Q plates

[grumbas]

Looking at getting myself a second-hand kit ready for summer.

I remember seeing somewhere before about age related plates being far more desirable than Q plates.

Is this the case, and if so what's the logic behind it?

[h4muf]

Not really.

The old stigma of q plates are now,largely forgotten.

Plus it`s emissions only come mot time

[Lost my mojo]

Far more important to look at quality of build and spec of a car than what the number plate starts with IMO anyway.

[grumbas]

Lost my mojo said:

Far more important to look at quality of build and spec of a car than what the number plate starts with IMO anyway.

That's the plan, was wondering if the Q plate stigma needed to be factored into the equation.

I couldn't care less what's on the plate, but obviously if it could become a factor in resale and future value then I need to factor it into the buying equation.

[Snake the Sniper]

It used to be an issue, but since there are a lot more home builds, and a lot of BECs, the Q plate stigma has mostly disappeared. I never understood it myself, as it made things easier for the owner! You could fit any engine you liked and never have an emissions test. I could understand with some Caterhams for example, where they supply pretty much everything, as it would imply some strange divergence from stock spec, but then how many kit cars stay stock for long?

[fw500]

Depends who you ask IMO. My car should really have been a Q plate but I was overjoyed when presented with an 08 registration. If I were buying a second hand kit I wouldn't be put off by a Q plate in the slightest but I'd prefer an age plate.

[Steve_D]

If the kit is retro like a JBA, marlin, etc. then you would probably want to fit a plate which reflected the 30's styling. If the kit had modern lines then a current plate would be desirable.
For the majority of kits then a Q matters not.
Condition and build quality are what you look for.

Steve

[mikeveal]

Q PLATES.

Q plates can never be changed for an age related plate - no chance of putting a personalised plate on.

Joe public sees a Q plate and immediately thinks 'Kit Car'. There is a perception amoungst the public that kit cars are pretty awful. This is largely based IMHO on the kits of the 1980's.

If you'd rather that Joe Public sees your car and wonders if it's expensive exotica or if it's a well built kit, then an age realted plate will help.

However, if you really don't give a toss what other people think, save yourself a lot of expense and go for a Q.



EMISSIONS TESTING.


I'm afraid I have bad news for those posters who think that Q plate automatically gets them a visual smoke test at MOT time rather than an emissions test. This is not the case.

Here is what's supposed to happen:

At registration time the DVLA bod ascertains the age of your engine and records the type of test applicable. I think this goes on the V5, but I could be wrong.

The type of emissions test is based on the year of manufacture of your engine.

At MOT time, the test station will contact the DVLA to determine the type of emissions test required. The MOT station types in your registration, and the DVLA computer returns the emissions test type.

Now some good news.
1/ The DVLA bods issuing registration marks are notoriously bad at doing this properly. I know of at least one kit registration where an emissions test should have been allocated, but the form was left blank, so a visible smoke test will be carried out at MOT time.

2/ The MOT stations don't yet have the computer infostructure to make this happen seamlessly. But it is being rolled out.

[Mr2Mike]

mikeveal said:

At registration time the DVLA bod ascertains the age of your engine and records the type of test applicable. I think this goes on the V5, but I could be wrong.

Not according to the MOT manual, which states "Vehicles having a Q plate registration when presented for MOT are to
be treated as being first used on 1 January 1971, or"

[migwell]

SVA and MOT are different tests though

[Mr2Mike]

migwell said:

SVA and MOT are different tests though

Yes I quoted the wrong bit

The point I was attempting to make was that the MOT manual mentions nothing about the MOT station contacting the DVLA to determine emissions standards for Q plate cars. Perhaps this is a recent change, and the online MOT manual is out of date? That said they don't usually apply changes like this retrospectively.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Wednesday 4th March 19:15

[mikeveal]

Mr2Mike said:

migwell said:

SVA and MOT are different tests though

Yes I quoted the wrong bit

The point I was attempting to make was that the MOT manual mentions nothing about the MOT station contacting the DVLA to determine emissions standards for Q plate cars. Perhaps this is a recent change, and the online MOT manual is out of date? That said they don't usually apply changes like this retrospectively.

Edited by Mr2Mike on Wednesday 4th March 19:15

Mr2Mike, you're right. At the moment they can't do this. The infrastructure doesn't exist. I am assured that it is planned though. Anyone who relies on a Q plate automatically getting them a visible smoke check rather than an emissions check is asking for trouble at some future time.
Sure, there is nothing that can be done about the older Q's, but anything thats gone through SVA and had it's details properly logged is liable for the new scheme, when and if they implement it.

[Justin S]

A Q plate car is listed as 'parts of an unkown age' Therefore as I have had done, just a visual smoke test.There is no way they can tell an most engines age.Mine had the block skimmed, so had no number and the car was not built with the original number.I made up a number and stamped it on.