Section : General

inspection prior to V5 being issued

Posted By : Mark O'Connor, 04-Jul-2007, 01:42pm

• inspection prior to V5 being issued

  Posted By : Paul Dearing, 04-Jul-2007, 04:01pm

  I rebuilt a 1972 MG (shock horror, but I'm better now). If a car has not been actively registered (i.e taxed, change of address etc) for some time, it is likely that the DVLA records have not been transferred onto new computer systems as they come along. Generally what happens when a computer system of this size is introduced is that the old records remain on the old system until a renewal or change is effected. At that time, the new system scrapes the records of the old system. This avoids having to load millions of records from old to new in one big bang. Of course, the link between old and new systems only goes on for a few years and if a car has been lounging in a barn for that time, it disappears and the DVLA likes to check that old cars really exist before they allow them back.
  
  I didn't even know the correct number plate for my MG so I had to get it inspected at Stanmore DVLA office after it had an MOT done on just the chassis number. All they wanted to do was to make sure the car actually existed and was not a ringer or cut/shut. The inspector opened the bonnet, checked the chassis plate against his records and then wished me good day.They also gave me a new number that day. No charge. Having a Heritage Certificate to prove original registration date was essential.

  • inspection prior to V5 being issued

    Posted By : Paul Dearing, 04-Jul-2007, 04:06pm

    PS to preceding post.
    
    If you get a lovely coloured Heritage Certificate (cost £28 or thereabouts) get a good quality colour photocopy of it.
    
    When I took my certificate to Stanmore DVLA they demanded to keep the certificate for their records. Luckily I had a earlier letter from the Heritage people as well which they took instead. Just tell them that the colour copy is the real thing.
    
    
    
    

    • inspection prior to V5 being issued

      Posted By : Mark O'Connor, 04-Jul-2007, 04:14pm

      Thanks for that Paul,
      
      I've got the Heritage Certificate, so I'll get a colour copy just in case.
      
      A few more weeks needed on the car yet, but it's getting there.

      • inspection prior to V5 being issued

        Posted By : Mark O'Connor, 31-Jul-2007, 07:52pm

        Long story short (ish), after phoning round the Bangor and Chester DVLA offices (you can't speak to them directly over the phone, everything has to be relayed through Swansea then they call you back!), I managed to speak to the local inspector who happened to be in the Chester office when they returned the call.
        
        A minor miracle in itself, as the lady I spoke to had no record of my details being forwarded from Swansea. Then, after I'd begun to lose the will to live, brought on by dehydration through questioning her as to who actually had my car's records sent in 8 weeks previously, she piped up with "oh, I'll go and check the book"..........(5 minutes of nothing).... then "oh yes, he will be out on the 30th of July, it's in the book. He's inspecting a car here now, I'll get him to call you back when he's finished ".
        
        Great bloke, it turns out he is restoring a Spitfire, based on the fact that when he was little he remembers his dad buying a car. When they went to collect it there was a Spitfire in the showroom, the young lad wanted the Spitfire, but as there was a need for a family car his dad wouldn't listen to reason (fascist)! Anyway this stuck with him, and now he's trying to overcome the trauma.
        
        He turned up on Monday, said everything looks right, and I should have the V5 in 4 weeks.
        
        No doubt there'll be a number of twists and turns before I have the paper in my grubby little mitts, but so far Big Brother has a face and hasn't got me as far as room 101.
        
        Moral of the story, (please feel free to add your own).