Discussion
I am building an MEV etrike, officially an electrically powered 3 wheeled moped. I need a VIN number issuing by the DVLA in order to go for the MSVA test this has happened on my last build however the Robots at Swansea won't even let me speak to anyone at the local office. I need the VIN to submit an application but I can fill in an a[pplication until I have a VIN, catch 22.
Has anyone else had success in getting through to your local office, my local office is not that local and so visiting in person would be difficult. Any suggestions, apart from move to Belgium.
Has anyone else had success in getting through to your local office, my local office is not that local and so visiting in person would be difficult. Any suggestions, apart from move to Belgium.
Did MEV not stamp in a VIN?
If not ask them for one.
If they don't do them then make up your own.
Many kit manufacturers just use the kit name and some digits at the end to make up 17 characters.
This will then need to be stamped into the chassis in 3.5mm minimum height characters. The book says on the right hand side of the vehicle but does not define where however I expect the inspector would think it should be at the front of the car.
You will also need a VIN plate. Normally made from ali and bearing the manufacturers name (In capitals) and the axle and gross weights. This should be riveted in place on a bulkhead but must be visible.
When you make your submission they may come back and ask for an engineers report confirming the VIN has been stamped. If so then just get an MOT station to do it. It will then have the (VOSA) station number on the report so there can be little argument as to its validity.
Steve
If not ask them for one.
If they don't do them then make up your own.
Many kit manufacturers just use the kit name and some digits at the end to make up 17 characters.
This will then need to be stamped into the chassis in 3.5mm minimum height characters. The book says on the right hand side of the vehicle but does not define where however I expect the inspector would think it should be at the front of the car.
You will also need a VIN plate. Normally made from ali and bearing the manufacturers name (In capitals) and the axle and gross weights. This should be riveted in place on a bulkhead but must be visible.
When you make your submission they may come back and ask for an engineers report confirming the VIN has been stamped. If so then just get an MOT station to do it. It will then have the (VOSA) station number on the report so there can be little argument as to its validity.
Steve
Beware! Some DVLA local offices are a law unto themselves. I've know of one recent case where the Borehamwood office rejected a manufacturer's VIN (VOSA had no problem with it at the IVA, which it passed) and three weeks later the car was still not on the road as the various people involved argued it out. I haven't heard how it got resolved, if at all, maybe the customer has stopped struggling now the bad weather has started.
I suggest you call into your local DVLA office, ask to speak to the kit car specialist (if you are lucky enough that they have one) and check it out with them well before the test and registration.
I suggest you call into your local DVLA office, ask to speak to the kit car specialist (if you are lucky enough that they have one) and check it out with them well before the test and registration.
Edited by singlecoil on Wednesday 27th October 22:24
The Etrike is built from plans and hence, you start off with a load of tube from the steel merchants,MEV just supply the plans and hence is not strictly a kit.
It would be good if i could speak to the kit car specialist, but Swansea won't put me through to them at my local office as it my question, "I need a VIN number for my kitcar" is not one of the standard questions they can phone me back about.
I am going to have to take the day off work and visit in person to get it sorted, thats direct government for you.
It would be good if i could speak to the kit car specialist, but Swansea won't put me through to them at my local office as it my question, "I need a VIN number for my kitcar" is not one of the standard questions they can phone me back about.
I am going to have to take the day off work and visit in person to get it sorted, thats direct government for you.
avann600 said:
Russ Bost said:
It should be 17 characters, a mix of alphanumeric & should end with digits, ie 0001 or similar, it should be unique & unlikely to be duplicated, other than that TTBOMK there are no other requirements. HTH
In that case try this one...D MAN AT DVLA I5 A T001
batbuilder92 said:
I am building an MEV etrike, officially an electrically powered 3 wheeled moped. I need a VIN number issuing by the DVLA in order to go for the MSVA test this has happened on my last build however the Robots at Swansea won't even let me speak to anyone at the local office. I need the VIN to submit an application but I can fill in an a[pplication until I have a VIN, catch 22.
Has anyone else had success in getting through to your local office, my local office is not that local and so visiting in person would be difficult. Any suggestions, apart from move to Belgium.
I just wrote a letter to Chester DVLA office telling them I was building a kit car using a single donor (just to keep things simple) and requested they send me a VIN. It arrived 3 days later.Has anyone else had success in getting through to your local office, my local office is not that local and so visiting in person would be difficult. Any suggestions, apart from move to Belgium.
A copy of the letter.
I am writing to request the issue of a Vehicle Identification Number for a newly built vehicle.
I am currently building a kit car (Haynes Roadster) which will need to have an IVA test. After speaking to the VOSA regarding the booking of an IVA test, I have been informed that the vehicle will require a VIN prior to the test.
The VOSA have advised against making up my own 17 digit VIN and suggest that I contact my local DVLA office to have one officially issued.
I am unsure of the process to request a VIN and would like to request that you issue me with a VIN for the vehicle or provide me with the necessary information or application form to be issued with a VIN.
The car I am building is a Haynes Roadster. It is a Lotus 7 Replica Kit car based on a single Mazda MX5 donor car. All the running gear such as engine, gearbox, braking system, differential, steering etc is taken from the MX5. If necessary I can provide the registration/identification details of the Mazda MX5 that I have used for parts to build the kit car.
Should you need to contact me regarding my request you can either write to me using the address provided at the top of the letter or you can call me on
It has to be a request by letter to your local office though. I tried phoning up and all you get is Swansea call centre people who because the you are not trying to do something simple just give "computer says no" and won't let you speak to anyone at the local office. One letter though and the VIN came through a few days later. Get one now before they close all the local offices.
i wrote a letter for a bespoke built car as mine is not a kit i just bought the body, making my own chassis so used my initials for manufacturer. i got a swift response with a given chassis number i then had to take it to a garage for them to stamp and comfirm that it was on the chassis. then i had to return paperwork to local office, job done
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