In my defense...

Get a vehicle registration number

DVLA uses a points system to decide what registration number to give a radically altered vehicle.

Keep the original registration number

Your vehicle must have 8 or more points from the table below if you want to keep the original registration number. 5 of these points must come from having the original or new and unmodified chassis, monocoque bodyshell or frame.


Part Points

Chassis, monocoque bodyshell (body and chassis as one unit) or frame - original or new and unmodified (direct from manufacturer) 5

Suspension (front and back) - original 2

Axles (both) - original 2

Transmission - original 2

Steering assembly - original 2

Engine - original 1


You need 8 points to keep the original registration, so changing the engine and box loses you 3 points leaving you 11 providing you don't modify the bodyshell. Brakes are free providing you keep the original axles. You just have to MOT it because of the engine change.
 
I know about the 8 point rule and VHI status, but thought it was VHI that determined free car tax.

Never mind though, if I find I have to pay car tax I won't be swapping the engine :)
 
VHI (road tax exemption) and MOT exemption are two totally different things. VHI does determine the free tax, but if the car is already taxed Historic, providing you retain 8 points you retain the free tax.

The problem with asking DVLA is that most of the people working there haven't got a clue what their own rules are.
 
They do make it rather complicated.

The problem is, that it is left to the registered keeper to declare his/her vehicle as a VHI (Vehicle of Historic Interest) and what if he gets it wrong? What would happen to your car if you self-declared it a VHI and it turned out not to be?

The rules on engines are - Engine – alternative cubic capacities of the same basic engine and alternative original equipment engines are not considered a substantial change. If the number of cylinders in an engine is different from the original, it is likely to be, but not necessarily, the case that the current engine is not alternative original equipment.

So, dropping a V8 into a car which should have a straight 6 is not alternative equipment, but not necessarily the case?

Considering also that it's a Rover engine in a Vauxhall doesn't help the case either.

But, the rules also state - changes that are made to preserve a vehicle, which in all cases must be when original type parts are no longer reasonably available. It can be argued that Cresta engine parts are difficult to get hold of, whilst Rover v8 parts are very easy.

It can also be argued that fitting a 3.5L 150bhp engine from a 1972 car, into a 1970 car designed to have a 3.3L 140bhp engine, isn't that different.

Back to the question - what happens if I get it wrong? Fines for not having an MOT, back tax at god knows how much?
 
I don't think that if it's a standard car as it is, taxed in the Historic class, and you change just the engine and box to a RV8/LT77 so retaining 11 points you will not be doing anything wrong, and if you MOT it every year then you won't be getting any fines for that.

What you are proposing to do is a well trodden path, and well within the guidelines set out by DVLA.

I don't see any problem.
 
PS. Just remember that when you send off the V5C to DVLA to notify them of the change in engine number and capacity, to put in a note to tell them that no further documentation is required because in the Historic taxation class engine capacity has no relevance to the amount of tax paid. (ie, they're all zero rated regardless of engine capacity).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top