Registering a vehicle

[K12AN]

OK guys...

Imagine you've just built a prototype vehicle. Its not a kit car, or a production replica.

How would you go about making this road legal? I know it needs to be SVA tested, but its not based on anything!

Its got an audi engine and running gear, but nothing else - everything else is custom made.

Is it possible to get this car road legal and insure it?

Advice and experience would be much appreciated.

[Vindi_andy]

IMHO it would be treated very much like a Locost or a kitcar

So IVA required then registration and unless enough components come from the same vehicle or are all new except one which has been reconditioned then they will issue a Q plate as "age indetermined"

If all new then a new reg and if all from one donor then an age related plate unless u are very lucky like me and get a new plate even tho i used donor parts

If you go over to Locost builders forum there are plenty of guys doing original design vehicles

Edited by Vindi_andy on Friday 15th May 14:18

[K12AN]

All parts are brand new, but mostly fabricated - so hopefully I would get an age-related plate?

How does the road tax work for these custom built cars?

[Vindi_andy]

If they are new including major components like engine and gearbox and running gear then you would probably get a new reg but dont quote me on that

[K12AN]

What about road tax...would I have to pay £400 per year, or is there a way of registering in order to minimise this?

If its based on emissions, I will probably have to pay full wack.

[Vindi_andy]

What engine size is it?

I just paid £180 for a 2.0 l pre emmisions engine

[K12AN]

Its a 2.8 v6 twin turbo...so it will be full wack if its based on emissions.

[gingerpaul]

You might find it ends up marked as PLG which would be about £180 a year. They don't have a way of doing a full emissions test at the SVA/IVA and I don't think you have to supply emissions data about the engine to successfully register with the DVLA. I left the vast majority of the boxes empty when I filled my registration forms out.

[K12AN]

Thats what I am hoping for...

A friend of mine has a TVR Tuscan and his is a PLG!!!

[Steve_D]

Your first port of call is your local DVLA office who will have to allocate a VIN number for your chassis. Without the VIN you cannot apply for the IVA. It is actually possible to make up your own chassis number but it only adds confusion.
The only way you can be taxed based on emissions is if the vehicle is type approved. Part of this for a major manufacturer is proving the emissions. Without this you will be PLG with tax at £185.
For MOT and IVA emissions test it will be based on the year of your engine.

Emissions in a nutshell.
The emissions requirement all revolves around the ‘Effective Date’ of the engine. This being the 1st January before the date of manufacture of the engine. If you cannot prove the manf. Date then you will be tested as the engine being 1st August 1997 Fast Idle (2500 to 3000rpm) CO<=0.3% HC<=200ppm Lambda 0.97 to 1.03 Idle (450 to 1500rpm) CO<=0.3%. i.e. cat reqd.


Prove the engine date and:-
Before 1st Aug 1975……….Visual only.
Before 31st July 1986……… Visual + CO<=4.5% HC<=1200ppm
Before 31st July 1992……… Visual + CO<=3.5% HC<=1200ppm
Before 31st July 1995……… CO<=3.5% HC<=1200ppm
After 1st Aug 1995……… Fast Idle (2500 to 3000rpm) CO<=0.3% HC<=200ppm Lambda 0.97 to 1.03 Idle (450 to 1500rpm) CO<=0.3%. i.e. cat reqd.

Steve