Someone trying to claim old numberplate with just chassis nu
Discussion
My partners late fathers motorbike was completely destroyed in a fire in 1992. Some burnt out scraps remained in our shed but nothing else. It has a rare numberplate which we've not been able to use as bike no longer exists.
Out of the blue we've received a DVLA letter saying someone else is claiming the vehicle (32 years after it was destroyed) and wants to register the number.
DVLA have said we can't do anything to challenge this as if the person has the chassis number they can claim the reg number.
When we questioned dvla that surely that can't be right as you could just go around sourcing chassis numbers and trying to get plates transferred to you, the women got flustered and said something along the lines of, oh yeah I didn't think about that.
It doesn't sound logical, has anyone experienced this or got any insight as to how it works?
TIA
Out of the blue we've received a DVLA letter saying someone else is claiming the vehicle (32 years after it was destroyed) and wants to register the number.
DVLA have said we can't do anything to challenge this as if the person has the chassis number they can claim the reg number.
When we questioned dvla that surely that can't be right as you could just go around sourcing chassis numbers and trying to get plates transferred to you, the women got flustered and said something along the lines of, oh yeah I didn't think about that.
It doesn't sound logical, has anyone experienced this or got any insight as to how it works?
TIA
davehRS4 said:
My partners late fathers motorbike was completely destroyed in a fire in 1992. Some burnt out scraps remained in our shed but nothing else. It has a rare numberplate which we've not been able to use as bike no longer exists.
Out of the blue we've received a DVLA letter saying someone else is claiming the vehicle (32 years after it was destroyed) and wants to register the number.
DVLA have said we can't do anything to challenge this as if the person has the chassis number they can claim the reg number.
When we questioned dvla that surely that can't be right as you could just go around sourcing chassis numbers and trying to get plates transferred to you, the women got flustered and said something along the lines of, oh yeah I didn't think about that.
It doesn't sound logical, has anyone experienced this or got any insight as to how it works?
TIA
Doesnt an HPI check give you the chassis number?Out of the blue we've received a DVLA letter saying someone else is claiming the vehicle (32 years after it was destroyed) and wants to register the number.
DVLA have said we can't do anything to challenge this as if the person has the chassis number they can claim the reg number.
When we questioned dvla that surely that can't be right as you could just go around sourcing chassis numbers and trying to get plates transferred to you, the women got flustered and said something along the lines of, oh yeah I didn't think about that.
It doesn't sound logical, has anyone experienced this or got any insight as to how it works?
TIA
Is someone going around HPI'ing old but valuable number plates, then claiming the reg?
When you check tax it shows correct details with it last being taxed in 1982. We've still got old v5s from when it was on the road. Surely someone can't just apply and with a chassis number (not sure how they got it) and get what is probably a reg which would cost a bit of cash. It's understandly worth a lot sentimentality wise so keen to stop whoever is trying to do this. Dvla said they couldn't tell us who was registering it but could confirm if we asked "is it X"
davehRS4 said:
When you check tax it shows correct details with it last being taxed in 1982. We've still got old v5s from when it was on the road. Surely someone can't just apply and with a chassis number (not sure how they got it) and get what is probably a reg which would cost a bit of cash. It's understandly worth a lot sentimentality wise so keen to stop whoever is trying to do this. Dvla said they couldn't tell us who was registering it but could confirm if we asked "is it X"
Ah. Sounds from what you're saying as if the motor-bike was never transferred from the deceased's name to anyone else's, perhaps as a result of the fire rendering the thing worthless. As this predates 1998, and the introduction of SORN, it wouldn't have mattered at the time - back then, vehicle registrations could effectively 'lapse'. I'll also take a wild guess that you are, or someone involved is, still resident at the address of the deceased. Was the DVLA letter addressed to him?
As for applying to claim the registration number using a chassis number, yes you can - there's a scheme in place to allow owners to reclaim vehicles' original registrations, where they have been lost. Doing so is more complicated than simply looking up a chassis number, however. One also needs to be able to provide documentary evidence that the vehicle in question was originally registered under that number, and provide 'proof of life' of the conveyance itself.
It's possible, then, that someone has got a motor-bike of equivalent specification and is trying to ring the identity of the deceased relative's machine on to it, in order to get hold of the allegedly valuable number for onward transfer. Only problem with that, of course, is that whoever was doing that would have to know a little bit about the circumstances - otherwise, how would anyone know that motor-bike X, which hasn't really existed since 1992, had a desirable number. Could this be an inside job (sorry to cast nasturtiums)?
Finally, you can probably stop this happening by writing to the DVLA and explaining everything in detail. Be warned, though, that doing so will probably result in the bike's record closing once and for all and the number disappearing into the ether. From what you've said, you've got no right to it either - you can't transfer a number off a vehicle that no longer exists in the real world, regardless of who 'owns' the bike on paper after probate (assume that's done and dusted).
davehRS4 said:
It has a rare numberplate which we've not been able to use as bike no longer exists.
davehRS4 said:
Out of the blue we've received a DVLA letter saying someone else is claiming the vehicle (32 years after it was destroyed) and wants to register the number.
If you can't use the number because the bike no longer exists then what use is it to someone else? Surely they won't be able to use it either, for the same reason?Not trying to to be pedantic but someone isn't trying to claim the plate, they are claiming registered keeper of the vehicle (regardless if it exists or not).
As it doesn't exist, the new v5 will be useless to someone unless they have a similar vehicle to:
a) permanently ring
b) temporary ring to get the number plate onto a v778, if it is transferable. (vehicle has to have been taxed or had a SORN continuously for the past 5 years
and be taxed currently or have a SORN in place - if it’s had a SORN in place for more than 5 years, it must be taxed and have an MOT certificate)
I would be asking questions of any owners groups there might be for make / model as I suspect there is a soon to be an iffy example!
As it doesn't exist, the new v5 will be useless to someone unless they have a similar vehicle to:
a) permanently ring
b) temporary ring to get the number plate onto a v778, if it is transferable. (vehicle has to have been taxed or had a SORN continuously for the past 5 years
and be taxed currently or have a SORN in place - if it’s had a SORN in place for more than 5 years, it must be taxed and have an MOT certificate)
I would be asking questions of any owners groups there might be for make / model as I suspect there is a soon to be an iffy example!
Edited by BenEK9 on Sunday 9th March 20:44
Legacywr said:
The way I see it is, the reg is still registered to said vehicle, you won’t be able to assign it to another vehicle without the current vehicle being MOT’d. So whoever is trying to acquire it won’t be able to either?
If they put the number on a similar motorcycle they might be able to get an MOT. That’s illegal I think but they might get away with it.bad company said:
Legacywr said:
The way I see it is, the reg is still registered to said vehicle, you won’t be able to assign it to another vehicle without the current vehicle being MOT’d. So whoever is trying to acquire it won’t be able to either?
If they put the number on a similar motorcycle they might be able to get an MOT. That’s illegal I think but they might get away with it.OP - can you read a chassis number / frame number from the 'burnt out scraps? (do motorbikes have chassis numbers or frame numbers??)
Is there what you could describe as a chassis / frame in there amongst the 'scraps'?
I think that if you have a chassis/frame then the bike exists and you have it, which will form the basis of your claim.
Is there what you could describe as a chassis / frame in there amongst the 'scraps'?
I think that if you have a chassis/frame then the bike exists and you have it, which will form the basis of your claim.
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