"1.3 on Log Book"

[J4CKO]

Have seen a few cars where they are adverstised as having a 1.8 16V engine, but they list the car as being a 1.3 on the log book, thinking stuff with engine conversions, is there any point in not getting it changed when you convert it, it seems to be treated as a good feature, surely they must insure it as converted as otherwise its not actually insured, the VED difference cant be that much either ?

What is the point ? am I missing something, I dont think I would go to see a car based on that as it makes me wonder what other things are being hidden.

[Crow555]

That really riles me up about ads. To my knowledge, if your log book isn't accurate, you're breaking the law as well as committing insurance fraud.

As soon as I see "x on log book", I stop reading the ad.

[buggalugs]

It's a complete frikkin ball ache to get the DVLA to update their records, and as long as its in the same tax band then who cares? My 2.5 is still a 2.0 on the V62 for this reason.

It when people don't tell their insuance either that problems start....

[cheesesliceking]

To tempt morons to buy it and insure it as a 1.3 thus saving money whilst getting something slightly quicker.. which will possibly break.. or explode.. and kill babies.

[300bhp/ton]

J4CKO said:

Have seen a few cars where they are adverstised as having a 1.8 16V engine, but they list the car as being a 1.3 on the log book, thinking stuff with engine conversions, is there any point in not getting it changed when you convert it, it seems to be treated as a good feature, surely they must insure it as converted as otherwise its not actually insured, the VED difference cant be that much either ?

What is the point ? am I missing something, I dont think I would go to see a car based on that as it makes me wonder what other things are being hidden.

It's illegal. And in the case of 1.3 to 1.8 changes the VED group.

Likely to mostly invalidate your insurance too.

Insurance cheaper.

But mostly I blame the DVLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They make this problem because if you now tell them about an engine change they get all arsey and ask for a letter from the garage that fitted to confirm that it was new engine and blah blah blah.

Oh and the garage needs to be VAT registered too.

Such an arse ache for something simple. This kind of idiotic approach won't stop people swapping engines.... all it does it stop them telling the DVLA about it.

Which is how we have now ended up in the this mess where loads of cars are incorrectly described on their logbooks.

[Alec]

It's just another way of saying don't buy my car, I'm clearly a fool.

[soad]

cheesesliceking said:

To tempt morons to buy it and insure it as a 1.3 thus saving money whilst getting something slightly quicker

This! But it's hardly insured though

[eybic]

I suspect it is due to lower insurance premiums as they will look the reg up and use those details for a quote so unless the person tells them about the engine change they will still think it has the 1.3 in it. Of course they wont be insured anyway but at least on paper it will look insured.

[300bhp/ton]

Alec said:

It's just another way of saying don't buy my car, I'm clearly a fool.

So you've not actually tried telling the DVLA then?

[Alec]

300bhp/ton said:

So you've not actually tried telling the DVLA then?

I haven't, however I was suggesting that 99% of the people who put this are nefarious little rat bags who won't have tried either and are are pulling a fast with regards to insurance/tax/etc.

[SteveS Cup]

I bought a converted car... 125bhp 1.6 to a 1.8 20vt with 280bhp... first thing I asked was "is it a 1.8 20vt on the log book?" it was... set my mind at ease that I was buying it from a sensible, mature owner.

I nearly bought a C20LET Corsa a few years back... it was still registered as a 1.4 SRI... it put me off, he then had it MOT'd and it failed... the shell was rotten. Luckily I swerved a bullet on that one!

I do love a sleeper but there's so many bodged jobs by kids who want a 200bhp+ hatch but can't insure them.


Someone I kinda know has a 1.8VVC in a metro... not declared to either insurance / dvla... I've told my firend who know's him that he's screwed but I'm keen to find out whether it will be picked up or not.

EDIT - Friend of friend crashed the metro into the back of someone... Metro written off.

Edited by SteveS Cup on Friday 24th June 13:14

[300bhp/ton]

Alec said:

300bhp/ton said:

So you've not actually tried telling the DVLA then?

