Engine change and dvla. Not stag

[grumpy2]

Can someone please clarify the situation,

I'm thinking about buying a mini which has had an engine change from 998 to 1275, not uncommon I know. But for some reason the log book hasn't been updated with the new engines details (size and number)

As I'm particular about getting things 'right' I will have the details updated but will this cause any problems? I've heard some varying stories and would like to hear from someone on here who has actually done this recently if possible

Thanks in advance

Gary

[Stagnant]

Hi Gary.
About 20 odd years ago I bought a 2300 Rover SD1 that had been fitted with a 2600 engine but with no change in paperwork.
Like you I like things right, so I took the plunge and told DVLA and my insurance company.
Neither batted an eye-lid and from then on the car was officially a 2600.
But as I said, that was 20+ years ago; maybe not so easy now?

Mark

[Stocky]

Not quite the same situation but my V5C showed a non-nonsensical engine number and I informed the DVLA of the correct number. New V5C arrived soon after with no questions asked.

[StagnJag]

Wasn't there some legislation that came in last year that meant that you had to prove where a replacement engine came from? I can't remember exactly, but I do remember reading something - probably on here.

I don't know how feasible this is, but could the present owner not get the V5 corrected before you take it on, the risk - if any - is then his and not yours. Just a thought.

Regards

Dave

[73stagman]

Wasn't there some legislation that came in last year that meant that you had to prove where a replacement engine came from? I can't remember exactly, but I do remember reading something - probably on here.

I don't know how feasible this is, but could the present owner not get the V5 corrected before you take it on, the risk - if any - is then his and not yours. Just a thought.

Regards

Dave

There was something like this... mainly aimed at kit car builders but would also cover re shelled cars. There was some idea that it would be more difficult to ring or clone vehicles and make it a less attractive idea... the plan was that one would find it difficult to register a car that had known stolen parts... the trouble is of course a "receipt" is quite easy to get hold off and only covers dealers anyway not the likes of those of us who would quite happily swap parts rather than buy them..
I don't know how successful it was or how hard it is enforced

[Daz]

I changed the engine number of a Ford Prefect in October last year without any problems, just filled out the form and posted it off. The Mini 1275 is a common transplant I have done several in the past and for the more mature driver the insurance companies don’t even bother so long as you inform them. I think if you stuck a V8 in there they may want to see some sort of engineering report or even SVA.

[NickA]

https://www.gov.uk/change-vehicle-details-registration-certificate/how-to-tell-dvla

which seems straight forward but

https://www.gov.uk/change-vehicle-de...on-certificate and

https://www.gov.uk/change-vehicle-details-registration-certificate/what-evidence-to-give

says you need evidence

[Daz]

2. What evidence to give
You might need to give DVLA evidence or written confirmation of the changes to your vehicle.

Engine number or cylinder capacity (cc)
You’ll need to provide either:

a receipt for the replacement engine
written evidence from the manufacturer
an inspection report provided for insurance purposes
written confirmation on headed paper from a garage (if the change took place before you bought the vehicle)


I think the key word here is might, and even if you do, a quick note from the local garage will be evidence enough.
Not sure when these new rules came in but I have never been asked for evidence.

[SGN]

I did this September last year, I changed the info on the V5 and sent it with a letter on sheet of headed paper from a my local garage, they gave me a blank sheet and I wrote it myself, just saying they confirm they fitted the engine and put cc and engine number on it.

The only problem I had was when I rang about not getting the new V5 after 4 weeks, I was told they never got it and charged me £25 for a new one, a few days later two arrived, an updated one and the replacement I paid for.

[Nambo]

I was under the impression from the classic motorbike world, that this scheme of the DVLA requiring bills of sale etc was abandoned for being the stupis idea it was.
Folk in the bike scene have spare engines they have had lying around for decades, if you dont have a receipt for the engine you have had in the shed for 20 years, what are you supposed to do? maybe you have to sell it to a friend and he sells it back to you with a receipt?, etc etc.
Or maybe the DVLA should spend all the money they get to keep a database of stolen items to take the onus off of us.

[grumpy2]

Thanks for the replies gents, much of the above illustrates the confusion in my mind so I phoned dvla and guess what - they're confused too!

I could get the current owner to sort it out but I'm travelling a couple of hundred miles to view the car, the owner is wanting a quick sale at a low price and I'm hoping to complete an all in one sale before someone else jumps in. I'm trying to balance the risk/benefit.

Cheers

[marshman]

I think (in my opinion and recent experience) that the DVLA are only really concerned about more recent cars (post March 2001) when cars became taxed on C)2 emissions. Anything earlier and they just put it through "on the nod". We changed a 1994 Peugeot 106 from it's original 1.1 engine to a 1.3 "rally" engine by filling the relevant bits of the V5 (new engine no. and capacity) and got the V5 back 3 weeks later - no questions asked.

Roger

[flying farmer]

I think it all depends on who looks at the form at the DVLA. Since non of my cars has the original engine, and mostly capacity changes too I have been through this several times.
First time was fitting the Stag engine to the Estate, they wrote back saying I needed a receipt or letter from a garage. I wrote back saying I couldn't supply a receipt as the engine was coming out of one of my other cars and as the car was undergoing a long term restoration it wouldn't be going anywhere near a garage for a couple of years. They sent a new logbook with amended details with no further information.
Next was my Toledo when I fitted a Sprint engine, Had to get a letter for that one, and when I fitted the V8 to my other Toledo I had to do likewise. The garage who do the MOT's on the cars did me a couple of letters for no charge, I even did a draft for them. Just need to confirm engine no, capacity and fuel type.

Last one was for the project Stag, converting from RV8 to TV8 so both engine number and capacity change. Came straight back with no questions asked!

Neil

[marshman]

I think it all depends on who looks at the form at the DVLA. Since non of my cars has the original engine, and mostly capacity changes too I have been through this several times.
First time was fitting the Stag engine to the Estate, they wrote back saying I needed a receipt or letter from a garage. I wrote back saying I couldn't supply a receipt as the engine was coming out of one of my other cars and as the car was undergoing a long term restoration it wouldn't be going anywhere near a garage for a couple of years. They sent a new logbook with amended details with no further information.
Next was my Toledo when I fitted a Sprint engine, Had to get a letter for that one, and when I fitted the V8 to my other Toledo I had to do likewise. The garage who do the MOT's on the cars did me a couple of letters for no charge, I even did a draft for them. Just need to confirm engine no, capacity and fuel type.

Last one was for the project Stag, converting from RV8 to TV8 so both engine number and capacity change. Came straight back with no questions asked!

Neil

Think you are probably right Neil, depends whose desk the V5 lands on - if it's a jobsworths desk they will bounce it back and ask for more paper to cover their a£$e with, if it lands on the desk of someone with a bit of common sense they will look at the age of the car and "rubber stamp" it.

To be honest in all my dealings with the DVLA - and I've had a few including importing cars, re-registering, getting age related plates, changing taxation class, changing car details (engine, colour) etc. etc. I've never had a real problem (either with the people at Swansea or at the local office).

Roger

[grumpy2]

Don't really have a friendly garage as I do all my own work (with help sometimes too, thanks brian). So that's not going to be the easiest thing. I have a pal who has a tame garage man and I may speak with him about it. Think I'm going to go belt and braces though. Fill the form in correctly, explaining letter and hopefully garage letter. May take a while to organise though but better safe than sorry

Cheers gents and look out for the pics if I get it, it's a little belter!