DVLA vs engine change & the V5c..

[jontera]

Well who would have thought that being legal would be so much hard work...

right, this is where I at right now...

As some of you know, or remember, I have recently changed the block..So wanting to be all legal and that, I pulled out the old V5 and filled in the new engine section on the changes to vehicle...off I send it, as I have done in the past when i've fitted a new engine..then it's normally a case of sit back and wait for it to come back..

Well, not this time...back came a new V5c, but with the old engine number on it?...then today arrives a letter from said DVLA..this is what they want (quoted from said letter)

"to update our record with the change of vehicle details, you must provide evidence from the list below:

* A reciept of purchase on headed paper, from a garage, confirming the engine number, engine size (cc) and the fuel for the replacement engine.
* An inspection report from a body such as the AA or RAC
* An inspection report provided for insurance purposes.
* Written confirmation from the engine manufacturer showing the engine number and size."

So I'm going to out of pocket even further, just to be legal and above board. the engine came from a fellow FOG member, so no reciept from a garage on headed paper..don't need an inspection report for insurance purposes..that leaves AA/RAC (=££'s) or written confirmation from VX.

so what should I do?..never before had this problem..the replacement engine came from a uk registered car, and the engine number/fuel type & size is already in their database..so yet again it's a case of me having to prove what they already know, just like "can you report to your local police station with your documents, please" that they know within a matter of seconds at the roadside...

yes I am angry about this, i might just smash the duck out of a jellybaby (the sweet, not the FOG member..)

[N1ova]

I personally wouldnt bother. As long as it the same cc leave well alone

[jellybaby]

Would a local garage surfice i wonder. Not sure what would go in report dont know what aa charge. But what a hassle

[MG Autos (Mark)]

To be honest the :

.A reciept of purchase on headed paper, from a garage, confirming the engine number, engine size (cc) and the fuel for the replacement engine.
.An inspection report from a body such as the AA or RAC
.An inspection report provided for insurance purposes.
.Written confirmation from the engine manufacturer showing the engine number and size.

Have been the rules for over a decade but it's always been a bit "hit & miss" with the DVLA if they actually inforced it or not

Most independent garages would probably be happy to to do you a quick inspection and report for £20 to £30. They normally just put something along the lines of "For the purpose of insuring the vehicle and to meet the legal requirements of any underwriters we can confirm that the vehicle has been examined by (insert Mechanics name) who is employed as (enter position at company) and can confirm that the Vauxhall Frontera bearing the index number (insert reg number) does in fact now have a (insert cc & fuel type) with the engine of (insert engine number) installed and fully operational."

That will usually meet the requirements of point 3 and they will issue a amended V5

Not worth running the risk of not bothering to notify the DVLA of change of engines as with the ever increasing amount of VOSA check points popping up everywhere they can and will cease your car if they find any issues like this

[jontera]

I agree with Mark's reply, it really isn't worth the hassle anymore..ever since the motorist became the cash cow / golden goose of the economy..

thinking back it was nearly 15years ago since i last changed an engine..it just seemed so simple back then, not many ecu etc..

if it's only going to cost £20/£30ish, then not too bad..I had the idea of a fair few beer tokens more..

oh and living at the end/start of the motorways from liverpool docks, we've always got plenty of VOSA's prowling around..well just another motoring cost to be incured, and squeezed out of me while I smile and think what a pleasure it is to have the privilage of driving...

at least they put a paid envelope in for my response....so I should have a reason to be cheerful...oh i'm so happy

[adyclemo]

I had a similar issue when i changed the engine in my first car from a 1.3 to 1.1 as i already had this engine i didnt see the point in forking out for another, they wanted a report stating that the breaks/suspension etc were adequate to stop and cope with an engine of this size which were standard 1.3 breaks/suspension etc and that the engine does not increase the performance of the vehicle. I was like wtf a decrease in engine size and they spit their dummies out. Common sense goes along way something of which the DVLA have never heard of.

A mate of mind needed photo ID to renew his SIA security license so apllied for his provisional driving license with the idea of using this for photo ID and doing his driving lessons. They put the wrong date of birth on his provisional driving license which has now cost him his job as it has took the people who deal with his security license 2 weeks to send it back and is gonna take a few weeks for the dvla to sort out his provisional license and they aint interested.

The DVLA are the only people i know off who screw up so often its unreal. I know of lorry drivers who have renewed their photo license and when they got it back their HGV entitlement was not on there and they couldnt prove they had passed a test for it due to how long it had been so had to pay for another test.

[Mr Mud]

This is why most people just don't bother, if the DVLA want to make it such a big deal when you change an engine, just forget it like I did and if they don't like it they can do the other thing