I haven't, however I was suggesting that 99% of the people who put this are nefarious little rat bags who won't have tried either and are are pulling a fast with regards to insurance/tax/etc.

Nothing like stereotyping

[J4CKO]

SteveS Cup said:

I bought a converted car... 125bhp 1.6 to a 1.8 20vt with 280bhp... first thing I asked was "is it a 1.8 20vt on the log book?" it was... set my mind at ease that I was buying it from a sensible, mature owner.

I nearly bought a C20LET Corsa a few years back... it was still registered as a 1.4 SRI... it put me off, he then had it MOT'd and it failed... the shell was rotten. Luckily I swerved a bullet on that one!

I do love a sleeper but there's so many bodged jobs by kids who want a 200bhp+ hatch but can't insure them.


Someone I kinda know has a 1.8VVC in a metro... not declared to either insurance / dvla... I've told my firend who know's him that he's screwed but I'm keen to find out whether it will be picked up or not.

Has he crashed it ?

[SteveS Cup]

J4CKO said:

Has he crashed it ?

st.... the most vital part of the story!!!!!

Yes! He went up the back of someone!!!

[Aphex]

I really dont understand the problem people have with this.

It may be registered as what it once was but that doesn't mean you have to insure it as a standard car does it? I had a 20vt in a mk1 golf and it was actually registered as a pervious engine swap (1.8 16v) but with the hassle of finding a garage that would supply me with an egineers report (of which no-one would do without asking for quite a bit of ££) I dont see the big fuss.

It was insured as the 20vt and the insurance company had no problem at all, you shouldn't let it put you off.

[SteveS Cup]

Aphex said:

I really dont understand the problem people have with this.

It may be registered as what it once was but that doesn't mean you have to insure it as a standard car does it? I had a 20vt in a mk1 golf and it was actually registered as a pervious engine swap (1.8 16v) but with the hassle of finding a garage that would supply me with an egineers report (of which no-one would do without asking for quite a bit of ££) I dont see the big fuss.

It was insured as the 20vt and the insurance company had no problem at all, you shouldn't let it put you off.

So there is no proof that your chassis code is mated with your engine code??? It's illegal and will surely cause problems if you're pulled by the police??? I had a mate who was pulled over and the police checked every single code on the car to make sure it married up.

[Liquid Knight]

Insurance fraud.

When I see a listing like that on eBay I always report it as it is encouraging criminal activity.

[johnpeat]

300bhp/ton said:

They make this problem because if you now tell them about an engine change they get all arsey and ask for a letter from the garage that fitted to confirm that it was new engine and blah blah blah.

What happens if you say "I did it myself"??

Do they start talking Q plates or somesuch nonsense??

A friend managed to run her Corsa's engine to death by ignoring a service light for 12,000 miles and the oil warning light for 8000 of those...

Someone she knows did an engine swap for her 'cheap' (he said the engine was 'just lying around' and still no alarm bells are ringing).

Year later (lights back on again I'm sure) she then goes to trade-in the car and the dealer picks-up the engine number discrepancy - checks - discovers it's from a stolen car...

Next thing she knows, the Police are at her house - long story short, she ended-up with fine and suspended sentence - and all from ignoring the service warning light eh?

Moral: sooner or later someone gets caught for this st.

[johnpeat]

Aphex said:

I really dont understand the problem people have with this.

I'm astonished that insurers don't use it as an excuse not to pay-out more often...

When you do a quote using the reg, it will determine the make/model/engine from a list which must be based on V5 data.

I doubt many people change that - thus they're making a false declaration and voiding their policies.

Even if you DO declare it, the insurer can easily see the data isn't matching and query it OR just wait until you claim and then ask why you've not informed the DVLA/use THAT as an excuse not to pay...

[300bhp/ton]

johnpeat said:

What happens if you say "I did it myself"??

Lots of hassle it appears. Essentially I think you'd have to have inspections, maybe a form or IVA and lots of other stuff and you still might end not being able to register it correctly.

I think most people when they get to this stage either give up or pay a local garage to write them a letter.....