Importing a Modified Vehicle

It seems with a more stable exchange rate and the ability to source vehicles via the Internet that many are choosing to import ready built rods at realistic prices. Many may be spurred on by the statement that SVA only applies to post 1998 vehicles and so that old steel motor won’t be a problem eh ?

Well, is anything that appears to be too good to be true ever true ? Well mixed answer on this question and scenario.

If it were a stock pre 1998 motor no worries at all but once it’s modified the approach all changes. “Well how would they know”,I can hear you all shouting in frustration? Simple answer is that they don’t need to know. If they feel in the slightest doubt they ask for confirmation of the vehicles identity from a recognized source, generally the Owners Clubs as listed on their V756 list.

Bear in mind that in the past the person looking at your vehicle from the local DRO wasn’t likely to have much knowledge of old vehicles, had little if any training, and so, if the paperwork and patina looked good, you were usually fine.

Since the answers to the consultation document were published, in July 2004, the DVLA has been training new inspectors plus retraining existing operatives. They have been given refresher courses at Hendon Police college and are so more aware of the CORRECT methods of applying rules which has generally varied from DRO to DRO based on ‘custom’.

The current approach appears to be that you make an application to register your vehicle at the local office, they attend for inspection, or you trailer the car to them , and if they feel concerned they then ask for confirmation of it’s integrity as above. Generally the clubs on the V756 lists are restorers and unlikely to be modified vehicle friendly though I know of some who will verify juice brakes and flathead V8s in some cars as ‘period’ modifications.

Now, the car doesn’t have to be stone stock as long as it meets the following laid down criteria it should still receive an age related plate without needing SVA.

Vehicles that have been rebuilt using a mix of new/used parts

In order to retain the original registration mark:

Cars and Car-Derived Vans must use:

The original unmodified chassis or unaltered bodyshell (i.e. body and chassis as one unit - monocoque); or

A new chassis or monocoque bodyshell of the same specification as the original supported by evidence from the dealer/manufacturer (e.g. receipt)

And two other major components from the original vehicle - see list below

Suspension (front & back)
Axles (both)
Transmission
Steering Assembly
Engine

If a second-hand chassis/monocoque bodyshell is used, the vehicle must pass a ESVA/SVA test after which a "Q" prefix registration number will be allocated.

N.B Vehicle Identification Check

From 7th April 2003, all cars and some tricycles (e.g. Robin Reliant) that are written off by an insurance company or declared scrapped by their owners due to accident damage will have to be notified to DVLA.
VIC has been introduced to deter criminals from disguising stolen cars with the identity of written off or scrapped ones. The check is designed to help confirm that the vehicle being returned to the road has been repaired following accident damage and has not been stolen.

For further information contact the Vehicle Operator Services Agency Website on www.vosa.gov.uk.

It is possible that by getting confirmation from the Owners club before stating the registration process and then supplying this, together with chassis and engine number photos, you may avoid inspection though , at the moment ,this still seems to vary from office to office.

So, the summary !

If the inspector looks at the car and agrees that it is a steel car built before 1998, and that it is standard, you will receive an age related plate.

If he looks at it and feels it has been modified but within the above criteria it should still receive an age related plate.

If he looks at it and feels it has been modified, but does not meet the above criteria ,but you have documentation that all work was carried prior to 98 you MAY still get an age related plate OR a Q plate.

If he looks at it and decides that the work looks so good that it must have been done AFTER 1998 , and you have no proof to the contrary you WILL be sent for SVA.