, in fact it should be welcomed and invited.

Your own track day invention? Take your chances. Actively sold at an international car event to private buyers? It must be legal.


B'stard Child

28,501 posts

248 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
DonnyMac said:
If you're skilled enough to create a 1000bhp show car, it should have no problem passing an independent inspection, in fact it should be welcomed and invited.
Then it should be submitted for IVA BVA or whatever

DonnyMac said:
Your own track day invention? Take your chances.


As long as not used on road not an issue not a car anymore therefore out of scope

I cut a fair bit of steel out of a body shell to reduce weight aside from other modifications but I knew when I did it that it was a one way trip



Sure I could have covered up the removal with some ally sheeting panels but I'd rather not put my MOT tester in a difficult position so made the decision to make it track only and effectively scrapped the original car ID (mainly so I didn't have crappy SORN reminders to deal with as well)

DonnyMac said:
Actively sold at an international car event to private buyers? It must be legal.
That doesn't mean it's legal...........

DonnyMac

Original Poster:

3,634 posts

205 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
B'stard Child said:
DonnyMac said:
Actively sold at an international car event to private buyers? It must be legal.
That doesn't mean it's legal...........
That's what this thread is about.

The car is not road legal.

ETA: that Opel looks amazing!

B'stard Child

28,501 posts

248 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
DonnyMac said:
B'stard Child said:
DonnyMac said:
Actively sold at an international car event to private buyers? It must be legal.
That doesn't mean it's legal...........
That's what this thread is about.

The car is not road legal.
Sorry It appears we were disagreeing I wasn't but the way you wrote it wasn't clear

DonnyMac said:
ETA: that Opel looks amazing!
It did once - then I ran out of talent - it looked rough in that picture and it's dead now....

I've never understood the stigma of a Q plate - it's what the car in question should be wearing (after inspection pass)

V8RX7

26,973 posts

265 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
B'stard Child said:
V8RX7 said:
In the real world - do whatever you want.

No one cares.

No one checks in most cases and if they do they generally haven't got a clue what they're looking at.

Insurance - as long as the numbers match - call it whatever the hell you want.

I've 30+ yrs playing with modified cars.
That's the stick your fingers in your ears and sing la la la la approach

It works fine until you take it for an MOT and something doesn't add up and then VOSA gets involved

Saloons estates converted to pick ups never built by the manufacture

RWD drivetrains on cars born as FWD

A Renault Espace bodyshape (I didn't say shell) on a Lexus V8 RWD running gear

If it's a monocoque car modifications to the shell 4 linking live axles, replacing transmission tunnel for bigger gearbox or engine box upgrade are Q plate territory - I'm not saying it should be but there doesn't seem to be any grey in legislation
No it's what actually happens in the real world.

I have never come across a VOSA check nor know anyone who has EXCEPT for commercial vehicles.

No one cares as it's a victimless non issue.

EDLT

15,421 posts

208 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
B'stard Child said:
I've never understood the stigma of a Q plate - it's what the car in question should be wearing (after inspection pass)
I don't think you can put your ultra exclusive GAZZA 1 plate on a q-plate car. Its got to stay on its Q-plate.

B'stard Child

28,501 posts

248 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
EDLT said:
B'stard Child said:
I've never understood the stigma of a Q plate - it's what the car in question should be wearing (after inspection pass)
I don't think you can put your ultra exclusive GAZZA 1 plate on a q-plate car. Its got to stay on its Q-plate.
You are correct - if that's an issue don't buy a Q Plate car

B'stard Child

28,501 posts

248 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
V8RX7 said:
B'stard Child said:
V8RX7 said:
In the real world - do whatever you want.

No one cares.

No one checks in most cases and if they do they generally haven't got a clue what they're looking at.

Insurance - as long as the numbers match - call it whatever the hell you want.

I've 30+ yrs playing with modified cars.
That's the stick your fingers in your ears and sing la la la la approach

It works fine until you take it for an MOT and something doesn't add up and then VOSA gets involved

Saloons estates converted to pick ups never built by the manufacture

RWD drivetrains on cars born as FWD

A Renault Espace bodyshape (I didn't say shell) on a Lexus V8 RWD running gear

If it's a monocoque car modifications to the shell 4 linking live axles, replacing transmission tunnel for bigger gearbox or engine box upgrade are Q plate territory - I'm not saying it should be but there doesn't seem to be any grey in legislation
No it's what actually happens in the real world.

I have never come across a VOSA check nor know anyone who has EXCEPT for commercial vehicles.

No one cares as it's a victimless non issue.
Maybe you are right (I don't think you are) but even if you are right don't expect it to stay like that......

Ask Andy Saunders how he got on with a 2.5 inch roof chop - not as radical as putting a bodyshape on top of another floor pan.

http://www.andysaunders.net/car/mentally-insane/


Edited by B'stard Child on Wednesday 22 January 19:41

V8RX7

26,973 posts

265 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
B'stard Child said:
Maybe you are right (I don't think you are) but even if you are right don't expect it to stay like that......
I'll take my chances.

I was stopped many years ago in a V8 engined Hi Lux on 36" tyres.

The police had 2 dog vans and 3 traffic cars in the end - all crawling all over it taking photos and measuring headlight height etc

I never heard anything afterwards.

B'stard Child

28,501 posts

248 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
V8RX7 said:
B'stard Child said:
Maybe you are right (I don't think you are) but even if you are right don't expect it to stay like that......
I'll take my chances.

I was stopped many years ago in a V8 engined Hi Lux on 36" tyres.

The police had 2 dog vans and 3 traffic cars in the end - all crawling all over it taking photos and measuring headlight height etc

I never heard anything afterwards.
Accept all of that and don't have any problem with that but our little hobby of modifying cars is getting harder whether we like it or not

V8RX7

26,973 posts

265 months

Wednesday 22nd January 2014
quotequote all
B'stard Child said:
Accept all of that and don't have any problem with that but our little hobby of modifying cars is getting harder whether we like it or not
I'm more worried about speed limits reducing, combined with vigorous enforcement and higher points awarded.

In the old days with worse cars, tyres and hospitals - you'd have to be an idiot to get caught (and prosecuted) 4x before getting a ban - now it's easy to get a ban for just two incidents and / or in a single trip.